BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2014)
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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: STEPHEN E. SAMS, BPR #22560
CONTACT: WILLIAM C. MOODY
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 1, 2014
KNOX COUNTY LAWYER DISBARRED
On November 26, 2014, Stephen E. Sams of Knoxville, Tennessee, was disbarred by Order of the
Tennessee Supreme Court. The disbarment is effective beginning December 6, 2014.
On September 2, 2012, the Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against
Mr. Sams. Mr. Sams submitted inflated, false and deceptive fee claims to the Administrative Office of the
Courts. From January, 2009 until December 31, 2010, there are approximately 478 days on which Mr. Sams
billed more than eight hours to the AOC. For the majority of those days, Mr. Sams billed ten to eleven hours
per day. Mr. Sams was unable to produce any documents to verify any billing entry. Mr. Sams billed nearly
twelve hours on a day when he attended an eight hour, out of state CLE. Mr. Sams billed the AOC when other
lawyers covered for him in court, a practice prohibited by Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 13. On January 16, 2014, the
Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Supplemental Petition for Discipline against Mr. Sams alleging
that he knowingly understated his income in his personal bankruptcy. A Hearing Panel determined that
disbarment was the appropriate sanction. Mr. Sams did not respond to the supplemental petition and he did not
appear for the final hearing.
Mr. Sams violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5, Fees; 3.3(a)(1), Candor Toward the
Tribunal; 3.4(c), Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel; and 8.4(a), (c) and (d), Misconduct.
Mr. Sams must comply with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18 (2006) and Section 30.4
(2014) regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys and the procedures for reinstatement.
He must pay the Boardâs costs and expenses prior to reinstatement to the practice of law.
Sams 2153-2 rel.doc