The Supreme Court of Tennessee has disbarred Carter County lawyer Gregory Scott Norris from the practice of law effective March 13.

The court has also ordered him to pay restitution to six former clients, totaling $6,000. Norris must also pay the Board’s costs and expenses and the court costs in the disciplinary proceeding within 90 days of the entry of the Order of Enforcement.

After a trial on the merits, a Hearing Panel found that Norris failed to appear in court on numerous occasions, stopped corresponding with opposing attorneys, made incoherent arguments in court, took fees from clients for which he did little to no work, failed to advise clients of his temporary suspension, failed to communicate, failed to return files, and abandoned numerous client matters.

Norris’ ethical misconduct violated the Rules of Professional Conduct of competence, diligence, communication, fees, termination of representation, expediting litigation, disciplinary matters, misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and violating the obligations of a court order.

Norris must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30.4, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys and may not return to the active practice of law until an order of reinstatement has been entered by the Supreme Court.