BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2009)
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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: J. STEPHEN HURST, BPR# 000547
CONTACT: PRESTON SHIPP
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
June 12, 2009
LAWYER CENSURED
On June 8, 2009, J. Stephen Hurst, licensed in Tennessee, received a Public Censure from the Board of
Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, the Board of
Professional Responsibility considered these matters at its meeting on March 13, 2009.
The Complainant, a Department of Childrenâs Services worker, was in court on March 25, 2008, in
response to a subpoena issued by the county prosecutor. The Respondent represented parents from whose
custody DCS had removed children. Before court was convened, the Complainant was sitting on the front row
of courtroom when the Respondent walked by, stepped on the Complainantâs toe, pointed his finger in the
Complainantâs face, and said something to the effect of, âIâve got your number.â When the Complainant stood
up, the Respondent assaulted the Complainant by bumping and pushing him with his stomach and spitting in the
Complainantâs face. Bailiffs escorted the Respondent out of the courtroom, and, as he was leaving, the
Respondent called the Complainant a foul name.
By the aforementioned facts, J. Stephen Hurst, has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 4.4(a) and
8.4(d) and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Hurst 31035-2-DB
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