lawson-3051.pdf (2020)
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10/27/2020
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
IN RE: WILLIAM BRANCH LAWSON, BPR #010796
AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN TENNESSEE
(Unicoi County)
________________________
NO. M2020-01441-SC-BAR-BP
BOPR NO. 2019-3051-1-TL
________________________
ORDER OF ENFORCEMENT
This matter is before the Court upon a Petition for Discipline filed against Attorney
William Branch Lawson on November 12, 2019; upon a Motion for Default Judgment and
That Charges in Petition for Discipline Be Deemed Admitted filed February 10, 2020; upon
an Order for Default Judgment entered March 18, 2020; upon final hearing held May 7,
2020; upon Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law entered July 1, 2020; upon service
of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law of the Hearing Panel on Mr. Lawson by
the Executive Secretary of the Board on July 1, 2020; upon the Boardâs Application for
Assessment of Costs filed July 16, 2020; upon Findings and Judgment of Assessment of
Costs entered August 11, 2020; upon service of the Findings and Judgment of Assessment
of Costs upon Mr. Lawson on August 11, 2020; upon consideration and approval by the
Board on September 11, 2020; upon expiration of the appeal period with no appeal taken;
and upon the entire record in this cause.
On May 24, 2019, Mr. Lawson was suspended by this Court, pursuant to Tenn. Sup.
Ct. R. 9, § 12.2 (Case No. M2019-00921-SC-BPR-BP), and said suspension remains in
effect.
From all of which the Court approves the Order of the Hearing Panel and adopts the
Hearing Panelâs Order as the Courtâs Order.
IT IS, THEREFORE, CONSIDERED, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED
BY THE COURT THAT:
(1) William Branch Lawson is permanently disbarred from the practice of law
pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 12.1.
(2) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 12.7, Mr. Lawson shall make restitution to
the following individuals listed below:
(a) Lewis and Rebecca Welch $1,350.00
(b) Linda Lance $1,500.00
(c) Denise Arnett $65,000.00
To the extent restitution is paid by the Tennessee Lawyerâs Fund for Client
Protection (âTLFCPâ), Mr. Lawson shall reimburse TLFCP for said amount and shall
remain obligated to the individuals listed above for any unpaid restitution.
(3) The temporary suspension entered in this matter by the Court on May 24,
2019, (M2019-00921-SC-BAR-BP) pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 12.2 is hereby
dissolved.
(4) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.1, this Order shall be effective upon
entry.
(5) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 31.3(d), Mr. Lawson shall pay to the Board
of Professional Responsibility the expenses and costs of this matter in the amount of
$1,575.04 and shall pay to the Clerk of this Court the costs incurred herein, within ninety
(90) days of the entry of this Order, for all of which execution may issue if necessary.
(6) Mr. Lawson shall comply in all aspects with Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28
regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.
(7) The Board of Professional Responsibility shall cause notice of this discipline
to be published as required by Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.11.
PER CURIAM
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