Ringger1144-1286 rel.PDF (2002)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
LANCE B. BRACY WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL 1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 CHARLES A. HIGH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 SANDY GARRETT
LAURA L. CHASTAIN
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 JESSE D. JOSEPH
(800) 486-5714 JAMES A. VICK
BEVERLY P. SHARPE FAX: (615) 367- 2480 THERESA M. COSTONIS
CONSUMER COUNSEL/DIRECTOR E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: LOUIS W. RINGGER, JR, BPR #6559
CONTACT: SANDY GARRETT
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 9 , 2002
LAW LICENSE OF DECATURVILLE ATTORNEY SUSPENDED
On October 2, 2002, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an Order suspending the law
license of Louis W. Ringger, Jr., for a period of fourteen months, retroactive to Mr. Ringgerâs
temporary suspension on May 8, 2001.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed petitions for discipline against Ringger
charging Ringger with preparing an inaccurate contract, deed, and sale agreement for a
closing; misadvising parties at the closing regarding tax claims, failure to pay off tax liens
from the proceeds of the closing, failure to disclose the existence of liens prior to the closing,
failure to make a complete accounting, and misappropriation of trust funds held by the
respondent after the closing. In another petition for discipline filed by the Board against
Ringger, the Board charged Ringger with being found in willful contempt by the Court of
Criminal Appeals in two separate cases for failing to file briefs, failing to file motions for
extension of time or permission to late file briefs and failing to otherwise contact the Court
concerning the status of the matter. Ringger also failed in both cases to respond to the
Court of Criminal Appealsâ orders resulting in show cause orders being issued by the Court
of Criminal Appeals against Ringger. The Board also charged Ringger with failing to
respond to Ringgerâs clientâs request for information regarding one of these criminal
appeals.
Ringger through counsel submitted a guilty plea admitting his violations of the Disciplinary
Rules and agreeing to a fourteen month suspension, retroactive to Ringgerâs temporary
suspension on May 8, 2001. The Hearing Panel, the Board of Professional Responsibility
and the Tennessee Supreme Court approved Ringgerâs g uilty plea which imposed a
fourteen months suspension retroactive to Ringgerâs temporary suspension on May 8,
2001; required Ringger to have a trust account monitor and practice monitor, approved by
Disciplinary Counsel, who shall make monthly reports to the Board for a period of two years
regarding Ringgerâs compliance with the Code of Professional Responsibility and
Extended Ringgerâs current Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program contract for an
additional five years.
Ringger may apply for reinstatement of his law license. To be reinstated, Ringger must
show by clear and convincing evidence that his reinstatement will not be detrimental to the
integrity and standing of the bar or the administration of justice or subversive to the public
interest.
SG:mw
Ringger1144-1286 rel.doc