Memphis attorney Venita Marie Martin was disbarred from the practice of law today by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. A hearing panel recommended disbarment after finding Martin knowingly failed to reasonably communicate with her clients regarding the status of their case; failed to respond to discovery requests; failed to respond to show cause orders; failed to appear at scheduled court hearings; failed to represent her clients in a diligent manner and reasonably expedite their litigation; failed to reasonably notify clients she was abandoning her office and terminating her law practice; failed to provide clients with alternative contact information after abandoning her law office and terminating her law practice, and failed to return unearned fees and expenses to her clients.

The Board of Professional Responsibility recently issued Formal Ethics Opinion F-161 regarding the ethical propriety of a settlement agreement that requires the release of lawyer work product. To the extent settlement provisions require attorneys to turn over documents protected by the lawyer work product doctrine, the provisions may be prohibited by Tennessee Rule of Professional Conduct 5.6(b). That is, a lawyer may not propose or agree to a settlement agreement that requires a lawyer to turn over any work product materials as part of the settlement if that action will restrict the representation of other clients.

The Tennessee Supreme Court held Weakly County lawyer Harry Max Speight in criminal contempt on Sept. 26. The court had disbarred Speight on Aug. 14, 2008, and Nov. 2, 2011, but recently found that he engaged in the practice of law in connection with a real estate transaction. The court appointed a special master to conduct a hearing on the matter. The special master found Speight guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal contempt, but due to mitigating factors recommended a fine and no jail time. The court accepted that recommendation. Read the BPR release.

Sumner County lawyer Jon David Rogers was censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court today. In exchange for the censure, Rogers agreed to engage a practice monitor for 12 months and pay restitution to his former client. The court took the action after finding the Rogers failed to respond to discovery, resulting in his client being held in contempt of court and being ordered to pay the attorney fees of opposing counsel. The court also found that he failed to promptly return his client’s file after he was terminated by the client. Read the BPR notice.

The law license of Knoxville lawyer John Alfred McReynolds Jr. was transferred to disability inactive status today. He may not practice law while on inactive status but may petition the Tennessee Supreme 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. Read the BPR notice.

Campbell County lawyer Timothy Paul Webb was suspended yesterday (Sept. 26) for five years, retroactive to Dec. 15, 2015. Webb is to serve two of the years on active suspension and the remainder on probation. As conditions of probation, he must engage a practice monitor, undergo an evaluation by Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP), enter into a monitoring agreement if deemed appropriate by TLAP, and incur no new complaints resulting in disciplinary action. The petition for discipline filed against Webb included 12 complaints including lack of diligence in handling client matters, failure to communicate with clients, failure to properly terminate relationships with clients, misrepresentations to clients and failure to maintain client funds in his trust account. Read the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Montgomery County lawyer Carrie Leigh Gasaway from the practice of law until further order based on her guilty plea and conviction for felony theft over $10,000. The court referred the matter to the Board of Professional Responsibility for a determination of the final discipline to be imposed. The suspension took effect Sept. 16. Read the BPR notice.

Davidson County lawyer James D. R. Roberts was reinstated to the practice of law today after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he had fulfilled the requirements for reinstatement. Roberts was suspended on March 18 for six months. Read the BPR notice.