Hamilton County attorney permanently disbarred by state supreme court

MGN

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Tennessee State Supreme court has permanently disbarred a local attorney from practicing law in the state.

Alan Christopher Norton agreed to give up his law license after admitting he couldn’t defend himself against allegations in a disciplinary investigation.

According to officials, he forged a chancellor’s signature on multiple court orders, faked another attorney’s name on a motion, and created a false deposition transcript for a client.

These actions violated multiple rules of Professional Conduct, including those related to communication, criminal conduct, and dishonesty.

Norton was representing former Chattanooga police chief Celeste Murphy, until he was temporarily suspended in December 2024.

This was due to the court determining he posed a threat to the public.

That temporary suspension was officially replaced with the permanent disbarment.

Norton isn’t eligible to return to law practice in Tennessee and must follow all rules required of disbarred attorneys under state law.