BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2010)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference. The original PDF remains the official record for legal purposes.
Need help? Please use the Assistance Request Form below.
Original PDF Document
Download Official Record (bell-32472-2-rel.pdf)
Alternative Accessible HTML
Accessible Alternative: This HTML version is an automatically processed accessible alternative. While it provides a searchable format, the text extraction may contain formatting or character errors. The original PDF remains the authoritative official record.
Need a different format? Use the Request Assistance Form.
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: JAMES A. H. BELL, BPR# 775
CONTACT: RACHEL L. WATERHOUSE
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
March 5, 2010
KNOXVILLE LAWYER CENSURED
On March 4, 2010, James A. H. Bell, a Tennessee attorney, received a Public Censure from the Board of
Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
On August 13, 2009, U. S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Shirley, Jr., U. S. District Court, Eastern District of
Tennessee, found Mr. Bell in criminal contempt beyond a reasonable doubt for misrepresentations made with
the intent to obstruct the business of the court and the administration of justice. The Court held that Mr. Bell
had intentionally, willfully and knowingly made misrepresentations about a meeting with a person who later
was a co-defendant in a criminal case in which Mr. Bell represented another co-defendant. The Court
specifically found that the misrepresentations were not honest mistakes based on a flawed memory or mistaken
belief. The Court fined Mr. Bell the maximum of $5,000 and stated that â[T]his occurrence appears to be a one-
time blemish on an otherwise lengthy and commendable record of legal representation.â Mr. Bell self-reported
the Courtâs decision to the Board.
Mr. Bellâs actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3(a) (false statement) and 8.4(d) (conduct
prejudicial to the administration of justice) and is hereby Publicly Censured for those violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Bell 32472-2 rel.doc
PLEASE NOTE
YOU MAY SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE INFORMATIONAL RELEASES, FORMAL ETHICS
OPINIONS, NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS ELECTRONICALLY BY SIGNING IN AT
THE BOARDâS WEBSITE
www.tbpr.org/Subscriptions