morrell-1960-1634717396561721451.pdf (2011)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
10 CADILLAC DRlVE. SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAlL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: KRISTEN E. MORRELL. BPR# 22994
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
Apri121,2011
SULLIVAN COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On April 15, 2011, Kristen E. Morrell of Bristol, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice of law for
one (1) year by the Tennessee Supreme Court and ordered to pay restitution to four (4) former clients. Payment
of restitution is a condition of reinstatement. Ms. Morrell is already serving administrative suspensions for
failure to comply with continuing legal education requirements and failure to pay registration fees to the Board.
On August 20, 2010, a Petition for Discipline was ï¬led against Ms. Morrell containing four (4)
complaints of disciplinary misconduct. A Hearing Panel determined that Ms. Morrell failed to appear in court
on behalf of client. Further, she abandoned her practice shortly after accepting fees from new clients. Ms.
Morrell promised to refund the fees; however, she did not.
Ms. Morrellâs actions Violate the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3, Diligence; 1.4,
Communication; 1.5, Fees; 1.16, Declining and Terminating Representation; 8.], Bar Admission and
Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4, Misconduct.
Ms. Morrell must comply with Sections 18 and 19 of Rule 9, Rules of the Supreme Court, regarding the
obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Morrell 1960â1 rel.doc
PLEASE NOTE
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I'M-7101' i§ a;
INTHE SUPREME COURT on TENNESSEE is g in page
AT NASHVILLE ' '
ZillaPR as Pit 2:32.
IN RE: KRISTEN E. MORRELL, BPR #22994
An Attorney Licensed to Practice Law in Tennessee APPELLATE COURT CLERK
(Sullivan County) NtSttttLt-ï¬
BOPRNO. 2010-1960wleM
ORDER OF ENFORCEMENT
This matter is before the Court upon a Petition for Discipline ï¬led on August 20,
2010 by the Board of Professional Responsibility (âBoardâ) against Kristen E. Morrell
(âRespondentâ); upon an Amended Petition for Discipline ï¬led on September 14, 2010;
upon a Motion for Default Judgment and That Allegations Contained in the Amended
Petition for Discipline Be Deemed Admitted ï¬led by the Board on November 9, 2010 ;
upon an Order of Default entered on December 22, 2010; upon a hearing held January 19,
2011; upon Order of Hearing Panel entered on February 3, 2011; upon service of the
Order on Respondent sent by the Board on February 4,2011; upon expiration of the time '
to appeal with no appeal taken; upon consideration and approval by the Board on
March 11, 2011; and upon the entire record in this cauSe.
From all of which the Court approves the Order of Hearing Panel and adopts the
judgment of the Hearing Panel as the Courtâs Order,
Respondent was suspended for noncompliance with continuing legal education on
September 7, 2010. She was also suspended on October 25, 2010 for failure to pay
annual registration fees to the Board. To date, Respondent has not requested, nor been
granted, reinstatement.
It is therefore, ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED by the Court that:
1. Respondent, Kristen E. Morrell, shall he and is hereby suspended from the
practice of law for one (1) year pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9,, Section 4.2.
2. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 4.7, Respondent shall pay
restitution in the following amounts. Payment of restitution shall be a condition
precedent to reinstatement.
a) Ruth Trivett ~ $750.00
b) Ki mberly Carter . $2,325 .00
c) Crystai Puckett - $500.00
(1) Ja mes Johnson - $485.00
3. In the event that Respondent'IS granted reinstatement pursuant to Supreme
Court Rule 9, Section 19, Respondent shall be placed on probation for one (1) year.
Further, Respondent shalt engage a practice inonitm who will provide monthly reports to
the Board. Finally, Respondent shall undergo an evaluation by the Tennessee Lawyer
Assistance Program within ninety (90} days of reinstatement, the results of which shall
remain conï¬dential.
4. This suspension shall become eï¬Ã©bifiieigiâï¬gein (10) days otter the ï¬ling of this
Order.
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5. Respondent was suspendedafarnoncompliance with continuing legal
education on September 7, 2010. She was also suspended on October 25, 2010 for failure
to pay annual registration fees to the Board. To date, Respondent has not requested, nor
been granted, reinstatement. Therefore, the entry of this Order does not affect the
continuing validity of the prior suspensions.
6. Respondent shall compiy in ali aspects with Supreme Court Rule 9,
Sections 18 and 19 regarding the obiigations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys
and the procedure for reinstatement.
7. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 24.3, the Respondent shall pay
to the Board of Professional Responsibility the expenses and costs of this matter in the
amount of $420.90 and in addition, shalt pay to the Clerk of this Court the costs incurred
herein, within ninety (90) days of the entry of this Order, for ail ofwhich execution may.
issue if necessary.
8. The Board shall cause notice of this suspension to be published as required
by Supreme Court Rnie 9, Section $8.10.
FOR THE COURT:
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CORNELIA A. CLARK
CHIEF JUSTICE