Shelby County lawyer Erin Massey Everitt was reinstated to the practice of law on Sept. 20 after being placed on inactive status more than five years ago. Everitt filed a petition seeking reinstatement and the Board of Professional Responsibility determined that the petition was satisfactory. The Tennessee Supreme Court filed the order today.

Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman was reinstated to the practice of law today. Freeman was suspended on June 21 for three years, with three months to be served on active suspension and the rest on probation. As a condition of reinstatement, Freeman was directed to obtain an evaluation from the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program and engage a practice monitor, who is to meet with Freeman on a monthly basis to review basic office procedures such as scheduling and maintenance of case deadlines and use of written communications and fee agreements. The practice monitor is directed to send monthly reports to the Board of Professional Responsibility.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday reinstated Anthony Bernard Norris to the practice of law. Norris was suspended for five years on October 8, 2012. As a condition of his reinstatement, Norris must pay the costs of the reinstatement proceeding and for one year engage a practice monitor, who will report to the Board of Professional Responsibility on a monthly basis.

Shelby County lawyer Inez Beatrice Warner received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court today. The court conditioned the censure on Warner paying restitution to three clients totaling $8,775 and pay fees to the Board of Professional Responsibility. The court took the action after it considered four complaints regarding Warner’s lack of diligence, lack of communication with clients, failure to properly account of settlement proceeds, and unclear fee practices, including charging fees incompatible with stated fees. Her actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.15 and 8.4.

A number of lawyers have been reinstated after being suspended for failure to complete required CLE hours. Of the group, 16 were suspended in 2021 for 2020 violations while one was suspended in 2007 for 2006 violations. The TBA also has records of all administrative suspensions and reinstatements going back to 2005. See all lists here.

The law license of Shelby County lawyer William N. Griffin was transferred to disability inactive status on Sept. 23. Based on documentation from Griffin and his medical provider, the Tennessee Supreme Court determined that Griffin is unable to continue practicing law. The order will remain in effect until further action by the court.

California lawyer Brandi Danielle Becker was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Sept. 20. Becker had been on inactive status since 2014. Virginia lawyer David Strother Bunn was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Sept. 27. He had been on inactive status since 2012.

The Tennessee Supreme Court last week ordered the law license of Shelby County attorney William N. Griffin be transferred to disability inactive status. Griffin cannot practice law while on this status and may return to active status upon showing the high court that his disability has been removed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today referred the case of Greene County attorney Edward Lee Kershaw to the Board of Professional Responsibility for whatever action it deems warranted. The court took the action after Kershaw pled no contest to a first offense of driving under the influence in Greene County Criminal Court.

Davidson County lawyer Andrew Jackson Dancy III was censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 17. The court took that action after it determined that Dancy (1) associated with at least two Pennsylvania attorneys on foreclosure matters although he was not licensed in that state, (2) failed to supervise his non-attorney staff to ensure the Pennsylvania attorney was notified and retained to assist in representation, and (3) failed to deposit client funds into his IOLTA account. His actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15 and 5.3. The court conditioned the censure on Dancy paying restitution to his client in the amount of $2,400 as well as the costs of the disciplinary proceeding.