BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2008)
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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: WILLIAM ANTHONY HELM, # 7588
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
May 12, 2008
MEMPHIS LAWYER DISBARRED
On May 9, 2008, William Anthony Helm, of Memphis, Tennessee, was disbarred by Order of the
Tennessee Supreme Court.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against William Anthony Helm
pursuant to Rule 9 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Mr. Helm did not respond to the Petition
and an Order of Default was taken. A Hearing Panel made specific findings based upon twenty-three
complaints of misconduct. William Anthony Helm violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by failing to
appear or perform on behalf of clients, failing to refund fees to clients, misappropriating funds, abandoning his
law practice, failing to withdraw and provide adequate notice to clients of his temporary suspension, and by
failing to update in writing his address changes with the Board. Further, his actions harmed the legal system
thus requiring the Presiding Judge in Shelby County to appoint private counsel to inventory his files to protect
clientsâ interests. William Anthony Helm is also ordered to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.
William Anthony Helmâs actions violate the following Rule(s) of Professional Conduct: 1.1,
Competence; 1.2(a), Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Lawyer and Client; 1.4,
Communication; 1.5, Fees; 1.7, Conflict of Interest; 1.15, Safekeeping of Property; 1.16, Declining and
Terminating Representation; 3.2, Expediting Litigation; 3.3, Candor Toward the Tribunal; 3.4, Fairness to
Opposing Party and Counsel; 4.1, Truthfulness and Candor in Statements to Others; 8.1, Bar Admission and
Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4, Misconduct.
William Anthony Helm must comply with the requirements of Rule 9, § 19 of the Rules of the Supreme
Court should he seek reinstatement of his Tennessee law license and he may not resume practice until reinstated
by further order of this Court.
Helm 1646-9 rel.doc
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