Hamilton County lawyer suspended after complaint

Hamilton County lawyer Lisa Zarzour Bowman was suspended today by the Supreme Court of Tennessee from the practice of law for one year, with 30 days being an active suspension and the remainder to be served on probation, according to a news release.

A petition for discipline containing one complaint was filed against Ms. Bowman on Aug. 24, 2016, alleging lack of diligence, lack of communication and incompetent representation. After a trial, the hearing panel found Ms. Bowman (a) failed to timely prepare and file documents with the trial court for a period of nearly 15 months, failed to reasonably communicate with her client about changes made in a Final Decree of Divorce previously approved by the client and filed a Final Decree of Divorce not approved by the client that omitted a material term negotiated by the client with her husband.

Ms. Bowman's unethical conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence); 1.4 (communication); 3.2 (expediting litigation); and 8.4 (misconduct), according to the news release.

Her probationary period must be served with a practice monitor pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 12.2 and 12.9. Ms. Bowman also must pay the Board of Professional Responsibility's costs in the disciplinary proceeding.

She must comply with Tennessee Supreme Court rules on the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and may not return to the active practice of law until an order of reinstatement has been entered by the court, the release states.

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