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
ROBERT L. BOOKER, BPR #24887
CONTACT: LAURA L. CHASTAIN
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 26, 2007
TENNESSEE ATTORNEY PUBLICLY CENSURED
Robert L. Booker, a Tennessee attorney, residing in California, was publicly censured by the
Board of Professional Responsibility on January 24, 2007.
The U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reported to the Board of Professional
Responsibility that on April 12, 2005, the Court suspended Robert L. Booker from the bar of the Ninth Circuit
for eighteen (18) months to run concurrently with his Utah suspension. The Ninth Circuit Court Order
suspending Booker stated he could apply for reinstatement to the Courtâs bar if he was reinstated to practice in
Utah or admitted to practice in another state.
Booker moved for reinstatement based upon his admission to practice in Tennessee and stated
that he intended to take the July, 2006 bar examination in California. The Court noted that the stationery used
by Booker identified him as âattorney at lawâ and showed a California address without a clarifying statement
that Booker was admitted and eligible to practice only in Tennessee. The Court stated that the use of such
stationery may be misleading to the public and may also constitute the unauthorized practice of law in
California. The Court ordered Booker to take âthe necessary steps, including correcting his stationer, to address
this concernâ.
In addition, the U. S. Court of appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that Booker appeared at the
Courtâs front desk to file a notice of appearance as retained counsel for an appellant in a pro se appeal from an
April 25, 2006 District Court Order revoking the clientâs supervised release. Booker was informed by a court
employee that it would be inappropriate for him to appear before the Court while his Petition for Reinstatement
was pending. Booker, nevertheless, submitted the notice of appearance for filing. The Court found that Booker
exhibited poor judgment by submitting the notice of appearance after receiving notice that it would be
inappropriate to do so, in light of his suspension from the bar of the Court and the fact that the Court had not yet
acted upon his request to be reinstated. The Court directed that the clerk not enter Bookerâs appearance on the
docket and appointed new counsel for the appellant.
The Board of Professional Responsibility concluded that Booker violated Rules 7.1(a), 5.5(a)
and 8.4(a)(d) of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct. The Board publicly censured Booker and closed
the file.
Booker 29317-0 rel.doc
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