Hardin County lawyer censured for violating Rules of Professional Conduct
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE:
HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. — On October 20, 2025, Nicholas Lee Surratt, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Surratt represented a criminal defendant in appealing a conviction. Mr. Surratt failed to file the trial court transcript within the time prescribed by applicable rules of court. Mr. Surratt failed to respond to notices from the Court of Criminal Appeals regarding the failure to file the transcript, which resulted in a show cause proceeding where Mr. Surratt was found in willful contempt.
Mr. Surratt also failed to comply with subsequent orders entered by the Court of Criminal Appeals establishing deadlines for the filing of his client’s principal brief. By these acts, Mr. Surratt has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.4(c) (knowing violation of an obligation under the rules of a tribunal), 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice), and 8.4(g) (violation of a court order) and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.
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