Lawrence (Larry) A. Welch, a former Greeneville attorney, has been disbarred for a second time by a mandate of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Disbarment prevents Welch from practicing law in this state.

The court's Board of Professional Responsbility this week announced that Welch, a former member of the Greene County Commission, again was being disciplined for:

* "misuse of his deceased father's and mother's credit cards for Welch's own personal benefit;

* "preparing and recording a warrranty deed and affidavit reflecting Welch as co-owner of his mother's condominum without the knowledge or consent of his mother, eventually requiring his mother's filing suit against Welch;

* "encouraging plaintiffs to file a sexual harassment lawsuit based upon fabricated charges;

* "neglecting a client's case;

* "failing to communicate with a client and opposing counsel; and

* "misleading clients to believe that Welch had filed their lawsuit when he had not."

Welch was previously disbarred by the Tennessee Supreme Court in regard to other charges against him.

An attorney with the Board of Professional Responsbility who was asked how unusual it was for an attorney to be disbarred twice by the state's highest court, said that was Welch's "special accomplishment."

The Tennessee Supreme Court in November 2006, first disbarred Welch.

At that time, the state's Supreme Court had ordered Welch to make $25,000 in restitution of the property of an unnamed client, or estate.

In addition, according to the release, an order issued by the state Supreme Court had directed the Board of Professional Reponsibility to "notify the district attorney of Welch's apparent conversion [unlawful appropriation or use of another's property]."

Documents provided by the board say that Welch obtained a $25,000 insurance settlement for a client, who later died in April 1998.

The case involved an injury from a fall. Welch, the documents said, then agreed to serve as attorney for the client's estate. The documents said he advised the BPR that when he received the $25,000 settlement, he placed the money in a trust account.

However, the client's daughter filed a complaint with the board dated Aug. 26, 2004, that alleged "Mr. Welch would never do anything. He has my mother's money in his escrow account."

Previous History

Welch in August 2006 was suspended from the practice of law in Tennessee for a second three-year period, a total of six years. Welch earlier had been suspended from the practice of law in December 2005.

The Board of Professional Responsiblity noted in 2006 that a "petition for discipline" had been filed against Welch alleging that he prepared and mailed a memorandum implicating a sitting judge and members of a law firm in a criminal conspiracy.

Welch could not be reached for comment. It is not known where he currently resides. He is not listed in the Greeneville telephone book.