The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the CLE Commission recently reported that 23 lawyers previously suspended for administrative violations have been reinstated. They include two suspended in 2006, one suspended in 2010, three suspended in 2013, one suspended in 2014, four suspended in 2017, four suspended in 2018, and eight suspended in 2019. See all lists of administrative suspensions and reinstatements.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended 19 attorneys last week for failure to pay the annual registration fee and/or file proof that client funds are being held in an IOLTA-compliant account. See the list of all lawyers suspended for fee and IOLTA violations in 2020 or access all administrative suspensions. View the fee suspension order or the IOLTA suspension order.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today disbarred Gregory Scott Norris from the practice of law and ordered him to pay restitution to six former clients totaling $6,000. The court took the action after finding that Norris failed to appear in court on numerous occasions, stopped corresponding with opposing attorneys, made incoherent arguments in court, took fees from clients for whom he did little-to-no work, failed to advise clients of his temporary suspension, failed to communicate with or return files to clients, and abandoned numerous client matters. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16(d), 3.2, 8.1, 8.4(a), (d) and (g).

The Tennessee Supreme Court today disbarred Campbell County lawyer Michael Glen Hatmaker from the practice of law. Hatmaker consented to disbarment because he could not successfully defend the charges alleged in nine complaints filed against him. As a condition of any reinstatement, Hatmaker agreed to make restitution of $60,000. His conduct was determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 3.4(c), 5.5, 8.1 and 8.4(a), (b), (c) and (g).

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Robert L. Booker from the practice of law for three years. The court found that Booker, while representing a seller of a music collection, concealed the identity of the purchaser from his client; withheld communications from his client; engaged in a conflict of interest; and sent inappropriate communications to the client. In a separate matter, Booker failed to disclose previous discipline from multiple states in his application for admission to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and engaged in improper billing practices. His actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4, 1.7(a), 1.16, 8.1(a) and 8.4(a) and (c).

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended James Austin Dukes from the practice of law until further notice. The court took the action after Dukes was found guilty of theft of $25,000 or more, theft of assets of the aged and exploitation of the infirm in the state of Louisiana. The court referred the matter to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine the extent of final discipline to be imposed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Knox County lawyer Mark Steven Graham from the practice of law after finding that he misappropriated funds and poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. He is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and he must cease representing existing clients by April 10.

By Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court entered today, the law license of Janice Yvonne Brown was transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 27.3 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9. Brown cannot practice law while on disability inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended North Carolina lawyer Jake Preston Evans from the practice of law for failure to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a disciplinary complaint. Supreme Court Rule 9 provides for immediate temporary suspension in these cases. Evans must immediately stop accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by April 9.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated two lawyers to the practice of law on Feb. 28. Illinois lawyer Rebecca Alixe Lipe was reinstated retroactive to Feb. 6. She had been placed on inactive status in June 2018 and military exempt status in January 2010. Hamilton County lawyer Leslie Anne Starritt Molinski was reinstated retroactive to Feb. 20. She had been placed on inactive status in January 2013.