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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: RICKY A. W. CURTIS, BPR # 019761
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 7, 2023
SULLIVAN_COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On July 7, 2023, Ricky A. W. Curtis, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a Public
Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Curtis represented a client on an appeal of a criminal sentence. After the appeal was filed, the client
was charged with additional felonies and Mr. Curtis negotiated a plea on the subsequent charges which included
his clientâs dismissal of the appeal of the first conviction. There was a delay in the clientâs entry of the plea on
the subsequent charges, and Mr. Curtis failed to timely file the brief in support of the appeal of the first charges.
The court sent Mr. Curtis a notice and entered an order directing him to file his brief, and he did not respond to
either. The court then ordered Mr. Curtis to appear, which he did. The client eventually dismissed the appeal as
planned.
By these acts, Mr. Curtis has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 3.4(c) (fairness to
opposing party and counsel) 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.
Curtis 73382-1 rel.doc