BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2004)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
LANCE B. BRACY WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL 1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 CHARLES A. HIGH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 SANDY GARRETT
LAURA L. CHASTAIN TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 JESSE D. JOSEPH
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
(800) 486-5714 JAMES A. VICK
FAX: (615) 367-2480 THERESA M. COSTONIS
BEVERLY P. SHARPE DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
CONSUMER COUNSEL DIRECTOR E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: MICHAEL A. BELZ, BPR #17251
CONTACT: JESSE D. JOSEPH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
January 30, 2004
MEMPHIS LAWYER SUSPENDED
By Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court filed January 28, 2004, Michael A. Belz, of Memphis, was
suspended from the practice of law for one year effective November 17, 2003. Belz had previously been
temporarily suspended from the practice of law on February 20, 2002 for failure to respond to a complaint
of misconduct.
A Petition for Discipline was filed by the Board of Professional Responsibility against Mr. Belz on
August 13, 2002 alleging that Mr. Belz failed to properly and timely appear and represent his clients.
When Belz failed to respond to the petition, a Motion for Default Judgment was filed and granted against
him on July 18, 2003.
A hearing on the Petition for Discipline as to disciplinary sanction was conducted before a Hearing Panel
of the Board on October 29, 2003. Mr. Belz appeared and testified as to mitigating factors. The Hearing
Panel in its November 17, 2003 Judgment found that Belz violated the Code of Professional
Responsibility in that he neglected legal matters entrusted to him by a client, failed to represent the client
with reasonable diligence and promptness and to keep this client reasonably informed about the status of
his case to the extent necessary to make informed decisions, and failed to comply with Rules of the
Supreme Court or cooperate with the Board or with Disciplinary Counsel regarding this complaint of
misconduct.
The Hearing Panel found that Mr. Belz should be suspended from the practice of law for one year
effective November 17, 2003, and placed conditions upon Mr. Belzâ reinstatement.
The suspension will remain in effect until an Order of Reinstatement, if any, is issued by the Tennessee
Supreme Court. Reinstatement would be granted only if Mr. Belz demonstrates by clear and convincing
evidence that he has the moral qualifications, competency, and learning required for admission to the
practice of law and that his resumption of practice would not be detrimental to the integrity and standing
of the bar or administration of justice or subversive to the public interest.
The order requires Mr. Belz to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceeding as a condition to
being reinstated to the practice of law.
JDJ:mw
Belz 1331 rel.doc