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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
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: J. RUSSELL HELDMAN, BPR #009989
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 19, 2023
WILLIAMSON_COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On January 19, 2023, J. Russell Heldman, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Heldman represented a client in a contentious divorce. He filed two motions to recuse the trial judge,
both of which were denied. Meanwhile, the opposing party was awarded attorney fees by order in April 2018.
Thereafter, funds were paid into court from the sale of a piece of marital property. The opposing party filed a
motion to disburse the funds held by the court to satisfy the award of attorney fees. Mr. Heldman opposed this
motion. The court orally granted the opposing partyâs motion to disburse the funds, and the court ordered
opposing counsel to prepare an order. After the motion had been orally granted, but before the order was entered,
Mr. Heldman filed a third motion to recuse the trial judge. The motion included arguments that had not been
raised in the trial court and arguments that addressed issues previously raised in the earlier motions for recusal.
The court of appeals denied the third motion to recuse and held that the motion was frivolous.
By the aforementioned acts, Mr. Heldman violated Rule of Professional Conduct 3.1 (meritorious claims
and contentions, 3.4 (fairness to opposing party), and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice) 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.
Heldman 69011-6 rel.doc