The legal profession requires an unwavering commitment to honesty and fiduciary responsibility. When those standards are violated by criminal conduct, the consequences are severe and long-lasting. For Davidson County lawyer Mickie Smith Daugherty (BPR No. 022746), a series of felony charges has led to a major six-year suspension from the practice of law in Tennessee.
Effective January 7, 2026, the Supreme Court of Tennessee issued an Order of Enforcement suspending Daugherty for six years, retroactive to her initial temporary suspension on August 20, 2024.
The Core Misconduct: Theft and Forgery
The disciplinary action against Mickie Smith Daugherty stems from a criminal case in Maury County, Tennessee. The investigation uncovered a significant breach of professional ethics (RPC 8.4) involving the misappropriation of funds:
1. Felony Convictions
On September 3, 2024, Daugherty entered a guilty plea in the Circuit Court for Maury County to:
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One count of Theft of Property (Class C Felony)
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One count of Forgery (Class C Felony)
The charges involved the theft of $35,000.00 from the Culleoka Athletic Booster Club. While Daugherty paid full restitution prior to her sentencing, the nature of the crimes—theft and forgery—directly violates the Rules of Professional Conduct regarding “dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.”
2. Judicial Diversion and Probation
As part of her criminal sentencing, Daugherty was granted Judicial Diversion. She was placed on supervised probation for a period of four years and six months. While this allows for the eventual dismissal of charges upon successful completion, the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) maintains that the underlying conduct warrants significant professional discipline.
Professional Background and Licensing
Mickie Smith Daugherty has been a licensed attorney in Tennessee since 2003. A graduate of the Samford University – Cumberland School of Law, she practiced primarily in the Nashville area before her license was first restricted in 2024.
The road to her final suspension included several critical stages:
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August 2024: Initially temporarily suspended for failing to respond to a complaint from the BPR.
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April 2025: A formal Petition for Discipline was filed against her following her felony pleas.
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January 2026: The Tennessee Supreme Court finalized the six-year suspension based on her conditional guilty plea to the ethics charges.
Conditions for Reinstatement
A six-year suspension is a significant “time-out” from the legal profession. To return to practice, Daugherty must comply with a series of strict mandates:
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TLAP Cooperation: She must cooperate with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP), which includes an evaluation and potential monitoring agreement.
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Probation Compliance: She must strictly adhere to all terms of her criminal probation in Maury County.
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Formal Reinstatement Process: Under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 30.4, she must petition the court for reinstatement at the end of her term and prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that she is fit to practice law again.
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Cost Reimbursement: Daugherty was ordered to pay the costs and expenses incurred by the Board of Professional Responsibility, totaling $514.00.
Conclusion: Preserving Public Confidence
The suspension of Mickie Smith Daugherty serves as a vital safeguard for the Tennessee public. By imposing a multi-year suspension for conduct involving forgery and theft, the Supreme Court reinforces the principle that attorneys must be trustworthy fiduciaries. For those seeking to verify the current status of any Tennessee lawyer, the Board of Professional Responsibility’s search tool remains the most reliable resource.
