Roane County lawyer disbarred
June 10, 2024

ROANE COUNTY, TN - Effective May 10, 2024, the Supreme Court of Tennessee permanently disbarred Christopher Shawn Roberts from the practice of law and ordered him to close his law firm IOLTA account, pay restitution to his former client, and pay all costs incurred to the Board of Professional Responsibility.

Following a final hearing upon the disciplinary petition, the Hearing Panel found, by a preponderance of evidence, that Mr. Roberts committed disciplinary misconduct and should be permanently disbarred. Mr. Roberts, in two matters, charged an unreasonable fee, failed to diligently represent a client, failed to provide competent representation, failed to turn over client materials upon termination of representation, failed to reasonably communicate with his client, knowingly violated court orders, concealing documents meant for others, advised his client to lie to a court officer, provided false information to the court, and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, misrepresentations.

The Hearing Panel found Mr. Roberts has knowingly violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1 (competence), 1.2(a) and (d) (scope of representation), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.16 (Declining or terminating representation), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.3(a) (candor toward the tribunal), 3.4(c) (fairness to opposing party and counsel), 4.1(a) (truthfulness in statements to others), and 8.4(a)(c)(d) (misconduct).