Hamilton County lawyer Michael Eugene Richardson received a public censure from the Supreme Court of Tennessee yesterday. Richardson represented a client in a detainer and eviction action and designated his fee as non-refundable, but failed to obtain a written agreement signed by his client confirming the fee was non-refundable. The panel found his conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5 and 8.4. A public censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.

Williamson County lawyer Matthew David Dunn was yesterday disbarred from the practice of law by the Supreme Court of Tennessee. In 12 of the 31 separate disciplinary complaints filed against him, Dunn participated in a timeshare relief system that did not actually provide any relief to the complainants. Dunn would send a form letter to the timeshare agency, but then abandon each client. The remaining complaints involve Dunn assigning client files to associates within his firm. When the associates would leave, the client would remain with the Dunn Law Firm, but Dunn failed to communicate or work on the client’s file. Dunn must pay restitution in the amount of $95,621 and costs of the disciplinary proceeding. He may not return to the practice of law until an order of reinstatement has been entered by the Supreme Court.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Arkansas attorney Kimberly Ogden Sutton from the practice of law after finding that she failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. Sutton is precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by July 5. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday transferred the law license of New Jersey lawyer Deon Devall Owensby to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 27.4 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9. Owensby may not practice law while on inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the court by showing clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today disbarred Shelby County lawyer Paul James Springer and ordered him to pay restitution to three clients in the amount of $59,250. The court took the action based on three petitions for discipline that contained five complaints against him. The court found that Springer misappropriated settlement funds belonging to a client; engaged in criminal conduct as well as conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, misrepresentations and fraud; made material misrepresentations to clients; failed to reasonably communicate with clients; engaged in the unauthorized practice of law; failed to notify clients of his suspension; and failed to withdraw as attorney of record. His actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.7, 1.15-16, 4.2, 5.5, 8.1 and 8.4 (a), (b), (c), and (g).

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday removed disability inactive status from Davidson County lawyer Carla L. Arevalo. In November 2018, the court had transferred Arevalo to disability inactive status and referred her case to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine her capacity to practice law and respond to or defend against a disciplinary complaint. On April 23, the hearing panel determined that Arevalo was capable of practicing law and could participate in and defend herself in the disciplinary action. It recommended that the inactive status be dissolved and the disciplinary action be allowed to proceed. The court adopted the recommendation. A temporary suspension imposed in January 2018 remains in effect.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Sullivan County lawyer Jason R. McLellan for one year, with two months to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The court also directed him to make restitution to a former client. McLellan admitted violating Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.15, 1.16 and 8.4(a) and (d) when he made several unauthorized charges to a client’s credit card, failed to respond to questions about the fees, failed to have the client sign an employment agreement, failed to provide the client any invoices justifying the fees he charged, and failed to notify the client that he terminated representation.

The Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Shelby County lawyer Elizabeth Margaret Cummings to disability inactive status on May 7. The court said it reviewed documentation from Cummings and her medical provider and concluded she currently is incapacitated from continuing the practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court this week reinstated three lawyers previously on inactive status. Knox County Lynda Nine Blankenship was reinstated today, retroactive to May 1. She was placed on inactive status in March 1994. Virginia lawyer Cameron Ray Edlefsen was reinstated yesterday, retroactive to May 1. He was placed on inactive status in February 2008. South Carolina lawyer John Robert Sokohl Jr. was reinstated yesterday, retroactive to April 20. He was placed on inactive status in May 2008.

Shelby County lawyer Elizabeth Margaret Cummings was today transferred to disability inactive status by the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Cummings cannot practice law while on disability inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the state Supreme Court upon showing clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law.