BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2011)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference.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 (dewhirst-34305-2-rel.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
10 CADILLAC DRIVE, SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: HILLARY ELLEN DEWHIRST, BPR# 22760
CONTACT: RACHEL WATERHOUSE
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 25, 2011
KNOX COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On October 25, 2011, Hillary Ellen Dewhirst, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
For years, Ms. Dewhirst has been appointed on cases as a Guardian Ad Litem for the Knox County
Juvenile Court. Ms. Dewhirst billed the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and was paid for these
services. Ms. Dewhirst self-reported to the Board that she was unaware prior to 2010 that Tennessee Supreme
court Rule 13 did not permit compensation for a non-lawyer assistant. Ms. Dewhirst immediately discontinued
the practice of billing the AOC for a non-lawyer assistant once she realized her error. However, she did not
make the AOC aware that she had billed for a non-lawyer assistant until they met with her in July 2011. Ms.
Dewhirst has agreed to make full restitution to the AOC for this overpayment.
By the aforementioned acts, Hillary Ellen Dewhirst has violated Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(a),
(c), and (d) (misconduct).
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Dewhirst 34305-2 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.tbpr.org/Subscriptions