Franklin County lawyer Russell Lee Leonard was censured today for violating Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 and 8.4(d). The court found that after representing three clients in a dispute against a real estate agent they claimed was working without a license, Leonard filed a complaint with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission about the realtor. However, he filed the complaint in the names of his clients, not his own, and without their knowledge. He also included a cover letter stating the clients asked him to file the complaint, which they had not. After being fined by the commission, the realtor sued Leonard and his clients, alleging they violated a settlement agreement previously signed. The court agreed and directed the four to reimburse the realtor the cost of his fine and attorney’s fees.

A number of lawyers have been reinstated after having been suspended for not completing required CLE hours in 2019 (15 lawyers), 2018 (7 lawyers), 2017 (three lawyers), 2016 (three lawyers), 2011 (one lawyer), 2009 (one lawyer), 2008 (one lawyer), 2007 (two lawyers) and 2006 (one lawyer). See all administrative suspensions and reinstatements on the TBA website.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Williamson County lawyer Matthew David Dunn for five years, with three years to be served on active suspension and two years to be served on probation. The court took the action after finding that Dunn failed to diligently respond to discovery requests and motions; comply with discovery obligations; appear for scheduled court hearings; halt the dismissal of his client’s case; and promptly inform his client of the dismissal. The court also found that he intentionally took advantage of his relationship with the client to pressure her to settle her claim and withdraw a disciplinary complaint. These actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.8(h)(2), 3.2, 3.4(c) and (d), 8.1(a) and 8.4(a), (c) and (d).

Davidson County lawyer James Broderick Johnson was censured today by the Board of Professional Responsibility with the condition that he pay fees owed to the board. The board took the action after determining that Johnson made a misrepresentation during a hearing, though he later corrected the statement. Johnson acknowledged that he violated Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3(a)(1) and 8.4(c).

Davidson County lawyer Ronald Andre Stewart was censured today by the Board of Professional Responsibility with the condition that he pay fees owed to the board. Stewart was retained to represent a client in a medical malpractice claim but delayed in filing the complaint and did not timely issue summonses on the defendants. Due to the delays, he dismissed the case without properly consulting his clients. Steward acknowledged that he violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2 and 8.4(a) and (c).

The law license of Davidson County lawyer Patrick Brocklin Parks was transferred to disability inactive status today pursuant to Section 27.4 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9. Parks may not practice law while on inactive status. He may seek reinstatement by showing clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

Shelby County lawyer Jahari Mabry Dowdy was censured today by the Board of Professional Responsibility. The board reports that it took the action after Dowdy failed to transfer funds into escrow while representing a client in a guardianship case. The board also reports that Dowdy did not respond to subsequent inquiries and directives from the court and the clerk and master, and failed to maintain good communication with the client. These actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 3.2, 3.4(c) and 8.4(g).

The Tennessee Supreme Court censured Davidson County lawyer Scott David Johannessen yesterday. The court found that after Johannessen assisted a client in preparing an appellate brief to be filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, he filed pleadings on behalf of a second client that had interests materially adverse to those of the first client. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.9(a) and 8.4(a).

San Mateo, California, lawyer Stephen Royce Mills was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Sept. 27. Mills had taken inactive status in July 2009 and received a suspension in November 2018. He petitioned the court to reinstate him on Sept. 10. The Board of Professional Responsibility reports that Mills had complied with all requirements for reinstatement and it found the petition to be satisfactory. The reinstatement was made retroactive to Sept. 10.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated two lawyers to the practice of law today. Kurt Joseph Pomrenke had been suspended on March 15 after the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended him for nine months. Pomrenke filed a petition for reinstatement, which the Board of Professional Responsibility found satisfactory. In addition, the court reinstated Rutherford County lawyer Walter Alan Rose with the condition that he enter into a monitoring agreement with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, work with a practice monitor and complete six additional CLE hours. Rose had been suspended in January 2017 for a period of three years, retroactive to Oct. 30, 2015.