Two Tennessee-licensed lawyers have been reinstated after being administratively suspended for failure to file the 2012 registration fee and IOLTA report; one lawyer has been reinstated after being suspended for failure to file the 2011 registration fee and IOLTA report; one lawyer has been reinstated after completing 2011 CLE requirements; and three lawyers were reinstated after paying past due fees – one from 2007 and two from 2008. See updated lists at the links above.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order June 6 suspending Tennessee-licensed attorneys who had not paid their 2012 registration fee to the Board of Professional Responsibility and had not filed a mandatory compliance statement that eligible client funds are being held in accounts participating in the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program. The list reflects lawyers not in compliance as of their April birthdates. See the updated list or download the order

Murfreesboro lawyer Jerry Scott was transferred to disability inactive status by the Tennessee Supreme Court on June 11. He may not practice law while on disability inactive status, but may resume the practice of law after showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to return to the practice of law. Download the BPR notice

Former Maury County lawyer Rhonda D. Hooks received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on June 5. The court also ordered her to attend 10 additional hours of ethics legal education in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The court found that she filed a motion in a client's criminal case without notifying and receiving permission from the client’s current counsel; assisted a client in the unauthorized practice of law; and failed to ascertain the status and complexity of a client’s case prior to representing that client. Download the BPR notice

The Tennessee Supreme Court has disbarred Knoxville attorney John Threadgill and ordered restitution of more than $266,000 to seven former clients. A Hearing Panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility found he misappropriated client funds; neglected client matters; failed to communicate with clients; engaged in dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; and commingled client, personal and business funds. Threadgill’s actions violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.5 (fees), 1.15 (safeguarding funds), 1.16 (terminating representation) and 8.4 (misconduct). Download the BPR release

Two lawyers were temporarily suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court on June 11. Knoxville lawyer Vanessa Lynn Lemons was suspended pursuant to Section 4.3 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, for her failure to respond to a complaint of ethical misconduct. Nashville lawyer Dana L. Nero was suspended pursuant to Section 4.3 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, for failure to substantially comply with her Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) Monitoring Agreement. Effective June 11, Lemons and Nero are precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by July 11. After that date they 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's release for Lemons and Nero

The law license of Madison County lawyer Roger Alan Staton was transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 21, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, on June 5. He cannot practice law with this status, but may return to practice upon showing the court that the disability has been removed. Download the BPR news release

The Supreme Court of Tennessee temporarily suspended the law license of Mark Kelley Braswell on May 22 for his failure to respond to a complaint of ethical misconduct. Braswell is licensed in Tennessee but maintains an office in Washington, D.C. The suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the court. Download the BPR release

Nashville lawyer Colin Michael Daly was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court on May 22 for practicing law while his license was administratively suspended for failing to timely pay his annual registration fees. The court determined that his actions violated Rule 5.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Download the BPR release

Knoxville lawyer Lisa Anne Temple was publicly censured today by Supreme Court of Tennessee. The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against her based on a complaint that she accepted representation of a client while she was suspended from practicing law, which violates Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees); 5.5 (unauthorized practice of law); 8.1 (disciplinary matters) and 8.4(a)(c) and (d) (misconduct). Download the BPR release