https://theethicsreporter.com Independent legal ethics journalism — holding the legal profession accountable. en-us https://theethicsreporter.com/article/spencer-michael-hecht-maryland-divorce-attorney-disbarred-intentional-dishonesty-apr02-2026 https://theethicsreporter.com/article/spencer-michael-hecht-maryland-divorce-attorney-disbarred-intentional-dishonesty-apr02-2026 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:19:42 GMT Quick Facts Who: Spencer Michael Hecht, founding attorney at Hecht & Associates, Rockville, Maryland What: Disbarred by the Maryland Supreme Court for intentional dishonesty and a pattern of misconduct Case: Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Spencer Michael Hecht, AG No. 37, Septembe https://theethicsreporter.com/article/doj-proposes-rule-shield-lawyers-state-bar-probes-apr02-2026 https://theethicsreporter.com/article/doj-proposes-rule-shield-lawyers-state-bar-probes-apr02-2026 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT From the Thornburgh Memo to the Reno Rules to the McDade Amendment, the Department of Justice has spent four decades trying to exempt its lawyers from state bar discipline. A new proposed rule is the latest chapter—and perhaps the most brazen. https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-supreme-court-disciplines-eight-attorneys-april1-2026 https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-supreme-court-disciplines-eight-attorneys-april1-2026 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT From a Keys attorney who double-booked himself across courthouses to a Texas lawyer convicted of killing two pedestrians, the Florida Supreme Court’s latest disciplinary orders reveal the full spectrum of professional failure—and the system designed to address it. https://theethicsreporter.com/article/do-no-harm-civil-rights-complaint-residency-discrimination-corewell-texas-tech-hca-mar31-2026 https://theethicsreporter.com/article/do-no-harm-civil-rights-complaint-residency-discrimination-corewell-texas-tech-hca-mar31-2026 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT When 97 percent of a residency program’s physicians trained abroad, in a country where the majority of medical graduates are American-trained, the numbers begin to speak for themselves. A new civil rights complaint asks whether three federally funded programs have crossed the line from legitim https://theethicsreporter.com/article/ronald-edward-durbin-ii-oklahoma-attorney-disbarred-after-115-rule-violations-first-amendment-auditing-and-a-disciplinary-case-the-supreme-court-called-almost-in-a-class-by-itself https://theethicsreporter.com/article/ronald-edward-durbin-ii-oklahoma-attorney-disbarred-after-115-rule-violations-first-amendment-auditing-and-a-disciplinary-case-the-supreme-court-called-almost-in-a-class-by-itself Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:53:02 GMT Ronald Edward Durbin II: The YouTube “Auditor” Who Turned the Practice of Law Into a Weapon How a Tulsa attorney spent fifteen years as a licensed practitioner, reinvented himself as a First Amendment crusader, and amassed 115 rule violations on his way to one of the most extraordinary d https://theethicsreporter.com/article/ariel-mitchell-miami-attorney-suspended-75-days-for-lying-to-the-florida-bar-the-courts-and-the-press-and-the-number-that-tells-the-real-story https://theethicsreporter.com/article/ariel-mitchell-miami-attorney-suspended-75-days-for-lying-to-the-florida-bar-the-courts-and-the-press-and-the-number-that-tells-the-real-story Sun, 29 Mar 2026 18:21:53 GMT By The Ethics Reporter Editorial Board | March 29, 2026 Ariel Mitchell: Miami Attorney Suspended 75 Days for Lying to the Florida Bar, the Courts, and the Press — and the Number That Tells the Real Story   ⚖️ QUICK FACTS Attorney: Ariel Elise Mitchell, Florida Bar No. 125714 Discipline: 75-day https://theethicsreporter.com/article/jianming-shen-new-york-immigration-attorney-publicly-censured-for-commingling-nearly-3-million-in-client-funds-and-making-false-statements-to-eight-individuals https://theethicsreporter.com/article/jianming-shen-new-york-immigration-attorney-publicly-censured-for-commingling-nearly-3-million-in-client-funds-and-making-false-statements-to-eight-individuals Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:02:43 GMT The rules governing attorney trust accounts exist for one reason: to protect clients from the moment their money enters an attorney’s possession until the moment it reaches its intended destination. Those rules are not suggestions. They are the minimum floor beneath which no licensed attorney https://theethicsreporter.com/article/omid-zareh-new-york-attorney-publicly-censured-after-federal-court-finds-legal-brief-was-ai-generated-and-unverified https://theethicsreporter.com/article/omid-zareh-new-york-attorney-publicly-censured-after-federal-court-finds-legal-brief-was-ai-generated-and-unverified Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:20:15 GMT INTRODUCTION The legal profession has a word for what an attorney does when they cite a case to a court: representation. When a lawyer writes “see Smith v. Jones, 400 F.3d 112 (5th Cir. 2005)” in a brief, they are telling the judge — under the professional