The Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended Keith Alan Black effective Thursday from the practice of law for a period of three years, ordered restitution be paid in the amount of $2,250, and costs of the disciplinary proceeding be paid to the Board.
A Petition for Discipline, Supplemental Petition for Discipline and Second Supplemental Petition for Discipline involving three disciplinary complaints were filed against Mr. Black. At the conclusion of the final hearing, the Hearing Panel determined Mr. Black failed to reasonably communicate with and diligently represent his clients, failed to notify clients of his temporary suspension from the practice of law, failed to withdraw as attorney of record in pending cases and abandoned his practice. Mr. Black also failed to respond to the Board regarding the disciplinary complaints.
Mr. Black’s unethical conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, Competence; 1.3 Diligence; 1.5, Fees; 1.16, Declining and Terminating Representation; 3.2, Expediting Litigation; 3.4, Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel; 8.1, Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4, Misconduct.
Mr. Black must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 18 and 30, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and may not return to the active practice of law until an order of reinstatement has been entered by the Supreme Court.
Black 2676-3 rel.doc