Former Rep. Jeremy Ryan Durham Suspended Following Felony Conviction

brown wooden tool on white surface

The legal and political career of Jeremy Ryan Durham (BPR Number 027776) has faced a definitive reckoning. Effective November 14, 2025, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order suspending Durham from the practice of law until further notice.

This suspension follows a criminal trial in Davidson County that resulted in convictions for several crimes, including a felony that the Court has categorized as a “serious crime” under Tennessee’s professional conduct rules.

 The Core Violation: Criminal Convictions in Davidson County

The disciplinary proceedings (Case No. 3530-6-rel) were triggered by a 2022 automobile crash in downtown Nashville that led to a jury trial in May 2025. Jeremy Durham was found guilty of the following:

  • Felony Reckless Endangerment: Classified as a “serious crime” per Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 2, this charge stems from a crash where Durham sideswiped another vehicle, causing physical injury to the victim.

  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI): He was convicted on two counts, including DUI and DUI per se. This was reportedly his second DUI offense in less than two years.

  • Resisting Arrest: Charges involved Durham’s conduct when interacting with responding officers at the scene.

  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: A misdemeanor count related to items found in his possession following the incident.

Sentencing Details

In July 2025, a judge sentenced Durham to one year in jail, with all but seven days suspended. He was also placed on one year of probation, fined $350, and saw his driver’s license revoked for one year.

 The Impact on Legal Practice

Under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 22.3, an attorney convicted of a serious crime is subject to immediate suspension.

  • Referral for Final Discipline: While the current suspension is immediate, the matter has been referred to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine the final extent of discipline, which could range from a lengthy suspension to permanent disbarment.

  • Obligations of the Attorney: Durham must comply with Rule 9, Section 28, which requires him to notify all current clients of his suspension and stop representing himself as an active member of the Bar.

 A History of Public Controversy

Durham’s legal suspension is the latest chapter in a highly publicized fall from grace. A former Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives (District 65), he was famously expelled from the legislature in 2016.

His expulsion—the first of its kind in Tennessee since 1980—followed an Attorney General investigation that detailed inappropriate sexual conduct with 22 women. While he maintained a small business legal practice in Franklin, Tennessee, following his political exit, his criminal convictions in 2025 have now halted his career in the courtroom as well.

 Conclusion: Professional Accountability

The suspension of Jeremy Ryan Durham reinforces the principle that an attorney’s conduct outside the courtroom is just as critical as their conduct within it. In Tennessee, a felony conviction is often the “red line” for the Board of Professional Responsibility. As formal proceedings continue, the legal community awaits the Board’s final decision on whether Durham will ever be permitted to practice law in the state again.

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