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
WILLIAM E. GIBSON, BPR# 012636
CONTACT: SANDY GARRETT
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
(615) 361-7500
March 24, 2009
COOKEVILLE ATTORNEY DISBARRED
William E. Gibson, a Cookeville attorney, was disbarred by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court
entered March 20, 2009. By Judgment filed January 15, 2009, a three (3) member Hearing Panel found that
Gibson, the former District Attorney for the 13th Judicial District, engaged in intentional conduct involving
dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation that seriously adversely reflected on his fitness to practice law.
The Hearing Panel further found that Gibson, as an elected official holding a governmental position,
knowingly misused and abused his position with the intent to obtain a significant benefit for another, and caused
serious injury to the integrity of the legal process. The Hearing Panel found that while Gibson was the District
Attorney, Gibson improperly communicated with Christopher Adams who was incarcerated and charged with
first degree murder and other serious felonies. Additionally, the Panel found that Gibson as a District Attorney
influenced the outcome of the Adams prosecution, while misrepresenting the strength of the Stateâs case to the
family of the victim.
The Board of Professional Responsibility also charged Mr. Gibson with engaging in a conflict of interest
in improperly assisting Tina Sweat in obtaining post-conviction relief. The Hearing Panel found that Gibson
intentionally deceived the Court in the handling of the Tina Sweat Petition for Post-Conviction Relief and
submission of an Order granting her request by making misrepresentations, improperly withholding material
information, and causing a significant adverse effect on the legal proceeding.
The Hearing Panel found Gibson violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3 in Gibsonâs prosecution of
Christopher Adams for first degree murder and by failing to act with reasonable diligence in representing the
State of Tennessee in response to Tina Sweatâs Petition for Post-Conviction Relief. Gibson violated Rule 1.6
by breaching confidentiality during Gibsonâs ongoing personal relationship with Adams and by Gibsonâs
actions in Tina Sweatâs Petition for Post-Conviction Relief. Gibson violated Rule 1.7 by engaging in a conflict
of interest regarding the prosecution and post-conviction petition of Adams and the post-conviction of Sweat.
Gibson violated Rule 3.5 in his ex parte communications with Judge Sells and Judge Turnbull regarding the
Sweat Petition for Post-Conviction Relief. Gibson violated Rule 4.1 by making dishonest and deceitful
communications with the Court in the Sweat Petition for Post-Conviction Relief. Gibson violated Rule 4.2 by
communicating with Christopher Adams and Tina Sweat, both of whom were represented by counsel. Gibson
violated Rule 8.1 by misrepresenting the nature of his relationship with Tina Sweat to the Board of Professional
Responsibility. Gibson violated Rule 8.4 by engaging in deceitful conduct in the Adams case and engaging in
conduct in the Sweat case which was a misrepresentation to the Court and in both cases was prejudicial to the
administration of justice.
On September 25, 2006, the Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Gibsonâs law license for
posing a threat of substantial harm to the public based upon reports by Judge Leon Burns and attorney John
Parsons concerning Gibsonâs actions in the Adams case. Gibson has remained temporarily suspended since the
Supreme Courtâs September 25, 2006 Order.
Neither Gibson nor the Board of Professional Responsibility appealed the Hearing Panelâs Judgment and
by Order entered March 20, 2009, the Supreme Court accepted and adopted the Hearing Panelâs Judgment
disbarring Mr. Gibson.
Gibson 1653-4 rel.doc
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