BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2025)
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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: JERRY RONALD GIVENS, 022102
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
April 14, 2025
KNOX_COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On April 14, 2025, Jerry Ronald Givens, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Givens represented a client in a civil general sessions lawsuit. Mr. Givens failed to attend the initial
trial setting, at which a judgment was entered against his client. Two days later, the judgment was sent to Mr.
Givens via email by opposing counsel. Mr. Givens untimely appealed the judgment to circuit court after the 10day appeal deadline. The circuit court dismissed the general sessions appeal, and Mr. Givens filed an appeal to
the court of appeals. Mr. Givens did not timely file his appellate brief; he failed to comply with an extension of
time to file the brief; and he failed to file a motion for extension of time to file the brief after being directed to
do so by the court.
By these acts, Jerry Ronald Givens has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 3.4
(fairness to opposing party and counsel), and Rule 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice) and is
hereby Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Givens 100610-2024-2 rel.doc