BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2006)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference.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 (browder-1390-1-rel632913430238063026.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
RE: THOMAS MARTIN BROWDER, BPR #11424
CONTACT: WILLIAM W. HUNT, III, DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
(615) 361-7500, EXT. 218
August 15, 2006
LAW LICENSE OF KINGSPORT LAWYER SUSPENDED
On August 4, 2006, the Supreme Court of Tennessee issued an Order of Enforcement
relative to Thomas Martin Browder, who practices law in Kingsport, Tennessee. The Supreme
Court ordered that Mr. Browderâs law license be suspended for 11 months and 29 days. The
Supreme Court suspended all but 30 days of this law license suspension subject to Mr. Browder
fulfilling certain probationary requirements. (Mr. Browder ceased practicing law in May 2006
and the Court stated that this May cessation of practice fulfills the requirement that Mr. Browder
not practice for at least 30 days.) The Courtâs probationary requirement obligates Mr. Browder
to consult with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program and to comply with the programâs
requirements for a period of two years. If he fails to comply with the Tennessee Lawyers
Assistance Program requirements, Mr. Browder will be compelled to serve the entire 11 months
suspension. At this time, absent any further orders from the Court, Mr. Browder can continue to
practice law.
While employed in another law firm, Mr. Browder obtained a settlement in a workerâs
compensation case for $2,695.52 near the time he left the firm. A portion of the settlement was
needed to reimburse expenses advanced by the firm. Mr. Browder was tardy in determining the
exact amount of expenses.
In six more matters, Mr. Browder neglected the cases, failed to return phone calls, failed
to make appointments, failed to give clients their files, and otherwise failed to diligently pursue
his clientsâ cases.
This order was issued as a result of a conditional guilty plea entered into by Mr. Browder,
as provided in Rule 9, Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Disciplinary Counselâs office
concurred in Mr. Browderâs plea.
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. tbpr.org/Subscriptions
Browder 1390-1 rel.doc