obligations that come with thei https://theethicsreporter.com/article/we-wrote-to-every-law-school-dean-in-america-heres-why https://theethicsreporter.com/article/we-wrote-to-every-law-school-dean-in-america-heres-why Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:43:04 GMT The Ethics Reporter Sends Open Letter to All 201 U.S. Law School Deans The Ethics Reporter has formally written to every dean of every ABA-accredited law school in the United States, demanding answers to a question no institution has yet had the courage to address: why are law schools still collecti https://theethicsreporter.com/article/simone-melissa-gold-doctor-lawyer-and-january-6-capitol-participant-suspended-five-years-by-new-york-bar-despite-presidential-pardon https://theethicsreporter.com/article/simone-melissa-gold-doctor-lawyer-and-january-6-capitol-participant-suspended-five-years-by-new-york-bar-despite-presidential-pardon Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:32:21 GMT When Simone Melissa Gold entered the United States Capitol building on January 6, 2021, she was a licensed physician and a licensed attorney  two credentials that together represent years of education, sworn professional obligations, and a public trust that few people in any field carry simultaneous https://theethicsreporter.com/article/from-trusted-counsel-to-disbarred-the-fall-of-evie-p-jeang https://theethicsreporter.com/article/from-trusted-counsel-to-disbarred-the-fall-of-evie-p-jeang Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:01:17 GMT How a California Family Law Attorney Stole Nearly $5 Million from Clients, Fabricated Bank Records, and Ultimately Lost Her License in Two States INTRODUCTION In the world of legal ethics, few violations are as fundamental — or as damning — as the misappropriation of client funds. Attorney trust acc https://theethicsreporter.com/article/jamie-t-ferrara-new-york-attorney-disbarred-for-refusing-to-cooperate-with-disciplinary-investigation-ninth-judicial-district https://theethicsreporter.com/article/jamie-t-ferrara-new-york-attorney-disbarred-for-refusing-to-cooperate-with-disciplinary-investigation-ninth-judicial-district Sun, 22 Mar 2026 17:55:07 GMT On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department disbarred attorney Jamie T. Ferrara. The disbarment was based on Ferrara’s failure to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation by the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial Distric https://theethicsreporter.com/article/terrance-j-dougherty-new-york-real-estate-attorney-disbarred-after-pleading-guilty-to-grand-larceny-scheme-targeting-30-victims https://theethicsreporter.com/article/terrance-j-dougherty-new-york-real-estate-attorney-disbarred-after-pleading-guilty-to-grand-larceny-scheme-targeting-30-victims Sat, 21 Mar 2026 21:49:30 GMT On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department granted a motion to disbar attorney Terrance J. Dougherty. Martindale The disbarment was not discretionary. Under New York Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a), a felony conviction automatically strips an https://theethicsreporter.com/article/lamon-darrell-bland-new-york-attorney-disbarred-after-refusing-to-cooperate-with-grievance-committee-investigation https://theethicsreporter.com/article/lamon-darrell-bland-new-york-attorney-disbarred-after-refusing-to-cooperate-with-grievance-committee-investigation Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:20:23 GMT On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department disbarred attorney Lamon Darrell Bland, effective immediately. Wikipedia The disbarment was not the result of a finding of client harm, financial fraud, or criminal conduct. It was the result of som https://theethicsreporter.com/article/anthony-michael-pastel-new-york-public-defender-disbarred-after-pleading-guilty-to-felony-assault-fractured-ex-girlfriends-skull https://theethicsreporter.com/article/anthony-michael-pastel-new-york-public-defender-disbarred-after-pleading-guilty-to-felony-assault-fractured-ex-girlfriends-skull Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:48:23 GMT Anthony Michael Pastel, a former assistant public defender in Columbia and Greene Counties in upstate New York, was automatically disbarred by the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court in March 2022 following his guilty plea to a felony assault charge. The underlying conduct was severe: P https://theethicsreporter.com/article/teresa-schiele-roper-apopka-workers-compensation-attorney-suspended-after-felony-battery-conviction-involving-law-enforcement-officer https://theethicsreporter.com/article/teresa-schiele-roper-apopka-workers-compensation-attorney-suspended-after-felony-battery-conviction-involving-law-enforcement-officer Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:54:52 GMT Teresa Schiele Roper, an Apopka attorney with more than 35 years of practice in workers’ compensation, civil litigation, and local government law, was suspended from the Florida Bar following a felony conviction for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer. The suspension, effective December 21, 2 