bell-32472-2-public-censure.pdf (2009)

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MLIIED
somect ERGIIEIISIUNAL RESPONSIBILITY
II ccurIT/IILIENNESSEE
scatters
1N DISCIPLJNARY DISTRICT JI
OF THE Executwe Secretary ‘
BOARD or PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
. _ OF THE
' SUPREME COURT OF remisssaa

IN RE. JAMES A. H. BELL, BPR NO. 775 FILE NO. ~32472~2~KB
.Respondent, an attorney licensed
to practice law'In Tennessee
(Knox County)

PUBLIC came-Rn

The above complaint was filed against James A. H. Bell, an attorney licensed to practice law

in Tennessee, alleging certain acts of misconduct. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, the Board of

Professional Responsibility considered this matter at its meeting on December 11, 2009.

. On August 13, 2009, U. S. Magisttate Judge Clifford Shirley, Jr., U. 3. District Court,

EasteInDistrict of Tennessee, found Respondent in criminal contempt beyond a reasonable doubt for

misrepresentations made with the intent to obstruct the business ofthe Couit and. the administration
.._I._

of justice. U. S. Magistrate Judge Shirley’ s opmion was timely forwarded to the Be ard by the
-|.

Respondent, and this Ifact Was regarded by the Board as a self-rep01t Thatcourt heid that
__

Respondent had intentionally, willfully and knowingly made misrepresentations about a meeting

with a person who later was a co-defendant in a criminal case in which Respondent represented

. another cc—defendant. That court specifically found that the misrepresentations were not honest

mistakes based on a flawed memory or mistaken belief. That court fined Resp endent the niaxiintrm

cf$5,000. The court stated that “[T]his occurrence appears to be acne—time blemish onIan oflIeIWise

lengthy and commendable record of legal representation.”
‘By the eforem'efiaoned Opinion of the court, James A. H. Bell has violated Rules of

Professional Conduct 3,3(a)(1) and 8.4(69 and is hereby Publicly Censured for those Violations: .

On 1111;} 14, 2009, the Board had previously dismissed the Respondent’s earlier self—report of

the matter addressed by U.IS. Magistrate Judge Shirley.

//
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