BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2011)
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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: WILLIAM CALDWELL HANCOCK, BPR # 005312
CONTACT: KEVIN BALKWILL
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 6, 2011
DAVIDSON COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On January 6, 2011, William Caldwell Hancock, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme
Court.
In April, 2007, Mr. Hancock was retained to represent a client in a real estate dispute involving
claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. Mr. Hancock agreed to file a civil action to address his
clientâs claims. After some delay, Mr. Hancock filed the lawsuit and proceeded with service of process
upon the defendants. Thereafter, Mr. Hancock failed to communicate effectively with his client and failed
to move the case forward at a pace suitable to his client. On August 5, 2008, the court advised Mr.
Hancock by letter that if the case was not set for trial or resolved by a date certain, it would be dismissed
for lack of prosecution. On January 28, 2009, the court dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of
prosecution. Mr. Hancock failed to notify his client of the case dismissal. The client subsequently
terminated Mr. Hancockâs representation. It was only after the termination that the client discovered that
the civil action had been dismissed by the court.
By the acts as stated above, William Caldwell Hancock violated Rules of Professional Conduct
1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), and 1.16 (terminating representation), and is hereby
Publicly Censured for these violations.
Hancock 32469-5 rel.doc
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