Effective May 13, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended Chattanooga attorney Arthur C. Grisham, Jr. from the practice of law for five years pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9.
As a condition precedent to reinstatement Mr. Grisham must pay restitution to both complainants.
Following successful reinstatement Mr. Grisham shall be required to use a practice monitor for one year.
A Petition for Discipline containing two complaints was filed by the Board alleging Mr. Grisham failed to reasonably communicate with his clients regarding the status of their case; failed to act in a diligent manner and expedite the clients’ litigation; failed to abide by court orders, charged unreasonable fees; failed to safeguard client funds; failed to provide required information to successor attorneys; was found in both civil and criminal contempt; and abused his position as executor by withdrawing estate funds without court order and caused estate insolvency.
Mr. Grisham executed a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence)1.3 (diligence); 1.4 (communication); 1.5 (fees); 3.2 (expediting litigation); 3.4 (fairness to opposing party and counsel); and 8.4 (misconduct). Mr. Grisham must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30.4 regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.