The Supreme Court of Tennessee issued an order on July 19 removing Shelby County lawyer William T. Maxwell Jr. from disability inactive status. Download the BPR notice

Two Tennessee-licensed attorneys received public censures from the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) on July 19. Marshall County lawyer Thomas Andre Davidson was censured for mishandling the estate of a client. Among his actions, Davidson failed to review a prenuptial agreement and failed to disclose a third codicil to the will – even informing the client’s wife that the codicil had been revoked. In addition, Crossville attorney Margaret Jane Powers was censured for endorsing a client’s name on a check and depositing the money in her account. In handling a client’s divorce, Powers received a check made out to the client from the opposing party. She asked the client if she could apply the check to the outstanding bill owed. When the client refused, Powers held the check for 18 months, and then asked the client again. When the client did not respond, Powers deposited the check, though she later refunded the money.

Memphis lawyer Joseph T. Kirkland Jr. was suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court for one year, but allowed to serve all but 90 days on probation. Kirkland voluntarily reported to the Board of Professional Responsibility that he used previously disbursed and unclaimed funds in his trust account to pay for law firm operating expenses. All funds ultimately were replaced and properly disbursed, resulting in no financial loss to third parties. In addition to the suspension, the court ordered Kirkland to engage a practice monitor during the probationary period. Download the BPR notice

The Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended Murfreesboro lawyer Derek A. Artrip from the practice of law on July 13 after finding that he failed to respond to a complaint of misconduct. The suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the court. Download the BPR notice

Five Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated after being administratively suspended for failure to file their 2012 registration fee and IOLTA report, while one lawyer has been reinstated after failing to file his registration fee and IOLTA report for the last three years. In addition, one lawyer has been reinstated after being suspended for CLE noncompliance in 2010. See updated lists at the links above.

Sumner County attorney John Pierce Brownlee Jr. was disbarred by the Tennessee Supreme Court on July 12 after being convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and endeavor to interfere with the administration of Internal Revenue laws. The court determined that his actions violated Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 8, Section 8.4. It also ordered him to pay the expenses and costs of the disciplinary proceeding. Download the BPR notice

Knox County lawyer John O. Threadgill was disbarred June 6, and then a second time on July 12 by the Tennessee Supreme Court. He was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $24,000 to four former clients. The Board of Professional Responsibility filed petitions for discipline against him pursuant to Rule 9, Section 8.2, of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, charging him with misappropriation of client funds, neglect of client matters, failure to communicate with clients, and practicing law while suspended. The board also filed a petition for final discipline against him based upon his guilty plea to theft in State of Tennessee v. Threadgill. Download the BPR release

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Johnson City lawyer Bryan Bradley Martin on July 11 for one year, but allowed him to serve all time on probation. Martin submitted a conditional guilty plea that he neglected clients’ matters and failed to communicate with his clients. The court found his actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.16, 3.2 and 8.4. Download the BPR release

The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility has filed a petition for discipline against Paul Rush, an assistant district attorney in the 10th Judicial District, which covers Bradley, McMinn, Polk and Monroe counties. The petition states that Rush knew a key witness in Cleveland's 1999 Valentine's Day triple slaying was going to be prosecuted on check fraud charges, but didn't tell defense attorneys until one or two days before the trial began. His failure to share the information, according to the petition, triggered a mistrial and allowed the murder defendant to walk free. The Times Free Press reports

Seven Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated after being administratively suspended for failure to file the 2012 registration fee and required IOLTA report. In addition, two lawyers have been reinstated after failing to file this year's fee. See updated lists here