Eight lawyers have been reinstated after being suspended for administration violations. Of that group, four had failed to comply with 2016 CLE requirements; one had failed to pay the 2016 registration fee and file notice that funds are held in accounts participating in the IOLTA program; one had failed to comply with 2015 CLE requirements; one had failed to pay the 2015 registration fee and file notice that funds are held in accounts participating in the IOLTA program; and one had failed to pay the 2014 registration fee. 

Rutherford County lawyer Walter Alan Rose was suspended from the practice of law for three years on Wednesday, retroactive to Oct. 30, 2015. Rose agreed to a conditional guilty plea for violating federal criminal law. In imposing the suspension, the Tennessee Supreme Court directed Rose to contact the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) for evaluation, comply with the provisions of any monitoring agreement, satisfy all continuing legal education requirements, and pay all outstanding registration fees and professional privilege taxes. 

Hawkins County lawyer Renfro Blackburn Baird was censured on Friday for failing to file a brief, notify the Court of Criminal Appeals of the status of the appeal and comply with show cause orders. Based on this misconduct, the court held Baird in willful criminal contempt.

The law license of Tipton County lawyer Thomas Dale Forrester was transferred to disability inactive status today. While on inactive status, Forrester may not practice law. He may petition the court for reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

Davidson County lawyer Karl Emmanuel Pulley was censured on Friday for communication with a person represented by counsel. While representing a defendant in a criminal case, Pulley met with and obtained a statement from a co-defendant who was represented by another attorney. Pulley failed to notify or obtain permission from the attorney before communicating with the individual.

Wilson County lawyer Adam Wilding Parrish was censured on Friday for not diligently representing a client in an uncontested divorce. Parrish delayed filing the divorce petition with the court for four months, allowed three months to pass with no action in the case and failed to communicate with his client. Only when the client complained did Parrish take action to have the final divorce decree issued.

Madison County lawyer Jack Colin Morris was censured on Friday for not diligently representing a client in a post-conviction proceeding. When his petition was denied, Morris was supposed to pursue a direct appeal. However, he failed to file a notice of appeal, and when his client inquired about the status of the matter, Morris misled the client, saying the court had not yet issued an opinion. Later, Morris advised his client that he had neglected to file the notice of appeal and sought permission to late-file but the court did not allow the waiver.

Davidson County lawyer Jeffrey John Miller was censured on Friday after pleading guilty to the Class A misdemeanors of harassment and domestic assault with fear of bodily injury. The court found that Miller engaged in a domestic altercation with his wife and threatened her with a gun while he was intoxicated. Since his convictions, Miller has been treated for substance abuse.

The law license of Davidson County lawyer John Edward Herbison was transferred to disability inactive status today. He may not practice law while on inactive status but may petition the court for reinstatement by showing clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law. Download the BPR release.

Florida Lawyer Frank Alfred Baker was disbarred by the Tennessee Supreme Court today. The court made the disbarment retroactive to July 25, the date Baker was suspended based on his conviction on two counts of making a false statement to the FDIC, making a false claim against the United States, and four counts of wire fraud. Baker agreed to the disbarment and to making restitution. Read the BPR release.