CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A Montgomery County lawyer has been deemed a “threat of substantial harm to the public” by the Supreme Court of Tennessee and suspended from practicing law for his use of misappropriated funds.
Joel David Ragland, a Clarksville attorney, was deemed a “threat of substantial harm to the public” and suspended from law practice after the Supreme Court found that he misappropriated funds for personal use, according to Katherine Jennings, executive secretary for the Board of Professional Responsibility.
On April 12, 2024, the Supreme Court suspended Ragland and said he must comply with the requirements the legislative body has set for him, which includes the following:
- Cannot take on any new cases.
- Cannot be where legal work is done.
- Must stop representing current clients by May 12, 2024, and inform other lawyers involved and opposing lawyers about the suspension.
According to Jennings, Ragland’s suspension remains in effect until the Supreme Court of Tennessee dissolves or modifies it, which he may request by petitioning the Court.
Until then, he is expected to follow the requirements set forth by the Supreme Court regarding the obligations and responsibilities of temporarily suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.
Clarksville Now has reached out to Ragland for comment.
Jordan Renfro contributed to this report.