cheek-2318-2409.pdf (2015)
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
IN RE: ROBERT LAWSON CHEEK,JR.,BPR # 15407
An Attorney Licensed to Practice Law in Tennessee
(Knox County)
No. M2014-00936-SC-BAR-BP FILED
BOPR Nos. 2014-2318-2-AJ(22.3) AUG 12 2015
2014-2409-2-AJ
Clerk of the Courts
Recd By
ORDER OF ENFORCEMENT
This matter is before the Court upon a Petition for Final Discipline filed against
Robert Lawson Cheek, Jr., on July 1, 2014; upon a Petition for Discipline filed against
Robert Lawson Cheek, Jr., on December 19, 2014; upon Order entered January 20, 2015
consolidating Docket Numbers 2014-2318-2-AJ (22.3) and 2014-2409-2-AJ; upon
Motion for Default Judgment and that the Allegations Contained in the Petition for
Discipline Be Deemed Admitted filed on February 5, 2015; upon entry of an Order
Granting Motion for Default on March 2, 2015; upon entry of the Final Decree of the
Hearing Panel on April 8, 2015; upon service of the Final Decree ofthe Hearing Panel on
Mr. Cheek by the Executive Secretary of the Board on April 20, 2015; upon entry of the
Judgment on the Board of Professional Responsibility's Application for Assessment of
Costs on May 21, 2015; upon service of the Judgment on the Board of Professional
Responsibility's Application for Assessment of Costs on Mr. Cheek by the Executive
Secretary of the Board on May 22, 2015; upon consideration and approval by the Board
on June 12, 2015; upon expiration of the appeal period with no appeal taken; and upon
the entire record in this cause.
From all of which the Court approves the Order of the Hearing Panel and adopts
the Hearing Panel's Judgment as the Court's Order.
On August 31, 2012, Mr. Cheek was suspended from the practice of law for non-
compliance with Continuing Legal Education requirements. On May 15, 2014, Mr.
Cheek was disbarred by this Court pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 4.1 (2006)(Docket
No. M2012-02741-SC-BAR-BP). To date, Mr. Cheek has not requested, nor been granted
reinstatement.
IT IS, THEREFORE, CONSIDERED, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND
DECREED BY THE COURT THAT:
(1) Robert Lawson Cheek, Jr., is 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. Cheek shall be required to
make restitution to the following individuals. Payment of restitution is a condition
precedent to reinstatement. In the event restitution is made by the Tennessee Lawyers'
Fund for Client Protection ("TLFCP"), Mr. Cheek will be responsible for reimbursement
to the TLFCP ofthe same amount:
(a) Donna Loveday in the amount of$17,370.13;
(b) Kristina Thiagarajan in the amount of$91,856.18; and,
(c) Vincent Appleton in the amount of$60,000.00.
(3) As a further condition of reinstatement, Mr. Cheek must comply with all
conditions imposed on him by the United States District Court of the Eastern District of
Tennessee in Docket No. 3:13-CR-00158-01, and must confer with the Tennessee
Lawyer Assistance Program ("TLAP") for a consultation and shall comply with any
recommendations of TLAP.
(4) Mr. Cheek shall comply in all aspects with Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, §§ 28 and
30 (2014) regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys and the
procedure for reinstatement. Prior to seeking reinstatement, Mr. Cheek must meet all
CLE requirements and pay any outstanding registration fees, including those due from
the date ofsuspension until the date of reinstatement.
(5) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.5, this Order shall be effective
immediately.
(6) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R.9, § 31.3, Mr. Cheek shall pay to the Board of
Professional Responsibility the expenses and costs of this matter in the amount of
$923.86 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.
(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