The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Knox County lawyer Jedidiah Charles McKeehan to the active practice of law on Dec. 5. On Dec. 3, the court suspended McKeehan for 30 days. The next day, the Board of Professional Responsibility notified the court that the motion to suspend had been filed prematurely and filed a joint motion with McKeehan requesting that the court vacate the order. The new order reinstates McKeehan to the active practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended Sumner County lawyer Jocelyn Doria Mims from the practice of law until further order of the court. The court took the action after Mims was adjudged guilty of two felony counts of tampering with evidence, one count of making false report, and three counts of Intentional failure to report child sexual abuse. The matter has been referred to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine the extent of final discipline to be imposed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Hamilton County lawyer Patrick Bryant Hawley yesterday after finding that he poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. Hawley is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and must cease representing existing clients by Dec. 26. Previous reporting indicated that Hawley had been charged with s several federal crimes, including sexual exploitation of children and possession and distribution of child pornography.

The Tennessee Supreme Court summarily suspended Knox County lawyer Adam Sanford Moncier from the practice of law on Nov. 21 for failure to comply with continuing legal education requirements. The court noted that Moncier was provided notice of the noncompliance 90 days ago. The suspension took effective immediately. Moncier may file an application for reinstatement upon demonstrating compliance with the rules. The filing comes as a supplement to the court’s annual order suspending 123 attorneys in August.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Nov. 25 suspended 10 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee; nine of them also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended and reinstated for fee and IOLTA violations in 2024 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Maury County lawyer Ashlyn Elizabeth Blevins from the practice of law on Nov. 22 after finding that she poses a threat of substantial harm to the public and is substantially non-compliant with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program monitoring agreement. The court reports that Blevins failed to complete certain testing and additional treatment as required. Blevins is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by Dec. 22. The court also approved a motion from the Board of Professional Responsibility to file an exhibit in the case under seal.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Nov. 22 transferred the law license of Shelby County lawyer Cynthia Jeanne Tobin to disability inactive status. Tobin may not practice law while on inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court by showing that the disability has been removed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has transferred the law license of Williamson County lawyer James L. Woodard to disability inactive status. Woodard may not practice law while on disability inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court by showing that the disability has been removed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court is weighing whether the punishment for Memphis attorney Aaron Anthony Neglia should be increased from a 10-year suspension to permanent disbarment. The Board of Professional Responsibility had proposed to suspend Neglia for 10 years with the requirement that he retain a practice monitor for one year. The court indicated it wanted more information on the case before making a final decision. The board now must file the record of the disciplinary hearing within 30 days, after which Neglia will have 20 days to submit his brief. The matter will then be submitted to the court on briefs without oral argument. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, section 15.4(b) and (c) give the court authority to increase or decrease punishments subject to a set procedure and timelines.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended Madison County lawyer Marcus Allen Lipham from the practice of law after finding that he poses a threat of substantial harm to the public and is substantially non-compliant with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program monitoring agreement. The court reported that Lipham failed to complete certain testing and additional treatment as required. Lipham is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by Dec.18. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court. The court also approved an order allowing documents in the case to be filed under seal.