TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Apr 14, 2026

The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld permanent disbarment of Knox County attorney Elliott J. Schuchardt. Beginning in 2019, the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) received complaints of professional misconduct by Schuchardt, including failure to comply with local rules and submission of legally deficient filings. The BPR also found that Schuchardt refused to provide a former client with his file and made threats to members of the legal community and the disciplinary counsel. It recommended disbarment. Schuchardt appealed to the Knox County Chancery Court, which affirmed the recommendation. Schuchardt then appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of Tennessee’s attorney-discipline system and the evidence supporting his disbarment. The court rejected the challenge, concluding that the lower court decisions were supported by substantial evidence. Schuchardt's actions were determined to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a)-(b), 1.5(b), 1.7(a)(1), 1.16(d), 3.2, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 4.2, 4.4(a)(1), 8.1(a), 8.2(a), 8.4(c) and 8.4(d). Read more in a press release or the opinion from the court.