https://theethicsreporter.com/article/emelike-nwosuocha-florida-bar-suspended-miami-attorney-508-days-after-his-death https://theethicsreporter.com/article/emelike-nwosuocha-florida-bar-suspended-miami-attorney-508-days-after-his-death Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:22:16 GMT The disciplinary case of Emelike Nwosuocha is unlike any other in the Florida Bar’s January 1, 2026 disciplinary cycle — and unlike almost any other in recent memory. On December 11, 2025, the Florida Supreme Court suspended Nwosuocha for three years and ordered him to pay $1,250 in costs for https://theethicsreporter.com/article/john-arthur-leklem-orlando-attorney-suspended-90-days-for-contempt-failed-to-complete-required-bar-review-after-prior-suspension https://theethicsreporter.com/article/john-arthur-leklem-orlando-attorney-suspended-90-days-for-contempt-failed-to-complete-required-bar-review-after-prior-suspension Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:57:23 GMT John Arthur Leklem, an Orlando litigation attorney who has been licensed to practice law in Florida since 1976, was suspended for 90 days by the Florida Supreme Court following a November 14, 2025 contempt order. The suspension, effective 30 days from the order date, arose not from new misconduct bu https://theethicsreporter.com/article/lisa-jacobs-florida-attorney-disbarred-after-third-contempt-aventura-lawyer-refused-to-notify-clients-of-suspe https://theethicsreporter.com/article/lisa-jacobs-florida-attorney-disbarred-after-third-contempt-aventura-lawyer-refused-to-notify-clients-of-suspe Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:39:27 GMT Lisa Jacobs, an Aventura attorney admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999, was disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court on December 15, 2025 — not for the underlying misconduct that originally got her suspended, but for a pattern of deliberate noncompliance that stretched across multiple court orders, mul https://theethicsreporter.com/article/lisa-jacobs-florida-attorney-disbarred-after-third-contempt-aventura-lawyer-refused-to-notify-clients-of-suspension https://theethicsreporter.com/article/lisa-jacobs-florida-attorney-disbarred-after-third-contempt-aventura-lawyer-refused-to-notify-clients-of-suspension Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:52:49 GMT Lisa Jacobs, an Aventura attorney admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999, was disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court on December 15, 2025 — not for the underlying misconduct that originally got her suspended, but for a pattern of deliberate noncompliance that stretched across multiple court orders, mul https://theethicsreporter.com/article/augustus-sol-invictus-florida-attorney-suspended-after-felony-conviction-tied-to-charlottesville-torch-march https://theethicsreporter.com/article/augustus-sol-invictus-florida-attorney-suspended-after-felony-conviction-tied-to-charlottesville-torch-march Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:33:54 GMT Who Is Augustus Sol Invictus? Augustus Sol Invictus — born Austin Mitchell Gillespie on July 31, 1984 — is a Florida attorney, far-right political activist, and convicted felon whose legal career has now been overtaken by the consequences of his participation in one of the most infamous episodes of https://theethicsreporter.com/article/formal-complaint-susan-g-yellen-and-amy-m-eisenberg-new-york-attorneys-accused-of-ethics-violations-tied-to-eisenpress-judicial-misconduct-scandal https://theethicsreporter.com/article/formal-complaint-susan-g-yellen-and-amy-m-eisenberg-new-york-attorneys-accused-of-ethics-violations-tied-to-eisenpress-judicial-misconduct-scandal Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:38:04 GMT The Ethics Reporter is an independent legal accountability publication dedicated to transparency in the professional conduct of attorneys, judges, and disciplinary bodies. We report on official findings, public records, and documented allegations that bear on the integrity of the legal profession. O https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-joseph-anthony-gasparro-suspended-indefinitely-after-ignoring-multiple-client-complaints-and-bar-inquiries https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-joseph-anthony-gasparro-suspended-indefinitely-after-ignoring-multiple-client-complaints-and-bar-inquiries Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:29:42 GMT WHO IS JOSEPH ANTHONY GASPARRO? Joseph Anthony Gasparro is a Jacksonville, Florida attorney who was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2015. He operated his own firm, Joseph A. Gasparro, PA, and was also a member of the Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division. His practice spanned criminal defense, c https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-robert-michael-fojo-disbarred-after-multi-state-client-fund-misappropriation-and-disciplinary-resignation https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-robert-michael-fojo-disbarred-after-multi-state-client-fund-misappropriation-and-disciplinary-resignation Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:06:25 GMT A Florida-admitted attorney lost his law license in three jurisdictions — New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Florida — after being found to have misappropriated nearly $100,000 in client settlement funds, lied to disciplinary investigators, and defied court orders. WHO IS ROBERT MICHAEL FOJO? Robert https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-dawn-marie-calache-publicly-reprimanded-after-nonlawyer-assistant-misappropriates-client-immigration-funds https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-dawn-marie-calache-publicly-reprimanded-after-nonlawyer-assistant-misappropriates-client-immigration-funds Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:17:50 GMT A Port Orange attorney who expanded her practice into immigration law received a public reprimand, mandatory ethics training, and an order to repay former clients after her unlicensed staff member accepted immigration fees, failed to file visa applications, and in at least one case cashed a client&# https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-aram-caldarera-bloom-suspended-three-years-after-repeated-violations-and-contempt-findings https://theethicsreporter.com/article/florida-attorney-aram-caldarera-bloom-suspended-three-years-after-repeated-violations-and-contempt-findings Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:26:57 GMT A Miami-based litigation attorney’s career has unraveled through a series of escalating disciplinary actions — from client neglect and missed deadlines to outright contempt of court — spanning more than two years. Aram Caldarera Bloom is a Florida-licensed litigation attorney who graduated fro https://theethicsreporter.com/article/60-day-suspension-the-disciplinary-case-of-william-gautier-kitchen https://theethicsreporter.com/article/60-day-suspension-the-disciplinary-case-of-william-gautier-kitchen Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:17:15 GMT The relationship between an attorney and their client is built on a foundation of communication and diligence. When a lawyer fails to appear for hearings or abandons a client during critical legal proceedings, the judicial system must act to preserve the integrity of the bar. For Tallahassee-based a https://theethicsreporter.com/article/90-day-suspension-the-disciplinary-case-of-noam-jay-cohen https://theethicsreporter.com/article/90-day-suspension-the-disciplinary-case-of-noam-jay-cohen Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:54:55 GMT In the legal profession, a lawyer’s conduct during litigation is governed by strict rules of professionalism and respect for the judiciary. When an attorney’s behavior crosses the line into aggression or negligence toward court orders, the Florida Supreme Court acts to maintain the integ https://theethicsreporter.com/article/one-year-suspension-the-case-of-davie-attorney-dawn-m-aufenanger https://theethicsreporter.com/article/one-year-suspension-the-case-of-davie-attorney-dawn-m-aufenanger Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:36:44 GMT The legal profession requires a dedicated commitment to diligence, communication, and the active progression of client matters. When an attorney repeatedly fails to meet these standards, the Florida Supreme Court intervenes to protect the public interest. For Davie-based attorney Dawn M. Aufenanger https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-fox-guarding-the-henhouse-how-susan-yellens-law-partner-amy-eisenberg-helped-a-corrupt-judge-escape-accountability-and-why-yellen-has-no-business-chairing-the-committee-that-di https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-fox-guarding-the-henhouse-how-susan-yellens-law-partner-amy-eisenberg-helped-a-corrupt-judge-escape-accountability-and-why-yellen-has-no-business-chairing-the-committee-that-di Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:10:34 GMT INTRODUCTION The resignation of Justice Sherri L. Eisenpress from the Supreme Court of the Ninth Judicial District in Rockland County, New York, marks one of the most significant breaches of judicial ethics in the history of the regional judiciary. This report details a comprehensive investigation i https://theethicsreporter.com/article/inside-the-inner-circle-how-judge-david-fried-and-justice-sherri-eisenpress-built-a-judicial-empire-on-cronyism-conflicts-and-cover-ups https://theethicsreporter.com/article/inside-the-inner-circle-how-judge-david-fried-and-justice-sherri-eisenpress-built-a-judicial-empire-on-cronyism-conflicts-and-cover-ups Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:33:24 GMT Rockland County’s Ninth Judicial District Under Scrutiny An Investigation into Bias, Favoritism, and the Erosion of Judicial Independence The administration of justice in the State of New York is fundamentally anchored by the mandate that the judiciary remain independent, impartial, and free from ev https://theethicsreporter.com/article/two-year-suspension-the-case-of-atlantic-beach-attorney-kelly-brook-hampton https://theethicsreporter.com/article/two-year-suspension-the-case-of-atlantic-beach-attorney-kelly-brook-hampton Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:26:29 GMT Maintaining public trust in the legal profession requires strict adherence to the rules of diligence and honesty. When an