The fundamental duty of an attorney is to safeguard the trust and assets of their clients. When that trust is violated through the misuse of funds, the Tennessee Supreme Court acts decisively to protect the public. For Shelby County lawyer Sheila L. Robinson-Beasley (BPR No. 013937), a history of misappropriation has resulted in a significant multi-year suspension.
Effective January 30, 2026, the Supreme Court of Tennessee issued a final Order of Enforcement, suspending Robinson-Beasley from the practice of law for six years.
The Core Misconduct: Misappropriation of Funds
The path to this long-term suspension began with an emergency intervention by the state’s highest court. The disciplinary findings (BPR No. 2024-3421-9-HP) highlighted severe ethical breaches:
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Personal Use of Client Assets: The Court found that Robinson-Beasley misappropriated funds and property for her personal use. Such conduct is considered a “threat of substantial harm to the public.”
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Initial Resistance: When the Board of Professional Responsibility first moved to temporarily suspend her in April 2024, the Court cited a critical need to prevent further financial damage to her clients.
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Rejected Pleas: In mid-2025, the Supreme Court actually rejected an earlier, more lenient disciplinary proposal, stating that the suggested period of active suspension was “too lenient” given the gravity of her actions.
Timeline of Disciplinary Actions
Sheila Robinson-Beasley has been licensed in Tennessee since 1989 and is an alumna of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Her disciplinary timeline reflects a contentious legal battle:
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April 4, 2024: Issued an Order of Temporary Suspension after the initial discovery of misappropriated funds.
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August 7, 2024: The Court denied her petition for reinstatement, keeping the temporary suspension in place.
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May 15, 2025: The Tennessee Supreme Court ordered the Board to reconsider its recommendation for a lighter sentence, signaling a demand for harsher penalties.
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January 30, 2026: The final order was signed, imposing the six-year suspension.
Terms of the Six-Year Suspension
The Court’s 2026 order is structured to ensure long-term oversight and public safety:
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Active vs. Probated Time: Robinson-Beasley must serve five years as an active suspension. The final year may be served on probation, but only after a successful petition for reinstatement at the end of the five-year term.
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Practice Monitor: Upon any future return to the law, she must engage a Practice Monitor for one year at her own expense. This monitor will provide monthly reports to the Board regarding her accounting procedures and case management.
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Restitution and Costs: Reinstatement is strictly conditioned upon her paying all court costs and administrative fees associated with the investigation.
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No New Misconduct: Any further complaints of misconduct during the suspension or probation period can result in the immediate revocation of her probation and the imposition of further active suspension time.
Conclusion: A High Standard for Shelby County
The suspension of Sheila L. Robinson-Beasley serves as a stark reminder of the “Wilson Rule” philosophy often seen in attorney ethics: the knowing misappropriation of funds is a professional “capital offense.” For the residents of Memphis and the broader Shelby County community, this ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court reinforces that financial integrity is the non-negotiable price of a law license.
