BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2009)
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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
RE: CHARLES DEAS, BPR #2049
CONTACT: KEVIN BALKWILL
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 3, 2009
BLOUNT COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On November 2, 2009, Charles Deas, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
On August 24, 2007, Deas was retained to represent a client who was unavailable to appear in court on
August 27, 2007, for a juvenile matter. Deas placed a handwritten note in the Juvenile Court file and contacted
opposing counsel to indicate his representation in the matter. Deas requested that the matter be continued, but
opposing counsel was not in agreement. On the morning of August 27, 2007, Deas was detained in another
court and advised the Juvenile Court staff of his delay. The Juvenile Court made a ruling adverse to Deasâ
client in his absence. Deas immediately filed a Motion to Set Aside the ruling of the Juvenile Court. Deas
attempted to obtain hearing dates from opposing counsel on more than one occasion but was unsuccessful.
Deas failed to act diligently in setting the hearing date for the Motion to Set Aside, which was not heard until
February 2, 2009.
By the aforementioned facts, Charles Deas violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), and is
hereby Publicly Censured for the violation.
Deas 31370-2 rel.doc
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