BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2015)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
10 CADILLAC DRIVE, SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: LAURAL ANN AXSON HEMENWAY, BPR #19524
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 19, 2015
FORMER RUTHERFORD COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On October 15, 2015, Laural Ann Axson Hemenway, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Ms. Hemenway was the Assistant District Attorney in a contentious criminal trial. After the Judge
granted a mistrial on an evidentiary issue, Ms. Hemenway stated in open court that âI feel this is a hostile
environment for a femaleâ; âthis entire court proceeding has been a violation of my Constitutional Rights as a
woman to be treated fairlyâ; âmy rights have not been protected. And itâs a hostile working environment when
you are forced into that situation, and you donât have recourseâ; and âI have spoken with other people who have
observed the Court today who have said . . . that there is a lot of discriminatory things that have been done and
said in the courtroom.â
By these acts, Ms. Hemenway violated Rules of Professional Conduct 3.5(e) (conduct intended to
disrupt a tribunal), 8.2(a) (integrity of judicial officials), and 8.4 (d) (prejudice to the administration of justice).
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Hemenway 37520-4 rel.doc