On July 23, Washington County lawyer Harold Wayne Graves received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The board found that Graves violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.5(b), 1.15 and 1.16(d) while representing a client in a closed probate matter. Graves’ client was a named beneficiary who requested that Graves review the court record and other documentation to confirm the estate had been properly administered. The board found that the fee agreement failed to adequately define the scope of representation. The board also found that after agreeing to represent the client, Graves delayed taking action and failed to respond to the client’s communications. Finally, following discharge, Graves failed to respond to the client’s requests for file materials and a refund of fees.

Davidson County lawyer Douglas Mitchell Kirk was reinstated to the practice of law on July 9 after being on inactive status since May 6, 2021. Kirk filed a petition seeking reinstatement, which the Board of Professional Responsibility found to be satisfactory. The court issued its order on July 17.

Effective July 20, the Tennessee Supreme Court permanently disbarred Williamson County lawyer Connie Lynn Reguli from the practice of law. The court found that Reguli engaged in a pattern of misconduct, including posting “hyperbolic commentary” on social media containing false allegations about judges and judicial officials, publicly disclosing personal information of judges and justice system officials, urging social media followers to send judges harassing messages, intimidating judges and justice system officials, spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories, and defying court orders. The court determined that her public comments indicated she wished physical harm to judges and justice system officials, prompting them to fear for their and their families’ safety. In addition, the court found that Reguli defied a protective order and an Amber Alert and enabled a client to evade law enforcement by supplying a burner phone and hiding the client and her child inside her home. These actions violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(d); 3.1; 3.3(a)(1), (e) and (f); 3.4(c); 3.5(a) and (e); 3.6(a); 4.2 or 4.3; 4.4(a)(1); 5.1; 8.1; 8.2(a)(1) and (2); and 8.4(a), (c) and (d). Read more about the circumstances leading to disbarment in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts or read the Supreme Court opinion.

On July 17, Sevier County lawyer Robert Brandon White received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The board found that White violated the terms of a no contact order in a personal domestic matter, missed four scheduled court dates in different courts and did not provide notice to the court or opposing counsel, resulting in one notice to show cause and multiple rescheduled hearing dates. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.4 and 8.4(b), (d) and (g).

On July 17, Davidson County lawyer John David Carver received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The board found that Carver practiced law for two months, including participating in nine court hearings in three counties, while his license was administratively suspended for failure to comply with CLE requirements. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5, 3.4 and 8.4(d) and (g).

The Tennessee Supreme Court on July 15 directed Nevada lawyer William Henry Jackson III to respond to its inquiry why discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada should not also be imposed in Tennessee. The Nevada court suspended Jackson for six months and one day on April 17, but stayed the suspension for 24 months subject to certain conditions. The court took the action after Jackson admitted to sharing fees with a non-lawyer in excess of the reasonable cost of advertising for a single personal injury matter. Jackson has 30 days to respond or the court will impose identical discipline. View the Tennessee order.

Effective July 14, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Steven Carl Frazier from the practice of law for nine months, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation with conditions. The court directed Frazier to employ a practice monitor during the probationary period and incur no new misconduct complaints. The court took the action after receiving three complaints. It found that Frazier failed to adequately represent clients, communicate with his clients, act diligently and expedite litigation. Frazier agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 3.2 and 8.4. The court also imposed conditions on any future reinstatement to the practice of law.

Anderson County attorney David A. Stuart received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on July 10. The board determined that Stuart violated Rule of Professional Conduct 5.1(a) when he failed to supervise a nonlawyer employee at his firm. After agreeing to represent a client in an immigration matter, Stuart assigned the calendaring of applicable deadlines to the nonlawyer employee. That employee failed to calendar the deadline for filing a pleading and overlooked a notice that the government filed for an order of removal. As a result, no response was filed and an order of removal was entered. Stuart later filed a motion to reopen, which was granted by the tribunal.

Knox County lawyer Julia Anna Trant received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on July 10. The board determined that while representing a client before the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Trant failed to timely file documents as required by the court. Her actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2, 3.4 and 8.4.

Shelby County lawyer Victoria Williamson Gillard received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on July 10. The board found that she wrongfully withheld settlement funds from her client, who she was representing in a wrongful death case. After the parties reached a settlement, Gillard deposited the funds in her trust account because she reportedly had concerns about her client’s mental health. According to the board, she held the funds for a number of years and failed to communicate with her client during that time. In October 2025, the court directed Gillard to release the money to the Madison County Clerk and Master. She released the funds on Oct. 18, 2025. The board determined that her conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15 and 8.4.