William S. Lockett was reinstated to the practice of law on Monday (July 27). Lockett had been suspended on July 3, 2012 for four years, retroactive to April 13, 2010. Lockett, who was Knox County law director, had pled guilty to embezzling thousands of dollars in fees from his former law firm. View the BPR notice.

John Thomas Jones was temporarily suspended on July 24 upon finding that he misappropriated funds and poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. View the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld a recommendation from a Board of Professional Responsibility hearing panel to suspend Anderson County lawyer Yarboro Sallee’s law license for one year. The court held that the sanction was appropriate in light of the multiple ethical violations Sallee committed, which included charging excessive fees, insisting clients agree to pay contingency fees as well as hourly fees, failing to communicate with clients about fees, withholding items from clients after being discharged and threatening to file criminal charges against clients. Read more from the AOC or read the opinion.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued two orders on July 16 suspending Tennessee-licensed attorneys who did not pay their registration fee to the Board of Professional Responsibility and/or did not file a mandatory compliance statement that eligible client funds are held in accounts participating in the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program. Those who have complied with the rules since the orders were issued, and for whom notification of a status change has been received from the Board of Professional Responsibility, are noted as reinstated. See the updated lists and court orders.

Maury County lawyer James Michael Marshall was censured last Thursday (July 16). The Tennessee Supreme Court took the action after Marshall was convicted on two counts of assault against his former wife and former father-in-law and held in contempt of court for failure to pay court-ordered child support, alimony and medical costs. Read the BPR release

Hamilton County lawyer Keith Alan Black was censured last Thursday (July 16). The Tennessee Supreme Court found that Black failed to file an appellate brief in a criminal case, failed to respond to orders from the Court of Criminal Appeals and was held in contempt by the appeals court. Read the BPR release

Shelby County lawyer Christopher Lee Brown was disbarred yesterday (July 20) based on 18 complaints of misconduct. The Tennessee Supreme Court found that he failed to communicate with clients, notify clients of prior suspensions, comply with a court order, refund unearned fees, expedite litigation and respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility. He also was found to have made misrepresentations to clients and engaged in improper advertising, misappropriation of client funds and trust fund violations. Finally, the court determined that he abandoned his law practice and was guilty to theft of property over $60,000. Read the BPR release

Venita Marie Martin was temporarily suspended from the practice of law for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. View BPR notice.

Kevin McLean Kelly and James Gregory King received public censures on July 16. Kelly was censured for entering a guilty plea to driving under the influence. King failed to deposit and/or maintain client funds, which were paid for a court reporter in his IOLTA account. Additionally, King kept personal and operational funds in his IOLTA account and paid personal bills from his IOLTA account.

The law license of Washington County lawyer Edwin Barrett Charles was transferred to disability inactive status on July 14. Charles may not practice law while on disability inactive status but 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. View the BPR release.