A Hamilton County attorney was temporarily suspended from practicing after a decision from the Tennessee Supreme Court on Monday.
Alan Norton, 45, cannot accept new cases and must stop representing his existing clients – which include Chattanooga’s former police chief – by Jan. 16, according to a news release from the court’s Board of Professional Responsibility.
Norton was indicted on a felony charge of forgery in Rhea County earlier this month, based on allegations he forged a judge’s signature on court documents.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County attorney, representing former police chief, indicted on forgery charge)
He has been representing Celeste Murphy, Chattanooga’s former police chief, on criminal charges of perjury and falsely filling out official documents related to her residency.
Murphy pleaded not guilty to the charges in July.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reportedly found Norton had forged the signature of 12th District Chancellor Melissa Willis on chancery court orders filed between June and September of this year, according to an indictment.
The district covers Rhea, Marion, Bledsoe, Grundy, Sequatchie and Franklin counties.
Norton will remain suspended until the court dissolves or modifies the punishment, which he can request.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.