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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
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JOSEPH H. CRABTREE, JR., BPR #011451
CONTACT: JAMES W. MILAM
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 22, 2022
McMINN COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On November 22, 2022, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an order suspending Joseph H.
Crabtree, Jr., immediately from the practice of law in Tennessee for a period of three (3) years, with one (1)
year served on active suspension and the remaining two (2) years on probation. For the first year of probation,
he must engage a practice monitor at his own expense. As conditions of reinstatement, he must complete six (6)
hours of Continuing Legal Education on ethics and six (6) hours on law office management, in addition to the
normal annual CLE requirements, pay restitution to two (2) former clients, and reimburse the Tennessee
Lawyers Fund for Client Protection for any funds that it may pay to the complainants.
The Supreme Court found that Mr. Crabtree failed to correct erroneous advice he had given to a client
and allowed the statute of limitations to expire on the clientâs claim and failed to advise the same client to seek
independent legal advice before negotiating and completing a settlement of the clientâs legal malpractice claim.
In other cases, he failed to communicate with clients, failed to perform work that he was hired to do, failed to
distribute settlement proceeds after depositing them into his trust account, failed to respond to court orders
resulting in his clients becoming liable for attorneyâs fees, and failed over an extended period of time to
communicate with clients or keep them informed about their cases. In addition, he failed to file a personal
injury suit before the statute of limitations expired, failed to respond to disciplinary counselâs request for
information, and failed to repay attorneyâs fees received for work never performed.
The Supreme Court found Mr. Crabtreeâs conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1
(competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.8 (h) (conflict of interest), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.4
(c) (fairness to opposing party and counsel), 8.1 (b) (disciplinary matters), and 8.4 (a), (c), and (d) (misconduct).
Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 28.1, the suspension is effective upon entry of the
order by the Court. Mr. Crabtree must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9,
Sections 28 and 30.4, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure
for reinstatement.
Crabtree 2970-3 rel.doc