Tennessee Attorney Terry Risner Reciprocally Suspended from Practicing Law in Ohio Due to Non-Compliance with Monitoring Agreement

On Thursday, July 18, 2024, the Supreme Court of Ohio ordered the interim remedial suspension of attorney Terry Risner based on disciplinary action taken against him by the Supreme Court of Tennessee.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Terry Risner,” with case no. 2024-0731.

The Ohio suspension comes after Risner was temporarily suspended from practicing law in Tennessee on March 22, 2024. According to an article, the Tennessee suspension was put into effect because Risner failed to comply with the terms of a mandatory monitoring agreement he signed with the Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program in December 2023. The monitoring agreement was put in place to oversee his participation in the assistance program, but Risner did not adequately fulfill the obligations under the agreement.

As a result of the disciplinary action in Tennessee, the Supreme Court of Ohio imposed a reciprocal suspension against Risner under its rules of reciprocal discipline. The Ohio order suspended Risner from practicing law in the state and required him to immediately cease representing any clients in the state. He is also prohibited from maintaining a legal office or engaging in any legal activities usually reserved for licensed attorneys.

Risner must follow suspension protocols in Ohio, such as notifying current clients of the suspension and returning client documents. He will not be allowed to practice law in Ohio until he is reinstated to practice law in the state of Tennessee.

The Disposition states:

“On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court that, pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(20)(C), an interim remedial suspension is entered against respondent, Terry Risner, Attorney Registration No. 0031499, last known business address in Mt. Carmel, Tennessee, and respondent will not be reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until such time as the respondent is reinstated to the practice of law in the State of Tennessee.”

According to avvo.com, Mr. Risner is an appeals attorney in Mount Carmel, Tennessee. He attended the Northern Kentucky University – Salmon P. Chase College of Law. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 1985.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.