Patricia Donice Butler was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on March 13 for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. View the BPR notice.

The law license of Laura Elizabeth Mills was transferred to inactive status on March 6. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume. View the BPR notice.

John Edward Herbison Jr. was reinstated to the practice of law on Feb. 24. Herbison had been suspended for 18 months with 60 days of the suspension to be served as an active suspension and the remaining 16 months on probation. View the BPR notice.

The Supreme Court of Tennessee disbarred Rutherford County lawyer Edward T. Farmer on March 3. He consented to disbarment, according to the court, because he could not successfully defend himself against allegations of ethical misconduct. Farmer entered a “best interest plea” in the criminal case of State of Tennessee v. Edward Farmer for violations of state law prohibiting sexual exploitation of a minor and tampering with evidence. The court found that his actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4. View the BPR notice.

Knox County lawyer Steven Edward Sams received a public censure yesterday for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law while suspended. The Tennessee Supreme Court found that Sams entered into an engagement agreement with a client in an immigration asylum case after being temporarily suspended. The court also found that Sams misled the client about working on the appeal. View the BPR notice.

Shelby County lawyer William R. Bruce received a public censure on Feb. 20. Bruce entered a plea to attempted possession of a controlled substance. The charge was later dismissed after he completed a diversion program. View the BPR notice.

Ramsdale O’DeNeal Jr. was reinstated to the practice of law Monday (Feb. 23). O’DeNeal had been suspended on April 7, 2009, for one year. View the BPR notice.

Shannon Michele Lovins was suspended for five years subject to conditions imposed by the North Carolina State Bar. Lovins’ license to practice law in North Carolina was suspended upon finding that Lovins pled guilty to several criminal offenses involving illegal drugs, disorderly conduct, and driving while under the influence of an impairing substance. Lovins also failed to conduct the requisite reconciliations of her trust account, commingled funds by leaving her attorney fees in the trust account, over-disbursed funds from the trust account to third parties, and failed to follow mandatory management and record-keeping procedures. View the BPR notice.

On Feb. 20, Clayton F. Mayo of Jackson was suspended for three years based on six complaints of misconduct alleging that Mayo missed trial dates, neglected clients’ matters, failed to communicate with clients and finally abandoned his practice. View the BPR notice.

Andrew Nathan Hall received a public censure on Feb. 12 for taking no action in a case for over a year after he was retained to represent clients in bankruptcy proceedings. When the clients called Hall’s office, they were repeatedly told the bankruptcy petition would be filed shortly, but nothing was done until the clients filed a disciplinary complaint against Hall. View the BPR notice.