Attorney Kevin Lee Featherston, of Chattanooga has been suspended for 90 days by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. The suspension is effective beginning Oct. 31.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against attorney Featherston pursuant to Rule 9 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee.
It says Mr. Featherston breached his fiduciary duty to his law firm by failing to report income and expenditures he received through a jointly owned title company to his fellow law firm shareholders.
Further, Mr. Featherston made a number of unauthorized withdrawals from the title company for personal expenses and purchases, it was stated.
A Hearing Panel recommended that Mr. Featherston be suspended for 30 days. The Board appealed the Hearing Panel’s recommendation by filing a Writ of Certiorari to the Chancery Court of Hamilton County. The Court found that the suspension should be increased to 90 days. Neither party appealed from the court’s decision.
Mr. Featherston is also required to pay the Board’s costs in this matter.
Mr. Featherston’s actions violate the following Rule(s) of Professional Conduct: 1.15, Safekeeping of Property and 8.4(b)(c), Misconduct, it was stated.
Mr. Featherston must comply with Section 18 of Rule 9, Rules of the Supreme Court, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.