On Jan. 18, Jerry Alan Kennon was suspended from the practice of law for 18 months, consisting of 30 days active suspension and the remainder to be served on probation. Kennon was suspended for failing to complete the requisite number of CLE credits while continuing to represent clients and file pleadings during the suspension. Other complaints relate to Kennon’s failure to properly prepare trust documents, timely file a lawsuit and return client documents. Download the BPR notice.

Attorney Mark Edward Chapman received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on Jan. 17 for instructing a paralegal to attend a mediation with a client at which the opposing party was represented by counsel. The paralegal engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by signing his name to the mediation form that was filed with the courts; by negotiating with opposing counsel and the mediators without clients present; and by agreeing to resolve some issues on behalf of the client. Chapman is responsible for the supervision of the paralegal, and failed to provide diligent representation of his client at the mediation when the other party was represented by counsel and issues in the case were solved. Download the BPR notice.

Davidson County lawyer Quenton White received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on Jan. 15. The board found that for over a month, White practiced law while his license was administratively suspended for IOLTA noncompliance and failure to pay the annual registration fee. His actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 5.5. Download the BPR notice

Clarksville lawyer Cleveland C. Turner was reinstated to the practice of law on Jan. 11. He previously had been on disability inactive status since Jan. 14, 1997. Upon his application for reinstatement, the Board of Professional Responsibility determined that he had met the conditions imposed for reinstatement. Download the BPR notice

The Tennessee Supreme Court summarily and temporarily suspended Knoxville lawyer Robert Lawson Cheek Jr. on Dec. 28 after finding that he misappropriated funds for his own use and abandoned his law practice. The court also determined that he posed a threat of substantial harm to the public. The action was taken pursuant to Section 4.3 of Supreme Court Rule 9. Download the BPR notice

Hawkins County attorney James Franklin Taylor was disbarred yesterday and ordered by the Supreme Court to pay restitution before reinstatement. The court temporarily suspended Taylor’s law license last June and suspended him in October. The Board of Professional Responsibility filed petitions for discipline, charging Taylor with misappropriation of client funds and foundation funds, and filing false claims with the Administrative Office of the Courts. Taylor submitted a conditional guilty plea, and was ordered to pay the expenses and costs of the disciplinary proceedings against him and fully comply with the requirements and obligations of disbarred attorneys. Download the BPR notice.

Nashville lawyer William Alan Alder was suspended from the practice of law for one year, ordered to pay restitution to a former client and undergo an assessment with the Tennessee Lawyers’ Assistance Program on Dec. 28, 2012. The Tennessee Supreme Court found that he Improperly used his trust account for personal use, caused several bank overdrafts, failed to provide legal services to clients, was not diligent in handling client matters, failed to adequately communicate with clients and submitted false affidavits to the Commission on Legal Education and Specialization claiming to have participated in legal training which he never attended. Download the BPR notice

Fifteen Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated to the practice of law after being administratively suspended for failure to file the last two years of the state professional tax, or the 2011 and 2012 annual fee and IOLTA report. See the updated lists at the links above.

Davidson County attorney C. LeAnn Smith received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on Dec. 12. On June 11, Smith was convicted of driving under the influence. The board determined that her actions violated Rule 8.4(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Download the BPR notice

Blount County attorney Stanley R. Barnett received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on Dec.12 for failing to file a motion for a new trial after his client was convicted. The board found that this failure resulted in the waiver of all issues for appeal except sufficiency of the evidence and sentencing. After the client filed a pro se notice of appeal, Barnett filed an appellate brief but failed to consult the client first, which created additional challenges for the client. Download the BPR notice