Vanessa Gale Keeler, formerly of Memphis, was suspended from the practice of law for three years and six months, retroactive to her current three-year suspension entered August 2012 for failing to communicate adequately with her client and failing to perform the legal work for which she had been paid. Despite demands from each client, Keeler failed to refund the unearned fee in a timely manner. View or download the BPR notice.

On Dec. 9, attorney David Gregory Hays was temporarily suspended from the practice of law for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. Download the BPR notice.

The state Supreme Court reinstated the law license of Murfreesboro lawyer Brandon Michael Booten on Nov. 27. Booten had been suspended Nov. 1 for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. After responding, Booten petitioned the court to remove the suspension. A hearing panel recommended that the suspension be set aside so long as Booten complies with Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 19; continues consultation with, and adheres to any recommendations from, the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program; and provides disciplinary counsel with a copy of any and all assessments and/or monitoring agreements. Read the BPR notice

Davidson County lawyer Hal Wilkes Wilkins was temporarily suspended on Dec. 2 after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. The suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.  Read the BPR notice

The Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Blount County lawyer Keith Lane Edmiston to disability inactive status on Dec. 2, pursuant to Section 21 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9. Edmiston may not practice law while on inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after 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

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Nov. 27 suspended three lawyers who did not pay their annual 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. Read the orders and get the latest information.

Two inactive lawyers were suspended on Friday for failure to pay their annual inactive fee. Download the order or see the list of all those suspended and reinstated to date.

Derek A. Artrip was disbarred Nov. 14 by the Tennessee Supreme Court. In 2012, Artrip was temporarily suspended for failure to respond to two disciplinary complaints of misconduct for abandonment of practice and neglect of client matters. Although he sought reinstatement, Artrip failed to meet the conditions of reinstatement and, therefore, he has remained on suspension since that time. Download the BPR notice.

Lance William Parr of Birmingham, Ala., was disbarred by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Nov. 18. Parr had been suspended from practicing law before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee for neglecting his cases, failing to communicate with his clients and opposing counsel, failing to protect his clients interests, demonstrating incompetence and abandoning his practice. Download BPR notice. 

M. Josiah Hoover III was suspended on Nov. 15 for one year to run concurrently with his disbarment on Nov. 16, 2012. Hoover charged a client excessive fees and practiced law while his license was suspended for failing to pay the Professional Privilege Tax. The full BPR notice has more.