BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2007)
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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: STEPHEN M. BROWN, #9749
CONTACT: JESSE D. JOSEPH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 30, 2007
MEMPHIS LAWYER CENSURED
Stephen M. Brown, of Memphis, was publicly censured by the Board of Professional Responsibility on
January 26, 2007. The censure was issued by the Board pursuant to Rule 9, Section 8 of the Rules of the
Tennessee Supreme Court. Brown did not request a hearing on the matter.
A complaint alleging ethical misconduct was filed against Brown involving his possible unauthorized
practice of law while suspended. The Board found that on August 3, 2006, Brown improperly prepared, signed
and filed an Answer in a civil action in Shelby County Circuit Court on behalf of a corporate defendant, as
Vice-President of the corporation. Brown had been Vice-President of the corporation for two years as of the
late summer of 2006, but he was suspended from the practice of law for forty-five days beginning on July 28,
2006, pursuant to the Tennessee Supreme Courtâs July 18, 2006 order filed in an unrelated matter.
The Board concluded that Brownâs actions constituted the unauthorized practice of law while he was
suspended, and that he should have known that preparation, signing and filing of the Answer on behalf of the
corporation as Vice-President would be ethically improper. The Board also found somewhat mitigating the
facts that he ceased providing legal services and ensured that the corporation retained separate counsel in the
underlying civil action immediately after opposing counsel informed him that a licensed attorney was required
in order to represent a corporation.
Brown 29430-9 rel.doc
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