BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2005)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference. The original PDF remains the official record for legal purposes.
Need help? Please use the Assistance Request Form below.
Original PDF Document
Download Official Record (hodges-1480-9-rel632567847517399024.pdf)
Alternative Accessible HTML
Accessible Alternative: This HTML version is an automatically processed accessible alternative. While it provides a searchable format, the text extraction may contain formatting or character errors. The original PDF remains the authoritative official record.
Need a different format? Use the Request Assistance Form.
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
WARNER HODGES, III, BPR #4780
CONTACT: LAURA L. CHASTAIN
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 12, 2005
MEMPHIS ATTORNEY SUSPENDED FROM PRACTICE OF LAW
On July 11, 2005, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an Order suspending the law
license of Memphis attorney, Warner Hodges, III for a period of one (1) year retroactive to
October 1, 2004, the date upon which he was first suspended by the Supreme Court of
Tennessee. The Supreme Court further ordered that Hodges shall continue in his monitoring
agreement with Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) upon terms and conditions
recommended by TLAP, for a period of five (5) years, with any reported incidence of non-
compliance constituting immediate grounds for summary suspension.
Disciplinary Counsel filed a Petition for Discipline pursuant to Rule 9, Rules of the
Supreme Court of Tennessee. Pursuant to Section 16.1 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9,
Hodges submitted a Conditional Guilty Plea admitting he had been out of compliance with his
contract with Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) and that he had practiced law
after having been suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The Board of Professional
Responsibility approved the plea and the Tennessee Supreme Court accepted its
recommendation.
The Supreme Court also ordered that Hodges comply with Section 18 of Tennessee
Supreme Court Rule 9 which requires Hodges to notify by registered or certified mail all clients
being represented in pending matters, all co-counsel and opposing counsel of the Supreme
Courtâs Order suspending his license. Section 18 also requires Hodges to deliver to all clients
any papers or property to which they are entitled.
This disciplinary matter was held pursuant to Supreme Court Rules 8 and 9. In
Tennessee suspended lawyers may, after the passage of their suspension, apply for reinstatement
of their law licenses. However, to succeed these lawyers must carry their burden of proof by
clear and convincing evidence that their reinstatement will not be detrimental to the integrity and
standing of the bar or the administration of justice or subversive to the public interest.
Hodges 1480-9 rel.doc
PLEASE NOTE
YOU MAY SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE INFORMATIONAL RELEASES,
FORMAL ETHICS OPINIONS, NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS
ELECTRONICALLY BY SIGNING IN AT THE BOARDâS WEBSITE
www. bpr.org/Subscriptions