Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
CrimeDec 07, 2018
Brian Manookian Loses Bid to Reinstate Law License
Manookian is the Tennessee attorney who was at the center of the diamond overgrading cases that roiled the industry a few years ago.
Nashville, Tennessee—The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that Brian Phillip Manookian, the lawyer at the center of the diamond overgrading cases that roiled the industry, will remain banned from practicing law in the state for the foreseeable future.
The court suspended the Nashville attorney’s license on Sept. 21 after the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR), which governs attorneys’ conduct, found that he “poses a threat of substantial harm to the public.”
According to the BPR’s William C. Moody, the main impetus for the suspension were emails sent to opposing counsel deemed to be threatening. BPR’s report and recommendation on Manookian contains text from two different emails as well as a list of past and current disciplinary actions against him.
In the first email, delivered to opposing counsel C.J. Gideon in August 2017, Manookian wrote:
“Clarence,
I hear [Mr. Gideon’s daughter] is working at [name of company]. What a fantastic opportunity; particularly given her history of academic failure and alcohol and substance abuse.
I happen to have some very close friends at [name of company].
I will make it a point to see what I can do regarding her prospects there.
I am reminded that it is good for us to keep apprised of each other’s lives and the things we can do to influence them.”
The second went to opposing counsel in a separate case about a year later, Phillip North.
In it, Manookian noted that he knew North’s home address, the names of his romantic partner and two daughters, and the make, model, VIN and license plate number of his partner’s vehicle.
About a week after his law license was suspended, Manookian petitioned the board to reconsider, and a three-person BPR panel held two hearings on his case, on Oct. 11 and 19.
According to court papers, in the hearings Manookian contended that in the first email, he was trying to be supportive of Gideon’s daughter in her new job and in the second, he was simply trying to get North to respond to a previous email.
Though he did acknowledge under cross-examination that both emails contained content that was “inappropriate,” he asserted that neither could reasonably be considered threatening.
He maintained that he had done no wrong and asked for his suspension to be dissolved.
On Nov. 7, the BPR panel shot down Manookian’s petition, stating that it did not believe
the emails weren’t meant to be threatening. It also noted Manookian has been called out for unacceptable behavior multiple times in the past, but it hasn’t deterred him from behaving badly.
Its ruling states in part: “It is Mr. Manookian’s position that speech alone, even rude and insulting speech, cannot present a substantial threat of harm to the public. This position is wrong, particularly with regard to an attorney’s speech. [His] words … go beyond merely rude and insulting and cross the line into threatening and intimidating.
“The practice of law, by its nature, involves conflict and contention. That is why the Rules of Professional Conduct for practitioners of the law require that an attorney’s conduct be circumscribed within the boundaries of civility, decorum, and respect for both the process and the person. Keeping within the boundaries of professional conduct is critical for the proper functioning of the judicial system.”
On Nov. 21, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the panel’s ruling.
Manookian was ordered to stop representing all existing clients within 10 days of the court’s decision, inform all clients, co-counsel and opposing counsel in pending matters of his suspension and give clients any property or papers to which they are entitled.
Manookian first made headlines in the jewelry industry in 2014 when he sued Nashville jeweler Genesis Diamonds on behalf of multiple consumers who were sold diamonds overgraded by EGL International.
Later that year, he told National Jeweler that a “major national [law] firm” would be filing a class-action lawsuit within 60 days against EGL International as well as “major retailers” in the U.S. for selling overgraded diamonds.
The class action suits never materialized, but Manookian, along with other attorneys, launched public campaigns to find plaintiffs to file suits against five independent jewelers.
The campaigns involved physical fliers and online ads calling the retailers in question “a scam” and asking consumers if they were sold a “fraudulent ring.”
Though many in the industry acknowledged the need to confront the issue of diamond overgrading, Manookian’s plaintiff-attracting tactics were met with disdain and one retailer, the now-closed Diamond Doctor in Dallas, fired back.
It sued Manookian, his Nashville law partner Brian Cummings and their firm, Cummings Manookian, in a Texas federal court for violations of the RICO Act, business disparagement and injury to business reputation.
The lawsuit alleged that the public campaigns—purportedly launched in the interest of finding consumers who had been sold overgraded diamonds and helping them to right that wrong—were nothing more than a “cunning shakedown operation” to extort money from the jewelers.
The case was settled out of court in August 2017.
All calls placed to Manookian’s Nashville office Wednesday and Thursday went straight to voicemail. He did not respond to voicemail messages or email requests for comment.
An email sent to Cummings generated an automated response that indicated he has started his own firm, Cummings Law. He did not respond to inquiries about his former partner.
Its ruling states in part: “It is Mr. Manookian’s position that speech alone, even rude and insulting speech, cannot present a substantial threat of harm to the public. This position is wrong, particularly with regard to an attorney’s speech. [His] words … go beyond merely rude and insulting and cross the line into threatening and intimidating.
“The practice of law, by its nature, involves conflict and contention. That is why the Rules of Professional Conduct for practitioners of the law require that an attorney’s conduct be circumscribed within the boundaries of civility, decorum, and respect for both the process and the person. Keeping within the boundaries of professional conduct is critical for the proper functioning of the judicial system.”
On Nov. 21, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the panel’s ruling.
Manookian was ordered to stop representing all existing clients within 10 days of the court’s decision, inform all clients, co-counsel and opposing counsel in pending matters of his suspension and give clients any property or papers to which they are entitled.
Manookian first made headlines in the jewelry industry in 2014 when he sued Nashville jeweler Genesis Diamonds on behalf of multiple consumers who were sold diamonds overgraded by EGL International.
Later that year, he told National Jeweler that a “major national [law] firm” would be filing a class-action lawsuit within 60 days against EGL International as well as “major retailers” in the U.S. for selling overgraded diamonds.
The class action suits never materialized, but Manookian, along with other attorneys, launched public campaigns to find plaintiffs to file suits against five independent jewelers.
The campaigns involved physical fliers and online ads calling the retailers in question “a scam” and asking consumers if they were sold a “fraudulent ring.”
Though many in the industry acknowledged the need to confront the issue of diamond overgrading, Manookian’s plaintiff-attracting tactics were met with disdain and one retailer, the now-closed Diamond Doctor in Dallas, fired back.
It sued Manookian, his Nashville law partner Brian Cummings and their firm, Cummings Manookian, in a Texas federal court for violations of the RICO Act, business disparagement and injury to business reputation.
The lawsuit alleged that the public campaigns—purportedly launched in the interest of finding consumers who had been sold overgraded diamonds and helping them to right that wrong—were nothing more than a “cunning shakedown operation” to extort money from the jewelers.
The case was settled out of court in August 2017.
All calls placed to Manookian’s Nashville office Wednesday and Thursday went straight to voicemail. He did not respond to voicemail messages or email requests for comment.
An email sent to Cummings generated an automated response that indicated he has started his own firm, Cummings Law. He did not respond to inquiries about his former partner.
More on Crime
The Latest
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
