The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday suspended Davidson County lawyer Carla L. Arevalo from the practice of law for four years, with three years to be served on active suspension. The court made the suspension retroactive to a temporary suspension imposed on Jan. 11, 2018. It also directed Arevalo to make restitution to her client and contact the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program for evaluation. The court found that Arevalo failed to respond to a disciplinary complaint, failed to promptly return files to her client, failed to refund fees, and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. She admitted her conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.16(d), 5.5(a), 8.1(b) and 8.4(a).

Shelby County lawyer A. Sais Phillips Finney was today temporarily suspended from the practice of law by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Finney failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding two complaints of misconduct. Finney is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by Nov. 28. After that time, Finney shall not use any indicia of lawyer, legal assistant, or law clerk nor maintain a presence where the practice of law is conducted. She must notify all clients being represented in pending matters, as well as co-counsel and opposing counsel of the Supreme Court’s Order suspending her law license. This suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the Supreme Court.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today permanently disbarred Unicoi County lawyer William Branch Lawson and ordered him to make restitution to clients in the amount of $67,850. The court took the action after finding that he (1) failed to appear in court or provide any legal services for which he was paid fees by clients; (2) failed to refund unearned fees to his clients; (3) misappropriated fees paid to him as well as funds held in his trust account for a third party; (4) failed to act with diligence in the representation of clients; (5) abandoned his practice; (6) failed to respond to requests for information; and (7) engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentations. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.5, 1.15, 1.16, 8.1 and 8.4(a) and (c).

Memphis lawyer Keisha Moses Richardson received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 23 after she was convicted of violating of an order of protection. The jury conviction was also affirmed on appeal. In addition, the court found that she failed to respond to a disciplinary complaint. The court determined that Richardson’s conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(b)(d)(g) and reflected adversely upon her fitness as a lawyer.

The Tennessee Supreme Court imposed a censure on Mississippi lawyer Candace Lenette Williamson on Oct. 23. The court found that Williamson was paid to represent a client but did not take any substantive action on behalf of the client. She also was found to have deceived the client into believing she filed petitions in both Mississippi and Tennessee though no petitions were filed. Finally, the court found that she failed to respond to the disciplinary complaint against her. Her actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(c)(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court imposed a censure on Jackson lawyer James Randall Krenis on Oct. 23. The court found that Krenis was paid a portion of a non-refundable fee to assist a client but failed to provide legal services until the full fee was paid. He also charged other unreasonable fees, and changed the scope of his representation and increased his fees without obtaining his client’s written consent or giving his client the opportunity to meet with independent counsel. Finally, the court found that Krenis failed to file any pleadings or make any court appearances on behalf of his client and failed to adequately communicate with his client about the status of the representation. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8(a) and 8.4(a)(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court imposed a censure on Knoxville lawyer Michael Edward Casas — who is licensed to practice law in the states of Florida and New York — on Oct. 23. The court found that Casas accepted a corporate counsel position in Tennessee without timely registering with the Board of Law Examiners and the Board of Professional Responsibility. In fact, he waited eight months before he completed the registration requirements. His actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 5.5(a).

On Oct. 23, Memphis lawyer Shannon David Elsea received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court after the court found that he failed to diligently represent and adequately communicate with two clients. With regard to the first case, the court found that Elsea provided deceptive information to the client as well as to the Board of Professional Responsibility. With regard to the second case, the court found that Elsea deceived his client into believing a settlement had occurred and deceived the court clerk and opposing counsel as to the true status of the case. In mitigation, Elsea acknowledged that he was experiencing personal issues that caused him undue stress and anxiety, which he is addressing. His actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.2, 4.1, 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(c)(d).

Nashville lawyer Jamaal L. Boykin received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court today. The court found that Boykin, after he was retained to represent a client in a bankruptcy proceeding, never filed a petition with the court but led his client to believe that he did. Boykin then ceased communicating with his client and effectively abandoned the representation. In mitigation, Boykin corrected the issues which led to his misconduct and provided a full refund to the client. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16 and 8.4(a)(c)(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court denied a petition for dissolution of suspension from Knox County lawyer Mark Steven Graham on Oct. 2. Graham was suspended in March after the court found that he misappropriated funds and posed a threat of substantial harm to the public. On June 29, Graham filed a petition for dissolution of the suspension. The Board of Professional Responsibility held a hearing on the matter and recommended that the suspension remain in place. The court agreed and rejected Graham’s petition.