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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: CRAIG THOMAS PHELPS, BPR # 037612
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 18, 2023
TENNESSEE LAWYER CENSURED
On July 18, 2023, Craig Thomas Phelps, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Phelps is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, and he serves in the United States Air Force in Great
Falls, Montana. Mr. Phelps intended to file a motion to place his license on military exempt status with the Board
of Professional Responsibility in March 2020, but he did not do so. Mr. Phelps did not pay his annual registration
fee for 2021. He received three notices of the fee and his failure to pay it. Mr. Phelps incorrectly believed the
notices were in error because he was âmilitary exempt.â On March 15, 2021, Mr. Phelpsâ law license was
suspended for his failure to pay his annual fee, but he did not stop practicing law. On March 7, 2022, he stopped
practicing law. Mr. Phelps received discipline from the United States Air Force for this conduct.
By these acts, Mr. Phelps has violated Rule of Professional Conduct 5.5 (unauthorized practice of law)
and is hereby Publicly Censured for this violation.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Phelps 70100-0 rel.doc