BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2006)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JOHN HOUSER PARKER, #10326
CONTACT: JESSE D. JOSEPH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 11, 2006
MEMPHIS LAWYER DISBARRED
John Houser Parker, a Memphis lawyer, was disbarred from the practice of law
by order of the Supreme Court of Tennessee filed on November 30, 2006. Pursuant to Section 18.5
of Supreme Court Rule 9, the disbarment becomes effective ten days after the filing date of this order,
or on December 11, 2006. Parker has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law since
July 29, 2004 - - the date of the Tennessee Supreme Court's order finding that he misappropriated
client funds to his own use, and that he posed a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public.
Parker's disbarment arose out of a petition for discipline which was filed against him on August
9, 2005 and which was heard before a Hearing Committee Panel of the Board on May 23, 2006. By
Judgment of the Hearing Panel entered on July 24, 2006, the Panel concluded that Parker had
violated the authorities as cited by the Board in the petition and recommended that he be disbarred.
The Hearing Panel found that between 1999 and June of 2004, Parker had misappropriated
and stolen in excess of $300,000 from the client escrow account of his former law firm, Rossie,
Luckett & Ridder, and from private trust accounts and Probate estates, regarding which he served as
trustee and Administrator, CTA.
Accordingly, the Hearing Panel ordered as a prerequisite to any petition for reinstatement
which he may file, that Parker make restitution of all misappropriated and stolen amounts to his
former law firm, and to the private trusts or such trusts' representatives, with proper credit to be given
him for any amounts covered by insurance, fidelity bond or other sources. The Panel also ordered as
a prerequisite to the filing of any reinstatement petition, that Parker is required to pay any further
amounts to any of the victims of his theft as required by final judgments of courts with competent
jurisdiction, or final arbitration awards which may include additional amounts such as fines, interest
and attorney fees. Finally, the Panel concluded in its Judgment that Parker is required to pay further
amounts to different entities or individuals, or to the Tennessee Lawyersâ Fund for Client Protection,
which represents any additional amounts he is adjudged to have stolen by an appropriate
reinstatement hearing committee panel.
Parker did not appeal the Hearing Panelâs Judgment to the Circuit or Chancery Court having
jurisdiction within 60 days after the mailing of said Judgment to him, as is required. Accordingly, the
Supreme Court found that the July 24, 2006 Hearing Panel Judgment was final and unappealable,
and adopted the Panelâs Judgment in its November 30, 2006 disbarment order.
This disciplinary matter was held pursuant to Supreme Court Rules 8 and 9. In Tennessee,
disbarred lawyers may, after five years, apply for reinstatement, but they must carry the burden of
proof by clear and convincing evidence that their reinstatement will not be detrimental to the integrity
and standing of the bar, or the administration of justice, or be subversive to the public interest.
Parker 1533-9 rel.doc
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