BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2017)
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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: JOHN WILBUR CASTLEMAN, JR., BPR #23551
CONTACT: WILLIAM C. MOODY
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
June 30, 2017
WAYNE COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On June 30, 2017, John Wilbur Castleman, Jr., of Waynesboro, Tennessee, was suspended for one (1)
year and one (1) day, effective immediately. In addition, Mr. Castleman must make restitution to one client in
the amount of $500; obtain an evaluation from the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) within
thirty (30) days and, if TLAP determines a monitoring agreement is appropriate, comply with its terms; and pay
the Boardâs costs and expenses and the court costs within ninety days of the entry of the Order of Enforcement.
Mr. Castleman was administratively suspended on July 16, 2015, for noncompliance with the mandatory
IOLTA reporting requirement and non-payment of the annual registration fee. On July 20, 2015, Mr.
Castleman was paid a $500 refundable retainer by a client. Mr. Castleman did not deposit the retainer to his
trust account. Mr. Castleman did not refund the unearned fee to the client. After learning of his suspension,
Mr. Castleman met with the client in order to prepare for a hearing. Mr. Castleman did not notify his clients of
his suspension. Instead, he wrote a number of his clients a misleading letter in an effort to explain his absence
from the office without advising them of his suspension. Mr. Castleman also failed to respond to a request for
information from the Board.
Mr. Castlemanâs ethical misconduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(a),
Communication; 1.15(c), Safekeeping Property and Funds; 1.16(d), Declining and Terminating Representation;
5.5(a), Unauthorized Practice of Law; 8.1(b), Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4(a), (c) and (g),
Misconduct.
Mr. Castleman must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and
30, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys, and the procedure for reinstatement.
Castleman 2570-6 rel.doc