Lewis County lawyer Larry Joe Hinson was censured on Jan. 9 after the Board of Professional Responsibility determined that he failed to act diligently on behalf of his court-appointed client and failed to adequately communicate with the client and the court. The board also determined that Hinson failed to comply with the court’s order, failed to take action after promising the court he would, and misrepresented to the court and the board that he had filed a pleading when there was insufficient evidence he had done so. View the BPR notice.

Davidson County lawyer Daphne Michelle Davis was censured on Jan. 9 after the Board of Professional Responsibility determined that she failed to act diligently on behalf of her client and failed to adequately communicate with the client in two matters. The board also found that Davis deceived her client into believing she had filed a civil action with the court when such action was never taken. View the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Dec. 23 placed Shelby County lawyer William C. Gosnell on disability inactive status for an indefinite period of time. Gosnell had notified the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) that he suffers from a disability that prevents him from continuing to practice law and prevents him from defending himself against a disciplinary complaint. Download the BPR notice.

Knox County lawyer Robert R. Rexrode was suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Jan. 6 for one year, but has been allowed to serve the entire term on probation so long as he engages a practice monitor. Rexrode submitted a conditional guilty plea admitting that he (1) failed to act with reasonable diligence by not promptly filing a motion for his client to use cash collateral, (2) attempted to collect fees before obtaining court approval, (3) submitted fee applications that failed to follow bankruptcy procedures for identification of time devoted to the case, (4) neglected his client’s case and (5) charged an unreasonable fee. Download the BPR notice.

Thomas Fleming Mabry was suspended yesterday (Dec. 30) for committing ethical misconduct by failing to exercise appropriate diligence in the representation of a client. View the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order Dec. 23 suspending six Tennessee-licensed attorneys who did not pay their registration fee to the Board of Professional Responsibility and 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 suspension list and download the order.

Cannon County lawyer Dale William Peterson was disbarred from the practice of law on Dec. 23. The Tennessee Supreme Court reported that Peterson consented to the action after determining that he could not successfully defend himself on charges alleging that he stole $20,551 in client funds. Download the BPR notice.

Sumner County lawyer William Douglas Hooper was suspended from the practice of law on Dec. 17 after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he failed to respond to a complaint of misconduct. The court directed that the suspension remain in effect until modified or dissolved. Download the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Hamilton County lawyer Ronald W. Durby to disability inactive status on Dec. 5. Durby 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. Download the BPR notice.

The Supreme Court of Tennessee temporarily suspended the law license of Putnam County lawyer Gary N. Lovellette on Nov. 26 after finding that he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility concerning a complaint of misconduct. Download the BPR notice.