In the Tennessee legal system, the obligation to respond to inquiries from the Board of Professional Responsibility is a critical requirement for maintaining a law license. For Blountville-based attorney Ricky A.W. Curtis (BPR No. 019761), the failure to engage with a misconduct investigation has resulted in a swift and significant professional sanction.
Effective January 22, 2026, the Supreme Court of Tennessee ordered the temporary suspension of Ricky A.W. Curtis from the practice of law.
The Core Misconduct: Failure to Respond
The court’s decision to suspend Curtis was not based on a final determination of a specific case’s merits, but rather on his lack of cooperation with the disciplinary process. According to the Tennessee Bar Association, the ruling was triggered by:
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Non-Response to Complaint: Curtis failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility concerning one formal complaint of misconduct.
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Supreme Court Rule 9: Under Section 12.3 of this rule, the Court can temporarily suspend any attorney who fails to provide a timely response to a petition or request for information regarding disciplinary matters.
Immediate Professional Constraints
A temporary suspension carries immediate and severe consequences for an attorney’s practice:
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Preclusion of New Cases: Curtis is immediately prohibited from accepting any new legal clients or matters.
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Notification Period: He must cease all representation of current clients by February 21, 2026.
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Duration: The suspension remains in effect until it is dissolved or modified by the Tennessee Supreme Court, usually contingent upon the attorney providing the requested information.
Professional History and Previous Discipline
Ricky A.W. Curtis has been a well-known figure in the Sullivan County legal community for many years, specializing as a Criminal Defense Specialist. His professional background includes:
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Experience: Former Assistant District Attorney for Sullivan County and Past President of the Bristol, TN Bar Association.
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Honors: Recognized by the American Society of Legal Advocates as a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney in TN.”
However, his recent disciplinary record shows a pattern of administrative and procedural struggles. Prior to this suspension, Curtis received two Public Censures:
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October 2017: Censured for failing to file a brief in a criminal appeal, which led to a finding of contempt of court.
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July 2023: Censured for a “lack of diligence” in a criminal sentencing appeal. The Board of Professional Responsibility found he violated rules regarding fairness to opposing parties and the administration of justice.
Path to Reinstatement
For a Tennessee attorney to lift a temporary suspension of this nature, the process is strictly defined:
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Compliance: The attorney must provide a full and comprehensive response to the original disciplinary inquiry.
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Petition to Dissolve: Once the Board of Professional Responsibility receives the response, the attorney can petition the Supreme Court to dissolve the suspension.
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Client Notification: The attorney must file an affidavit of compliance showing that all clients were properly notified of the suspension during the transition period.
Conclusion: Accountability and the Bar
The temporary suspension of Ricky A.W. Curtis underscores the judiciary’s stance that silence is not an option when professional ethics are questioned. While Curtis has had a distinguished career in the Sullivan County courts, his current standing depends entirely on his willingness to engage with the regulatory process. For the public, these actions by the Tennessee Supreme Court serve as a vital safeguard for the integrity of the legal profession.
