Philip Joseph Perez was yesterday permanently disbarred from the practice of law by the Tennessee Supreme Court. A Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) hearing panel found that Perez received retainer fees but failed to provide services; failed to file complaints; misled clients to believe their complaints had been filed; failed to appear for scheduled hearings and motions; failed to return unearned retainer fees; and failed to notify clients of his suspension from the practice of law. In addition to disbarment, Perez must also pay $2,258.33 in costs incurred to the BPR.

The Tennessee Supreme Court censured Robertson County lawyer Travis Randall Duffer today for failure to complete a client’s case. The court found that Duffer left the employment of a law firm in December 2020 and took some clients with him. For three clients, Duffer failed to respond to requests for information and failed to complete the matters for which he was hired. The court also determined that Duffer falsely stated to the Board of Law Examiners that the representations had been “completed.” His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.16, 8.1 and 8.4(d). The court also directed Duffer to refund his former client $900 within 90 days.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Shelby County lawyer Glenda Ann Adams from the practice of law yesterday after she pleaded guilty and was convicted in federal court of conspiracy to violate the travel act, and in state court of bribery of a public servant and official misconduct. The suspension will remain in effect until further order by the court. The court also referred the matter to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine the extent of final discipline.

Michael Brandon Meador was yesterday placed on disability inactive status by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Meador cannot practice law while on disability inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing that his disability has been removed.

White County lawyer Stephanie Branam Johnson was today temporarily suspended from the practice of law by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Johnson failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility concerning complaints of misconduct. She cannot accept new cases and must stop representing clients by July 13. Johnson must notify all clients being represented in pending matters, as well as co-counsel and opposing counsel, of her suspension. This suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the Supreme Court. Johnson may, for good cause, request dissolution or modification of the suspension by petition to the court.  

Shelby County lawyer Aaron Anthony Neglia was suspended from the practice of law yesterday. The Tennessee Supreme Court took the action after Neglia pled guilty and was convicted in state court of bribery of a public servant, and in federal court of conspiracy to violate the travel act. The court referred the matter to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine the extent of final discipline.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today affirmed a 30-day suspension for Davidson County attorney Candes Vonniest Prewitt. A Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) hearing panel found that Prewitt violated multiple provisions of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct in her handling of a personal injury case for a client with whom she had a romantic relationship, including Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.7, 1.16 and 8.4(a). The BPR recommended that the court impose a 30-day suspension, 10 extra hours of continuing education in ethics, and supervision by a practice monitor for six months after reinstatement. On appeal, the Davidson County Chancery Court and the Supreme Court affirmed the panel’s decision. The high court ruled that the discipline was supported by substantial and material evidence and was neither arbitrary nor an abuse of discretion. It also noted that though Prewitt complained of a hearing panel’s alleged conflict of interest, she waived the issue during the disciplinary proceedings.

Last month, the Tennessee Supreme Court adopted an order referring the case of State of Tennessee v. Angela Joy Hopson to the Board of Professional Responsibility for “whatever actions the Board may deem warranted.” Madison lawyer Hopson pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and theft of property. She received judicial diversion in both cases.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today permanently disbarred John Terence Tennyson from the practice of law. A panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) determined that Tennyson knowingly retained $10,000 in funds belonging to his client for his own financial benefit and refused to refund the money despite a written fee agreement requiring a refund. He also knowingly deceived his client about the process for receiving payment of the misappropriated funds. In addition to disbarment, Tennyson must pay restitution in the amount of $10,000 to the client and pay all costs incurred to the BPR.

The Tennessee Supreme Court last week dismissed a “Notice and Motion for Stay of Proceedings” from Knox County lawyer Mark Steven Graham. The court suspended Graham on May 20 after finding he was in substantial noncompliance with his Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program monitoring agreement. Graham had been reinstated in January 2022. Following the suspension, Graham filed the motion for a stay. The court dismissed the motion, finding that Graham’s exclusive remedy is to request dissolution or amendment of the suspension and show that good cause exists for the request.