BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2005)
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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
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: CHRISTOPHER P. RENARD, BOPR #15871
CONTACT: JESSE D. JOSEPH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
May 5, 2005
TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT ADJUDGES MEMPHIS
LAWYER TO BE IN WILLFUL CONTEMPT OF COURT
On May 2, 2005, the Tennessee Supreme Court entered a Consent Order adjudging
Christopher P. Renard, a Memphis lawyer, to be in willful contempt of court and fining him the
amount of $100. Renard has been continuously suspended from the practice of law since May
21, 2004 - - the date of the Supreme Courtâs Order of Temporary Suspension entered against him
for failing to respond to complaints of ethical misconduct.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Order of Contempt against
Renard in January 2005, alleging that after June 20, 2004, he had continued to provide legal
services to a former client and had held himself out to opposing counsel and the general public as
a practicing lawyer while suspended. The Board also alleged that Renard had consistently
refused to properly comply with the requirements and obligations of suspended or disbarred
lawyers as set forth in Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18.
At the Show Cause Hearing before the Court on April 5, 2005, Renard admitted that he
had no factual dispute with the matters as included in the Petition for Contempt, and expressed
remorse for his actions. Disciplinary Counsel requested, due to the intervention of the Tennessee
Lawyers Assistance Program, that the Court refrain from punishing Renard by imprisonment to
allow him to obtain inpatient treatment for impairments which afflict him.
The Supreme Court concluded that Renard had willfully misbehaved as an officer of the
Court, that he had willfully disobeyed the Courtâs lawful decrees and had engaged in the
performance of forbidden acts, all as alleged by the Board. Accordingly, the Supreme Court
adjudged Renard to be in contempt on two counts and ordered him to pay a fine in the amount of
$50 upon each count and all costs of the cause, for which execution shall issue if necessary.
Renard 1484-9 rel.doc