BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2006)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: PAUL J. SPRINGER, SR., BPR #21267
CONTACT: JESSE D. JOSEPH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
May 22, 2006
MEMPHIS LAWYER PUBLICLY CENSURED
Paul J. Springer, Sr., of Memphis, was publicly censured by the Board of
Professional Responsibility on May 19, 2006. The censure was issued by the Board
pursuant to Rule 9, Section 8 of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Springer
did not request a hearing on the matter.
In one complaint filed against Springer as appointed counsel by the Tennessee
Court of Criminal Appeals, the Board found that he grossly neglected three appeals
which were pending with the Court between 2004 and 2005. In each of these appeals,
Springer was exceedingly dilatory and failed to file his brief despite being granted 3-4
extensions of time by the Court in each of these cases over nearly 6 months between
the Spring and Fall of 2005.
Springer was adjudged to be in willful contempt pursuant to September 20, 2005
orders of the Court of Criminal Appeals in each of these cases and was discharged as
counsel. However, he failed to pay the $50 fine and costs assessed against him in
each of these matters by October 20, 2005 as ordered, and did so only after a
subsequent show cause order issued setting a hearing on November 15, 2005 for his
failure to comply.
The Board also concluded that Springer had failed to comply with both the orders
of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Tennessee Rules of Appellate
Procedure. In mitigation, the Board found that Springer had practiced law for only a few
years and that the instances of neglect involved in these cases appeared to be limited
to a specific period of time in 2005.
Springer 28516-9 rel.doc
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