The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Memphis lawyer Anthony Bernard Norris for five years on Oct. 8 for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The court found that Norris, who has been suspended since 1995, assisted in the formation of the law firm of Bruce, Norris & Bass PLLC in 1998, and in 2000, began serving as general counsel for Worldwide Label and Packaging LLC. In addition to the suspension, the court ordered Norris to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceeding and set two conditions for reinstatement: (1) that he pay his Board of Professional Responsibility registration fees from 1996 to present, and (2) that he pay any professional taxes assessed by the Department of Revenue. Download the BPR notice

Shelby County lawyer Gail Ostby Mathes was transferred to disability inactive status by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 8. Mathes may not practice law while on disability inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law. Download the BPR notice

The Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed the temporary suspension of Rogersville attorney John Douglas Godbee on Oct. 4 based on a petition from the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) that he continues to pose a threat of substantial harm to the public. Godbee had petitioned the court on Aug. 13 to dissolve his suspension. A hearing panel of the BPR recommended that the petition be denied. The court accepted the recommendation and rejected Godbee’s petition. Download the BPR notice

The Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred Wilson County lawyer Gary Wayne Vandever on Oct. 1, retroactive to his Nov. 24, 2010, order of temporary suspension. Vandever consented to disbarment believing he could not successfully defend himself again charges that he had been convicted of three counts of Theft of Property Over $60,000.00 due to the misappropriation of funds for his own use and benefit. The court found his actions to violate Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(a), (b), (c) and (d). Download the BPR notice

The Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed on Sept. 27 the Hamilton County Chancery Court and a 45-day suspension for Chattanooga attorney Fred T. Hanzelik. The discipline was originally imposed by a hearing panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility. Hanzelik was suspended for attempting to bill a client twice for the same legal service, failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, failing to adequately communicate with a client, charging an unreasonable fee, and failing to respond to inquiries from the board. Download the BPR's release.

The Supreme Court of Tennessee summarily and temporarily suspended Knoxville lawyer Raymond Andrew Shirley Jr., from the practice of law yesterday upon finding that he failed to respond to the Board regarding a complaint of misconduct. Shirley is precluded from accepting any new cases and he must cease representing existing clients by Oct. 27. After that date he may not use any indicia of lawyer, legal assistant, or law clerk nor maintain a presence where the practice of law is conducted. Download the BPR release

The law license of Sparta lawyer John E. Acuff was transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 21 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9 on Sept. 24. He cannot practice law while on disability inactive status, but may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law. Download the BPR release

Knoxville lawyer William Preston Snyder's law license was transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 21 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9 on Sept. 24. He cannot practice law while on disability inactive status, but may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law. Download the BPR release

Nineteen Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated after being administratively suspended for failure to (1) file the 2012 registration fee and IOLTA report, (2) file the 2011 registration fee and IOLTA report, (3) pay the annual registration fee from 2009 to 2012, (4) pay the professional privilege tax, (5) and complete CLE requirements in 2011, 2010 and 2007. See the updated lists at the links above.

After being suspended on Aug. 31 for failing to comply with Rule 21 of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court, which requires mandatory continuing legal education, 55 lawyers have completed the required hours and have been reinstated. See the updated list