attorney repeatedly fails to communicate or misrepresents the status of cases to their clients, the Florida Supreme Court intervenes with significant disciplinary measures. For A https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-case-of-wellington-attorney-jeffrey-marc-siskind https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-case-of-wellington-attorney-jeffrey-marc-siskind Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:34:17 GMT The duty of an attorney to handle client funds with absolute transparency is the bedrock of the legal profession. When that trust is betrayed through the misappropriation of funds, the Florida Supreme Court takes the most severe disciplinary action possible. For Wellington-based attorney Jeffrey Mar https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disciplinary-revocation-the-case-of-patricia-anne-bronson https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disciplinary-revocation-the-case-of-patricia-anne-bronson Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:56:27 GMT Trust is the bedrock of the legal profession. When an attorney is convicted of a felony or involved in conduct that endangers the public, the Florida Supreme Court acts decisively. For Tampa-based attorney Patricia Anne Bronson (also known as Patricia Anne Horal, Bar No. 44197), a series of criminal https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-case-of-miguel-fernando-mirabal https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-case-of-miguel-fernando-mirabal Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:28:53 GMT The integrity of the judiciary is the foundation of public trust in the legal system. When a legal professional seeks judicial office through deceptive means, the consequences are definitive. For Coral Gables-based attorney and former judge-elect Miguel Fernando Mirabal (also known as Mike Mirabal, https://theethicsreporter.com/article/30-day-suspension-for-attorney-cristina-bosmenier https://theethicsreporter.com/article/30-day-suspension-for-attorney-cristina-bosmenier Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:55:57 GMT Maintaining the highest standards of professional and personal conduct is a requirement for all members of the legal profession. When an attorney faces challenges that impact their fitness to practice or their compliance with Bar programs, the Florida Supreme Court takes corrective action. For Flori https://theethicsreporter.com/article/three-year-suspension-the-case-of-boca-raton-attorney-w-jeffrey-barnes https://theethicsreporter.com/article/three-year-suspension-the-case-of-boca-raton-attorney-w-jeffrey-barnes Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:55:39 GMT In the legal profession, an attorney’s reputation is built on candor and compliance across all jurisdictions where they hold a license. When a lawyer engages in deceptive practices or fails to respect the integrity of the bench, the Florida Supreme Court takes corrective action to safeguard th https://theethicsreporter.com/article/three-year-suspension-the-case-of-miami-attorney-aram-caldarera-bloom https://theethicsreporter.com/article/three-year-suspension-the-case-of-miami-attorney-aram-caldarera-bloom Sun, 15 Feb 2026 18:57:13 GMT The integrity of the legal profession in Florida is maintained by the strict enforcement of the Rules of Professional Conduct. When an attorney fails to comply with court orders or neglects client matters, the Florida Supreme Court intervenes to protect the public. For Miami-based attorney Aram Cald https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-and-new-sanctions-the-case-of-nickola-j-cunha https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-and-new-sanctions-the-case-of-nickola-j-cunha Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:01:21 GMT The integrity of the legal system is upheld through strict adherence to truth and professional conduct. For former Hamden, Connecticut, attorney Nickola J. Cunha (Attorney No. 417277), a series of explosive allegations against the judiciary and multiple ethical breaches have led to her permanent rem https://theethicsreporter.com/article/misconduct-allegations-against-pawcatuck-attorney-raymond-trebisacci https://theethicsreporter.com/article/misconduct-allegations-against-pawcatuck-attorney-raymond-trebisacci Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:28:35 GMT Professional ethics and the fiduciary handling of client funds are the cornerstones of a lawyer’s duty to the public. For long-time Pawcatuck attorney Raymond Trebisacci (Attorney No. 301416), these obligations are currently under intense judicial scrutiny. As of early 2026, the Connecticut Su https://theethicsreporter.com/article/ethical-boundaries-in-illinois-estate-planning-a-closer-look-at-madison-r-miller https://theethicsreporter.com/article/ethical-boundaries-in-illinois-estate-planning-a-closer-look-at-madison-r-miller Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:50:56 GMT A Closer Look at Competence, Fees, and Trust Decanting Estate planning is an area of law where clients place an extraordinary amount of trust in their attorney. Decisions made in this context often affect family relationships, fiduciary duties, tax