Tennessee Lawyer Gets Bar Boot While Awaiting Sentencing On 15 Felony Counts Involving $298K+ Swindle Of Unwitting Clients' Settlement Cash

In Nashville, Tennessee, The Tennessean reports:

• A Nashville lawyer facing criminal consequences for stealing money from clients was disbarred [] by the Tennessee Supreme Court and can no longer practice law.
  
  John L. Lowery, 50, was disbarred June 24 for violating eight rules on communication, safekeeping of funds and misconduct, among others.
  
  "Mr. Lowery settled nine cases without his clients’ knowledge or consent, signed their names to settlement checks without their permission, misappropriated the settlement funds and made misrepresentations to the clients to make them think their cases were progressing normally," a news release from the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility says. The board oversees lawyer conduct and discipline in the state.
  
  Lowery's lack of work in another case led to it being dismissed and he did not tell his client, according to the board.
  
  Lowery can petition to have his license to practice law reinstated if he pays more than $298,000 restitution to his clients and more than $1,000 in fees to the board, according to Disciplinary Counsel Bill Moody.
  
  In the separate criminal case, according to the news release, Lowery pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and eight counts of forgery. His sentencing is scheduled for July 29 before Nashville Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier.

Source: Nashville lawyer disbarred amid criminal theft case.

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(1) The Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund For Client Protection was established to reimburse claimants for losses caused by dishonest conduct committed by lawyers duly licensed to practice in Tennessee. See Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 25 for more information.

For similar "attorney ripoff reimbursement funds" that attempt to clean up the financial mess created by the dishonest conduct of lawyers licensed in other states and Canada, see:

• Directory Of Lawyers' Funds For Client Protection (now includes a listing for Canadian client protection funds, courtesy of the American Bar Association);
• Check the USA Client Protection Funds Map;
• Check the Canada Client Protection Funds Map.

Maps available courtesy of The National Client Protection Organization, Inc.