On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended attorney Gerald D. Waggoner, Jr. from the practice of law for a period of two years.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Gerald D. Waggoner Jr.”

The charges cited Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.15, 1.16,5.5(a), 8.4(a).

The disciplinary measures were imposed following the investigation of two separate complaints against Mr. Waggoner. The first complaint revealed that during a period of license suspension, he continued to market and manage his law practice, maintained direct and indirect communication with former clients, office staff, and other attorneys, and was involved in recruiting and hiring new attorneys.

In the second complaint, it was discovered that Mr. Waggoner mishandled settlement funds in a minor’s case. He failed to transmit the net proceeds to the court clerk as per the court’s order, which required the funds to be held until the child reached the age of majority. Additionally, he neglected to obtain court approval for the minor’s settlement, resulting in the dismissal of the case for failure to prosecute. Furthermore, he failed to re-file the case after its dismissal.

The Supreme Court determined that Mr. Waggoner’s actions constituted violations of multiple Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Disposition states:

“Effective July 11, 2023, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended Gerald D. Waggoner, Jr., from the practice of law for two (2) years, with eighteen (18) months on active suspension pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, Section 12.2, and the remainder served on probation, conditioned on the engagement of a practice monitor, payment of restitution, payment of Board costs, and twelve (12) additional hours of CLE in ethics or handling client property. The disciplinary matter resulted from two (2) separate complaints.”

Mr. Waggoner practices in Memphis, Tennessee. He is licensed in Tennessee. His info can be found on avvo.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.