exposure, and long-term financial security. Because https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-end-of-hunter-bidens-connecticut-legal-career https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-end-of-hunter-bidens-connecticut-legal-career Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:32:16 GMT The legal standing of high-profile figures often serves as a barometer of professional ethics enforcement. For Hunter Biden (Attorney No. 414168), a Yale Law School graduate and son of the 46th President, a series of federal convictions and subsequent disciplinary hearings culminated in the permanen https://theethicsreporter.com/article/nashville-attorney-robert-joseph-turner-suspended https://theethicsreporter.com/article/nashville-attorney-robert-joseph-turner-suspended Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:18:26 GMT In the legal field, the “lead counsel” title carries more than just prestige—it carries absolute ethical responsibility. For Nashville-based attorney Robert Joseph Turner (BPR Number 015107), a pattern of supervisory failures and office mismanagement has led to a significant professional https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-criminal-misconduct-of-robert-allen-doll-iii https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-criminal-misconduct-of-robert-allen-doll-iii Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:50:45 GMT The integrity of the legal profession is anchored in the honesty of its practitioners before the court. When an attorney orchestrates a scheme to deceive the judiciary through perjury and forgery, the professional consequences are absolute. For Nashville-based attorney Robert Allen Doll III (BPR No. https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-fall-of-former-judge-perry-lee-stout https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-fall-of-former-judge-perry-lee-stout Sun, 08 Feb 2026 11:53:06 GMT The integrity of the bench and the bar is paramount to the public’s trust in the legal system. When a judicial officer transitions from upholding the law to violating it through serious criminal activity, the disciplinary response is absolute. For Perry Lee Stout (BPR No. 023917), a former Gen https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-case-of-memphis-attorney-sheila-l-robinson-beasley https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-case-of-memphis-attorney-sheila-l-robinson-beasley Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:35:40 GMT The fundamental duty of an attorney is to safeguard the trust and assets of their clients. When that trust is violated through the misuse of funds, the Tennessee Supreme Court acts decisively to protect the public. For Shelby County lawyer Sheila L. Robinson-Beasley (BPR No. 013937), a history of mi https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-case-of-roane-county-attorney-christopher-shawn-roberts https://theethicsreporter.com/article/permanent-disbarment-the-case-of-roane-county-attorney-christopher-shawn-roberts Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:09:55 GMT The integrity of the legal system relies on attorneys providing competent, diligent, and honest representation. When a lawyer repeatedly fails these standards and abandons their duties to their clients, the Tennessee Supreme Court takes final action. For Rockwood and Kingston-based attorney Christop https://theethicsreporter.com/article/rockland-county-judge-david-fried-who-touts-his-relationship-to-epstein-associates-castigates-muslim-lawyer-for-creating-a-record https://theethicsreporter.com/article/rockland-county-judge-david-fried-who-touts-his-relationship-to-epstein-associates-castigates-muslim-lawyer-for-creating-a-record Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:00:15 GMT While we’re not in the habit of filing bar complaints against lawyers and judges (in fact, we’ve never done so until last night), the behavior of Judge David Fried called for it.  After receiving a series of tips from different individuals about his behavior in the courtroom and outside of the court https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-case-of-knoxville-attorney-melvin-jacob-werner https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-case-of-knoxville-attorney-melvin-jacob-werner Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:12:32 GMT The ethical duty to manage client funds with absolute integrity is the cornerstone of the legal profession. When an attorney is found to have committed fraud and misappropriated those funds, the disciplinary response is often the most severe possible. For Knoxville, Tennessee attorney Melvin Jacob W https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-professional-downfall-of-jocelyn-doria-mims https://theethicsreporter.com/article/the-professional-downfall-of-jocelyn-doria-mims Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:46:01 GMT The integrity of the justice system relies on attorneys following the law as rigorously as they practice it. When a legal professional actively subverts the law they are sworn to uphold, the disciplinary consequences are final. For Gallatin, Tennessee attorney Jocelyn Doria Mims (BPR Number 023786),