BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2015)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
10 CADILLAC DRIVE, SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JOSEPH BRENT NOLAN, BPR# 15237
CONTACT: WILLIAM C. MOODY
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
June 29, 2015
KNOX COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On June 26, 2015, Joseph Brent Nolan, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice of
law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for six (6) months. In addition, Mr. Nolan must make restitution
as a condition of his reinstatement. The order was effective upon entry. Mr. Nolan must pay the Boardâs costs
and expenses and the court costs within ninety days of the entry of the Order of Enforcement.
Mr. Nolan delegated sole responsibility for management of his trust account to his mother, a nonlawyer
employee. She used the trust account, without his knowledge, in order to pay the expenses of his law practice
and other businesses owned by Mr. Nolan. As a result, a client did not receive all the proceeds of a settlement to
which he was entitled and a subrogation claim was not paid. Mr. Nolan failed to communicate adequately with
the client and failed to provide him with a settlement statement. Mr. Nolanâs failure to adequately supervise his
nonlawyer employee was addressed in a related matter and he is currently serving a two (2) year suspension,
with one (1) year active suspension and one (1) year on probation.
Mr. Nolanâs actions violated RPC 1.4 (communication), 1.5(c) (fees), 1.15(a) and (d) (safekeeping
property and funds), 5.3 (responsibilities regarding nonlawyer assistants) and 8.4(a) (misconduct).
Mr. Nolan must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30,
regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Nolan 2383-2 rel.doc