A Hamilton County attorney who was suspended from practicing law for three months after failing to respond to a misconduct complaint in a timely manner has been reinstated.
Arthur C. Grisham Jr. was suspended April 29, and he was reinstated Thursday, the board of professional responsibility announced in a statement.
“It was an unfortunate series of events,” Grisham said by phone. “It took longer than I anticipated. The response I submitted ultimately met the requirements.”
Even though his intention may have been to do so, the proof shows that Grisham did not respond to the misconduct complaint until May 20, which was after the deadline, according to a report and recommendations of the hearing panel.
A petition for discipline was filed against Grisham last year but is sealed from the public; the statement does not include details about the alleged misconduct.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County court defendants owe over $234M in unpaid fines)
Grisham’s knowledge of computer programs was allegedly lacking, and he was suffering from some medical ailments around the time of his May 20 response to the misconduct complaint.
Attorneys are interested in correctly practicing law, but there can be mishaps and miscommunications, Grisham said.
“It’s one of the things that happens time to time,” he said. “I’m sorry it had to be me.”
He had a technical glitch at the time, and his memory was a bit fuzzy while suffering from a bad case of bronchitis for two months, he said.
Grisham was candid and admitted a misrepresentation in his pleading, so he was recommended for reinstatement, the hearing panel report states.
He’s free to practice law again, and he looks forward to doing so, Grisham said.
Grisham has been licensed since 1972 in Tennessee, and his office is in Chattanooga. He attended the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Contact Sofia Saric at ssaric@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.