The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended the law license of Hawkins County lawyer James Franklin Taylor on Oct. 26 following his guilty plea to the count of felony theft. The court also directed the Board of Professional Responsibility to institute a formal proceeding to determine the extent of final discipline to be imposed as a result of the conviction.  Download the court's notice

Davidson County lawyer Robin Jeffrey Gordon was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court for employing an attorney with an inactive Illinois law licensed and no Tennessee law license  to work as a paralegal in his office. The employee held himself out to clients as an attorney by signing two letters with detailed legal advice, providing three receipts that listed him as an “attorney” with a billable rate of $250, and providing a business card identifying himself as an “attorney at law.” Gordon billed for the time of the non-licensed attorney at an unreasonable rate and failed to ensure that the employee’s conduct was not the unauthorized practice of law. Download the BPR notice.

Overton County lawyer Lynda W. Simmons was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court for violating Rules of Professional Conduct relating to conflict of interest and confidential information. Download the BPR notice for more information.

Hamilton County lawyer John M. Wolfe, Jr. was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court for violating the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct related to scope of representation, communication and misconduct.  Download the BPR notice to learn more.

Anderson County attorney Samuel Lain was suspended from the practice of law on Oct. 17 for appearing in court in an impaired state, appearing in court while suspended and failing to competently represent clients. The one-year suspension was made retroactive to Aug. 22, 2011, but will run for an indefinite period thereafter until certain conditions are met. These include participation with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, payment of costs, payment of registration fees and compliance with continuing legal education.  Download the BPR notice

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 18 suspended the law license of Crocket County lawyer Shannon Jones for three years after he was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The court also directed Jones to remain compliant with his Tennessee Lawyer’s Assistance Program monitoring agreement throughout the length of the suspension. In addition to suspension from the practice of law, Jones was sentenced to six months in prison followed by three years probation. Download the BPR notice

Chattanooga lawyer Fred T. Hanzelik was suspended on Oct. 18 for one year, with six months to be served on actual suspension and six months to be served on probation. In imposing the disciplinary action, the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he had neglected clients’ cases, failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing clients, and failed to adequately communicate with clients. Download the BPR notice

Seventeen Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated after being administratively suspended for failure to file the 2012 registration fee and IOLTA report or complete CLE requirements in 2011.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued two orders on Tuesday suspending 19 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. See the updated lists and download the orders

William H. Thomas Jr. of Memphis was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 4 for failing to abide by a court order requiring him to comply with discovery requests in a civil proceeding. The court found his actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(d) and (g). Download the BPR order