springer-2940.pdf (2020)
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03/26/2020
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
IN RE: PAUL JAMES SPRINGER, BPR #021267
An Attorney Licensed to Practice Law in Tennessee
(Shelby County)
_________________________
No. M2020-00404-SC-BAR-BP
BOPR No. 2018-2940-9-AW
_________________________
ORDER OF ENFORCEMENT
This matter is before the Court upon a Petition for Discipline filed against Paul
James Springer on November 26, 2019; upon Motion for Default Judgment and That
Charges in Petition for Discipline be Deemed Admitted filed March 5, 2019; upon entry
of an Order for Default Judgment on March 26, 2019; upon the filing of a Sealed Motion
for Stay of Hearing on June 19, 2019; upon Mr. Springer filing a Motion Pursuant to
Supreme Court Rule 27.4 on June 19, 2019; upon the Court entering its Order requiring
Mr. Springer provide medical documentation within ten (10) days to support his request
for disability inactive status filed on June 20, 2019; upon the Court entering its Order
denying Mr. Springer disability inactive status on July 23, 2019; upon the Notice of
Filing entered on July 24, 2019; upon the Hearing Panel entering its Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law on November 1, 2019; upon the Executive Secretary of the Board
mailing a copy of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law to Mr. Springer on
November 1, 2019; upon the Boardâs Application for Assessment of Costs filed
November 18, 2019; upon the Hearing Panelâs Findings and Judgment for Assessment of
Costs on December 18, 2019; and upon the Executive Secretary of the Board mailing a
copy to Mr. Springer by on December 18, 2019; upon consideration and approval by the
Board on February 13, 2019; upon expiration of the appeal period with no appeal taken;
and upon the entire record in this cause.
On March 13, 2020, Mr. Springer filed a motion to stay the order of enforcement
and instead remand the matter to the hearing panel for a hearing on a pending motion for
new trial. Also on March 13, 2020, Mr. Springer filed an objection to the proposed order
of enforcement and motion to remand the matter to the hearing panel. On March 19,
2020, this Court ordered the Board to file a response within ten days. The Board filed its
response on March 23, 2020. Upon review of both motions and the Boardâs response,
this Court finds that both motions should be DENIED.
From all of which the Court approves the Order of the Hearing Panel and adopts
the Hearing Panelâs Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law as the Courtâs Order.
IT IS, THEREFORE, CONSIDERED, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND
DECREED BY THE COURT THAT:
(1) Paul James Springer is disbarred from the practice of law pursuant to Tenn.
Sup. Ct., R., § 12.1.
(2) Paul James Springer shall make restitution to Dr. Angela Middleton in the
amount of $150,000.00, pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R, § 12.7, and that payment of
restitution shall be a condition precedent to the filing of any petition for reinstatement.
(3) Prior to seeking reinstatement, Mr. Springer must have met all CLE
requirements; have remitted all outstanding registration fees and outstanding professional
privilege taxes, including those due from the date of this disbarment until the date of
reinstatement; and have remitted all court costs and Board costs in this matter.
(4) Additionally, Mr. Springer shall comply in all aspects with Tenn. Sup. Ct.
R. 9, §§ 28 and 30.4, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys
and the procedure for reinstatement.
(5) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.1, this Order shall be effective upon
entry.
(6) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 31.3(d), Mr. Springer shall pay to the
Board of Professional Responsibility the expenses and costs of this matter in the amount
of $1,424.99 and shall pay to the Clerk of this Court the costs incurred herein, within
ninety (90) days of the entry of this Order, for all of which execution may issue if
necessary.
(7) The Board of Professional Responsibility shall cause notice of this
discipline to be published as required by Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.11.
PER CURIAM
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