The Tennessee Supreme Court this week issued two new orders suspending Tennessee-licensed attorneys who did not pay their 2012 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. Lawyers who since have complied with the requirements are noted as reinstated. See the updated lists and download the orders

Twelve Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated after being administratively suspended for failure to meet CLE requirements in 2011 or 2012, failing to file the annual registration fee or IOLTA form in 2012, or failing to pay professional taxes in the last two years. See the updated lists at the links above.

The Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred Sullivan County attorney David Garrett Mullins on Nov. 30 for neglect, failure to communicate with clients, practicing law while suspended, and accepting fees then abandoning client’s cases. He has been ordered to pay restitution to former client’s totaling $15,445. Download the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended 41 attorneys on Nov. 29 for failing to pay the state professional privilege tax as required by Tennessee Code Annotated 67-4-1702. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 32, attorneys who fail to pay the fee for at least two consecutive years are summarily suspended. Those who since have complied with the rule are noted as reinstated. See the full list or download the suspension order

Bradley H. Frakes was reinstated to the practice of law by order of the Supreme Court on Nov. 27. His reinstatement is subject to several conditions, including restitution to a former client and use of a practice monitor.  In November 2011, Frakes was suspended for one year, retroactive to his temporary suspenson in November 2010. Download the BPR notice. 

Terry D. Dycus of Somerville was suspended Nov. 27 by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for one year, consisting of a 45-day active suspension and the remainder to be served on probation. He was also ordered to perform 10 hours of pro bono services and complete additional continuing legal education credits during his probation. Dycus admitted engaging in conversation of a sexual nature with two criminal defendants who were being prosecuted by the District Attorney's office for which he also worked. He was not the Assistant District Attorney assigned to those cases; however, he admitted that both defendants were represented by counsel and that he did not have permission to speak with either defendant. Download the BPR notice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday issued an order suspending 23 additional Tennessee-licensed attorneys who did not pay their 2012 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. See the full list of lawyers who have been suspended and/or reinstated in 2012.

The Board of Professional Responsibility has reported that the law license of Memphis lawyer James Walter McDonnell was reactivated on Nov. 26. Download the notice

Valerie Corder of Memphis was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Nov. 20. The court found that Corder did not promptly withdraw from representation after her client testified falsely at a deposition, and that at a subsequent hearing, Corder did not correct the deposition testimony because the hearing was unexpectedly adjourned prior to completion. Download the BPR notice.

Bobby Dean Davis of Nashville was disbarred on Nov. 20 by the Tennessee Supreme Court for abandoning his practice. The court also ordered him to provide restitution to affected clients. In four cases, clients paid Davis fees for which little or no legal work was performed. In addition, in one of the cases, Davis’ failure to communicate with his client resulted in a default judgment being entered against the client. Davis did not respond to the petition for discipline and did not appear for the final hearing, despite having notice of both. Download the BPR notice.