BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2014)
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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
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: PATRICIA DONICE BUTLER, BPR# 22706
CONTACT: ALAN D. JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 28, 2014
ROANE COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On July 28, 2014, Patricia Donice Butler, of Roane County, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice
of law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for nine (9) months, ninety (90) days of which is to be active
and the remainder to be served on probation subject to conditions requiring her to complete an additional twelve
(12) hours of Continuing Legal Education, engage a practice monitor during the period of probation, confer
with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP), and comply with any and all recommendations of
TLAP.
A Petition for Discipline was filed on May 3, 2012, and a Supplemental Petition for Discipline was filed
on July 12, 2013. The Petitions contained six (6) complaints alleging that Ms. Butler committed ethical
misconduct in her representation of clients in 2008-2012. Ms. Butler failed to act with competence and
diligence, and failed to adequately communicate with her clients and expedite litigation. In one case she was
not candid with the court concerning the failure to timely answer written discovery and in another case she
signed an agreed order after being terminated by her client. She also failed to secure a signed order granting
temporary emergency custody for one client, and failed to appear at a hearing where summary judgment was
granted against another client.
Ms. Butlerâs actions violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1, Competence; 1.2 (a),
Scope of Representation; 1.3, Diligence; 1.4, Communication; 1.16 (a) and (d), Declining and Terminating
Representation; 3.2, Expediting Litigation; 3.3, Candor Toward the Tribunal; and 8.4(a), (c) and (d),
Misconduct.
Ms. Butler must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18 (2006)
and Rule 9, section 30.4 (2014) regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the
procedure for reinstatement.
Butler 2117-2 rel.doc
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