John Arnold Fitzgerald was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on Sept. 10 for misappropriating funds to his own use. The court found his continued practice of law poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. View the BPR notice.

The law license of Stacy D. Attkisson was transferred to disability inactive status on Sept. 10. Attkisson may return to the practice of law upon showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume. View the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday issued two orders suspending an additional six 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 suspension lists or download the orders.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated the law license of Spring Hill lawyer James Michael Marshall on Sept. 4. Marshall had been suspended for 60 days after he admitted violating the Rules of Professional Conduct in the representation of two clients. Download the BPR notice.

A number of Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated after being administratively suspended for failure to meet CLE requirements in 2009 and 2013. See the updated lists at the links above.

On Sept. 4, the law license of Blount County lawyer Lyle Harold Moe was transferred to disability inactive status. Moe may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume practicing. View the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court last week suspended 132 lawyers for failing to comply with mandatory continuing legal education requirements in 2013. Attorneys who since have complied with the rule, and for whom notice has been received from the court, are noted as reinstated. See the list of all attorneys suspended and reinstated.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated the law license of Elbert Jefferson Jr. on Aug. 28. Jefferson had been temporarily suspended on July 14 for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. View the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today reinstated a 60-day suspension for Memphis attorney R. Sadler Bailey that had been recommended by the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR). The BPR had found that while representing a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case, Bailey “became upset,” engaged in “vehement arguments” with opposing attorneys, objected 12 times during the defense’s opening statement and repeatedly criticized the judge. Because of this “contentious conduct,” a mistrial was declared. Bailey appealed the suspension to the Shelby County Chancery Court, which agreed rules had been violated but found that a 60-day suspension was not warranted. The BPR appealed to the Supreme Court, which concluded that the 60-day suspension was consistent with other cases involving similar violations. Read the court's press release, download the BPR notice or download the opinion.

On Aug. 13, Sharon Elizabeth England was temporarily suspended from the practice of law for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. View the BPR notice.