Improperly Dipping Into Trust Account Costs Another Attorney His Law License; Order Lists Four Clients Victimized Out Of $22K+

In Madison County, Tennessee, WBBJ-TV Channel 7 reports:

• A local lawyer has been disbarred from practicing law by the Tennessee Supreme Court, according to a release from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee.
  
  Marshall Scott Smith has been disbarred as of Nov. 18 and must make restitution to his former clients, according to the release.(1)(2) He also must pay the board’s costs and expenses as well as court costs.
  
  Smith is not eligible for reinstatement to practice law because this is his second disbarment as he was previously disbarred and reinstated, according to the release.
  
  Smith reportedly failed to deposit settlement funds into his trust account, misappropriated funds from clients, accepted fees for which little or no work was done, and failed to adequately communicate with his clients, among other misconduct.

Source: Madison Co. lawyer disbarred from practicing law.

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(1) The Tennessee Lawyers' Fund For Client Protection was was established to reimburse claimants for losses caused by dishonest conduct committed by lawyers duly licensed to practice in the state. 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 (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.

(2) According to the Order of Enforcement, Smith was ordered to pay restitution to four clients in an amount totaling approximately $22,700.