The Tennessee Supreme Court on May 11 suspended Hamilton County attorney Patrick Bryant Hawley until further order from the court. On June 6, 2025, Hawley pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually exploiting a 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl and was sentenced on April 16 to 340 months in prison. The matter has been referred to the Board of Professional Responsibility to institute formal proceedings to determine the extent of the final discipline.

The Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Davidson County lawyer Nathaniel Foxworthy Greene to disability inactive status on May 11. Greene may not practice law while on inactive status. He may petition the court to return to the practice of law by showing that the disability has been removed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Hamilton County lawyer Michael Byron Tulloss to the active practice of law on May 4. Tulloss was placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on May 11, 2016. The Board of Professional Responsibility indicated the petition for reinstatement was satisfactory.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on May 5 dismissed a reinstatement petition filed by Georgia lawyer Meredith Gardial. On Feb. 23, Gardial filed a petition to reinstate her Tennessee law license. The Board of Professional Responsibility opposed the petition, noting that she had outstanding requirements with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education. On March 17, the court directed Gardial to satisfy those requirements by May 1 or face dismissal of her petition. It now reports that Gardial has not satisfied those requirements. It dismissed the petition without prejudice so she can refile once she completes all outstanding CLE obligations.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on April 30 directing that Washington County attorney Jeffrey Dennis Johnson will be reinstated to the active practice of law on May 1. Johnson was suspended by the court for two years on April 1, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation subject to conditions. During the probationary period, Johnson must employ a practice monitor and repay all costs of the disciplinary proceeding.

The Tennessee Supreme Court placed Davidson County lawyer Courtney Michelle Rogers Perrin on disability inactive status on April 29. Rogers Perrin may not practice law while on inactive status and must comply with the obligations and responsibilities of attorneys transferred to disability inactive status. She may return to the active practice of law by filing a petition and obtaining a court order granting the petition.

Knox County lawyer Robert Brian DeBusk received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 28. While working as an assistant district attorney, DeBusk discovered an email sent from a jailed defendant to his attorney. This intercepted email then became part of the basis for a motion to disqualify the district attorney’s office. DeBusk was subpoenaed to testify at a hearing on the motion. While in the hallway prior to testifying, DeBusk discussed the facts with an attorney not related to this matter, who then was called to testify. When asked about the facts, DeBusk stated “I don’t recall,” which was contrary to what he had discussed in the hallway. When further pressed on his recollection, DeBusk refused to answer by pleading the “Fifth.” Finally, DeBusk testified substantively about the facts of the matter. The court found that these actions violated Rules of Professional 8.4(c) and 8.4(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court on April 27 permanently disbarred Hamilton County lawyer Arthur C. Grisham Jr. from the practice of law. The court found that Grisham violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 and 1.4 when he knowingly and repeatedly failed to respond to court orders, pleadings and discovery requests; failed to communicate with his client about the impact of these actions; and failed to inform his client of the resulting dismissal of his action. Further, Grisham knowingly filed an appeal without informing his client and obtaining authorization, and knowingly ignored court orders to correct deficient pleadings, which resulted in the dismissal of the appeal. The court modified the recommendation of the Board of Professional Responsibility's hearing panel to impose a 10 year suspension. It said that a comparative analysis of similar cases and a review of American Bar Association (ABA) standards justified permanent disbarment.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on April 22 suspended 21 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee, 13 of whom also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. Lawyers reinstated in the last month include four suspended in 2026, one from 2025, one from 2025, one from 2024, one from 2023. TBA has administrative suspensions dating back to 2005. Be sure to check the Board of Professional Responsibility's website for the most up to date information on lawyers' licenses.

On April 23, Davidson County lawyer Cynthia Jane Bohn received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Bohn represented a mother in a custody dispute in which a guardian ad litem had been appointed for the children. Bohn met with the two minor children without the guardian ad litem present and discussed the pending litigation, telling the children they hypothetically could be put into foster care under some circumstances. She also grabbed the arm of one child and held it during the meeting. The court later disqualified Bohn from representing the mother. The court found her actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 4.2, 4.4 and 8.4(d).