The professional conduct of attorneys is generally regulated by each state's rules of professional conduct—which are often written by the state's highest court, and enforced through the disciplinary process administered by the state's bar association. The professional conduct of attorneys is also referred to as legal ethics and professional responsibility.

Attorneys can be disciplined for a variety of reasons, ranging from the failure to pay their bar dues to misappropriating client funds. The grounds upon which an attorney may be disciplined by the state bar association are generally located in the state bar association's disciplinary rules of professional conduct.

Some attorneys who have been disciplined are no longer eligible to practice law. You should inquire about an attorney’s disciplinary history on the state bar association’s website, or by calling the state bar association.

You should not hire an attorney whose license is been suspended or revoked and who is not eligible to practice law in your state. Each state has a disciplinary organization that receives, investigates, and resolves ethics complaints against attorneys licensed in the state.

In Tennessee, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct, which are established by the Tennessee Supreme Court. These rules outline the ethical and professional responsibilities of attorneys practicing in the state. The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility is the body responsible for administering the disciplinary process when there are allegations of professional misconduct. Attorneys in Tennessee can face discipline for various infractions, including but not limited to, misappropriation of client funds, conflict of interest, and failure to competently represent their clients. Disciplinary actions can range from private reprimands to disbarment, depending on the severity of the violation. The public can check an attorney's disciplinary history through the Board of Professional Responsibility's website or by contacting them directly. It is important to ensure that any attorney you consider hiring is in good standing and is eligible to practice law in Tennessee, as hiring an attorney with a suspended or revoked license can have serious repercussions for your legal matters.