Maintaining professional accountability and responding to regulatory inquiries are essential duties for every licensed attorney. When these obligations are neglected, the judicial system must intervene to protect the public. For Rutherford County attorney Dalen L. P. Farmer (BPR Number 012629), a failure to communicate with the Board of Professional Responsibility has led to an immediate halt of his legal practice.
Effective January 22, 2026, the Tennessee Supreme Court ordered a temporary suspension of Farmer’s law license.
The Core Misconduct: Failure to Respond
The disciplinary action taken against Farmer is a direct result of his non-compliance with the investigative process. According to the Tennessee Bar Association, the court’s decision was based on the following:
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Lack of Communication: Farmer reportedly failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility concerning a formal complaint of misconduct.
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Non-Cooperation: Under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 12.3, a lawyer may be temporarily suspended if they fail to provide a response to a petition or request for information from the Board.
Immediate Constraints on Practice
The suspension is not merely administrative; it carries strict prohibitions to prevent further potential harm to clients:
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Preclusion from New Cases: Farmer is immediately barred from accepting any new legal matters.
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Deadline for Current Clients: He must cease all representation of existing clients by February 21, 2026.
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Indefinite Term: The suspension remains in effect until Farmer provides the required response and the court issues a formal order of dissolution or modification.
Professional Background and History
Dalen L. P. Farmer has been a member of the Tennessee Bar for over three decades. Based in the Murfreesboro area, his practice primarily focused on:
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Estate Planning: Assisting clients with wills, trusts, and probate matters.
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Business Transactions: Handling corporate governance and legal counsel for small businesses.
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Education: He is an alumnus of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
This is not the first time Farmer’s license has faced scrutiny. Records indicate a prior administrative suspension in 2011 for issues related to Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements, though he was successfully reinstated later that year after achieving compliance.
The Path to Reinstatement
For a temporary suspension to be lifted, the attorney must typically follow a specific procedural path:
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Response: The attorney must submit a full and detailed response to the underlying complaint that triggered the action.
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Petition for Dissolution: Once the Board receives the necessary information, a petition can be filed with the Supreme Court to dissolve the suspension.
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Public Notice: The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility maintains a public database of these actions to ensure transparency for current and future legal consumers.
Conclusion: A Commitment to Public Trust
The temporary suspension of Dalen L. P. Farmer serves as a vital check in the Tennessee legal system. While a temporary suspension does not always imply a final finding of guilt regarding the underlying complaint, it underscores that ignoring the oversight of the Bar is an unacceptable practice. For residents of Rutherford County, this action reinforces the principle that those sworn to uphold the law must also remain accountable to it.
