The Tennessee Supreme Court today vacated a suspension it imposed on Davidson County lawyer Charles Edward Walker on March 25. The court had suspended Walker for three years, with two years to be served on active suspension and one year on probation, and had directed him to engage a practice monitor. The court took the action believing that Walker had not appealed the Board of Professional Responsibility’s recommendation for discipline. The court says it has since learned that Walker did file an appeal but filed it in the wrong court. The order today also directs the Court of Appeals to transfer Walker’s appeal to it for consideration.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today censured Roane County lawyer Jason Ralph Hines. The court took the action after determining that Hines engaged in inappropriate text communications with a client, failed to deposit client funds into his trust account, provided inappropriate financial assistance to his client, and failed to promptly refund advance payment of unearned fees. He agreed to a conditional guilty plea admitting his conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7(a), 1.15 (a), 1.8(3) and 1.16(d).

The Supreme Court of Tennessee on Thursday suspended Davidson County lawyer Charles Edward Walker from the practice of law for three years, with two years to be served on active suspension and one year on probation. During the probationary period Walker must be supervised by a practice monitor. The court imposed the discipline after finding that Walker failed to correct statements made to a lower court; failed to disclose his disciplinary history; prepared legal documents that were deceitful; was found in willful contempt of an injunction; and was convicted of criminal contempt in a court in Texas. His actions were determined to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1 and 8.4 (a), (c) and (d).

Sequatchie County lawyer Philip Andes Condra was reinstated to the practice of law today after being placed on inactive status May 28, 2014. Condra filed a petition for reinstatement, which the Board of Professional Responsibility found to be satisfactory.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated McNairy County lawyer Bobby Gene Gray to the practice of law yesterday. Gray was suspended on Jan. 7 for three years, with eight months to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation, but the  suspension was ordered to be retroactive to May 1, 2020.

Shelby County lawyer Elbert Everett Edwards received a censure today from the Supreme Court of Tennessee. The court conditioned the censure on Edwards attending the next Board of Professional Responsibility Ethics Workshop. The court found that while working as a contract attorney for a debt collection company, Edwards failed to contact a client, who was unaware of the representation. The client later objected to the contingency fee charged by Edwards after collecting the debt. Edwards agreed to a conditional guilty plea admitting his conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.4 and 8.4.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended 71 lawyers yesterday for failing to pay the state professional privilege tax as required by Tennessee Code Annotated 67-4-1702. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 26, attorneys who are deemed noncompliant for 90 days or more are summarily suspended. See the online list or view the order. Those who comply with the rule will be noted as reinstated.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday referred the case of Knox County lawyer Keri Elizabeth Rule to the Board of Professional Responsibility for whatever action the board deems warranted. The court took the step after learning that Rule had pleaded guilty to and was convicted of the charge of driving under the influence (DUI) and two counts of reckless endangerment.

Tracy Anne Eaton of Des Moines, Iowa, filed a petition for reinstatement to the practice of law in Tennessee on Nov. 2, 2020. On Nov. 17, 2020, the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education filed a response in opposition to the petition, citing Eaton’s failure to pay fees and establish compliance with mandatory CLE requirements for two compliance years. The commission sent two letters to Eaton notifying her of its position. She did not respond. The Tennessee Supreme Court dismissed her petition on Feb. 22 without prejudice.

Three lawyers have been reinstated to the practice of law after being moved to inactive status more than five years ago. They are: Joe Blackburn Brown and Brien Philip Campbell of Davidson County and Brian Jamie Hunt of Anderson County.