On Monday, April 10, 2023, the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma approved the application for the resignation of Tulsa attorney John Everett Parris.

The case is styled ‘State of Oklahoma, ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. John Everett Parris,’ with Case No. SCBD No 7234.

The charges cited Rules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.15, 3.3, and 8.4(a)-(d) of the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

The Oklahoma Bar Association (OB) submitted to the court an application to approve the resignation of John Everett Parris from the Oklahoma State Bar. Parris wished to resign pending disciplinary proceedings relating to six counts of ethical violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

In all six counts, Parris was alleged to have failed to diligently represent clients, failed to appear at court hearings, and failed to perform work for the fees he charged. In addition, Parris was also cited for contempt of court which got him imprisoned in the county jail.

The filing states:

‘The respondent has voluntarily resigned from the Oklahoma Bar Association by complying with Rule 8. and Rule 8.2, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings. . . The respondent’s affidavit of resignation reflects that: a) it was freely and voluntarily rendered; b) he was not subject to coercion or duress; and c) he was fully aware of the consequences of submitting the resignation.’

The filing continues:

‘The respondent states that he is aware of the Complaint filed in this Court on July 13, 2022, and the Amended Complaint filed on November 8, 2022, which contains six grievances against him.’

Accordingly, the Court ruled in favor of Parris and granted his petition for resignation.

The order states:

“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that John Everett Parris’s resignation pending discipline be approved.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that John Everett Parris’s name be stricken from the Oklahoma roll of attorneys. Because resignation pending disciplinary proceedings is tantamount to disbarment, Respondent may not submit an application for reinstatement prior to the expiration of 5 years from the date of this order. . .”

Prior to his resignation, Mr. Parris practiced in Tulsa and has been admitted to practice in Oklahoma in 2001 after graduating from the University of Tulsa College of Law. His info can be found on Lawyers.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.