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Tennessee Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement – 2026

What happens when a complaint is made against a Tennessee lawyer — Supreme Court Rule 9, thirty-seven sections. Section 1 states the premise: the license to practice is a continuing proclamation by the Court that the holder is fit to be entrusted with professional and judicial matters. Sections 3 to 7 establish the disciplinary districts, the Board of Professional Responsibility, the district committees and Disciplinary Counsel; Section 11 sets the grounds for discipline and Section 12 the types available. The procedure runs through Section 15 on initiation, investigation and hearing, Section 19 on subpoena power and pre-trial proceedings, Section 22 on attorneys convicted of crimes, Sections 23 and 24 on disbarment and discipline by consent, Section 25 on reciprocal discipline, Section 30 on reinstatement and Section 33 on appeal. Section 27 covers proceedings where an attorney is declared incompetent or alleged to be incapacitated, Section 29 the appointment of a receiver, Section 32 confidentiality, and Section 36 the Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program.

Browse all 37 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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Section 1 Preamble Section 2 Definitions Section 3 Disciplinary Districts Section 4 The Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee Section 5 Ethics Opinions Section 6 District Committees Section 7 Disciplinary Counsel Section 8 Jurisdiction Section 9 Multijurisdictional Practice Section 10 Periodic Assessment of Attorneys Section 11 Grounds for Discipline Section 12 Types of Discipline Section 13 Diversion of Disciplinary Cases Section 14 Probation Section 15 Initiation, Investigation, and Hearing Section 16 Complaints Against Board Members, District Committee Members, or Disciplinary Counsel Section 17 Immunity Section 18 Service Section 19 Subpoena Power, Witnesses and Pre-trial Proceedings Section 20 Refusal of Complainant to Proceed, Compromise, etc Section 21 Matters Involving Related Pending Civil or Criminal Litigation Section 22 Attorneys Convicted Or Acknowledging Guilt of Crimes Section 23 Disbarment by Consent of Attorneys Under Disciplinary Investigation or Prosecution Section 24 Discipline by Consent Section 25 Reciprocal Discipline Section 26 Attorneys Failing to Comply with Tenn. Code Ann.  §§ 67-4-1701 - 1710 (Privilege Tax Applicable to Persons  Licensed to Practice Law) Section 27 Proceedings Where an Attorney Is Declared to Be Incompetent or Is Alleged to Be Incapacitated Section 28 Notice to Clients, Adverse Parties, and Other Counsel Section 29 Appointment of a Receiver when an Attorney Becomes Unable to Continue the Practice of Law Section 30 Reinstatement Section 31 Expenses, Audit, Reimbursement of Costs Section 32 Confidentiality Section 33 Appeal Section 34 Additional Rules of Procedure Section 35 Detection and Prevention of Trust Account Violations Section 36 Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program Section 37 Suspension of Law License for Default on Student Loan or Service-Conditional Scholarship Program