TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jan 7, 2026

Sumner County lawyer Lee Wilson McDougal received a censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on Jan. 7. McDougal was appointed counsel to a parent in a dependency and neglect juvenile proceeding involving allegations of severe abuse. Following the adjudicatory hearing, McDougal complied with the client’s request to file a de novo appeal but failed to inform his client of the court’s adjudication and final disposition. The court also found that he failed for 10 months to consult with his client about the appeal, failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the appeal status, and failed to comply with the client’s requests for documents. After the client requested that he withdraw from representation, McDougal delayed withdrawal for at least four months according to the court. These actions were determined to pose substantial potential harm to the client and to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15, 1.16 and 8.4(d).