dukes-3118.pdf (2020)
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE 10/09/2020
AT NASHVILLE
IN RE: JAMES AUSTIN DUKES, BPR #026731
An Attorney Licensed to Practice Law in Tennessee
(Hammond, Louisiana)
_________________________
No. M2020-01197-SC-BAR-BP
BOPR No. 2020-3118-0-JM-25
__________________________
ORDER OF RECIPROCAL DISCIPLINE
This matter is before the Court pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 25, upon a Notice
of Submission filed by the Board of Professional Responsibility (âBoardâ) consisting of a
certified copy of an Order from the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana entered July
2, 2020, whereby James Austin Dukes was permanently prohibited from the practice of
law in Louisiana.
On September 4, 2020, this Court entered a Notice of Reciprocal Discipline
instructing Mr. Dukes to inform this Court within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Notice
why reciprocal discipline should not be imposed in Tennessee pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct.
R. 9, § 25.4; and notifying Mr. Dukes that in the absence of a response demonstrating the
grounds set forth in Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 25.4, the Court of Tennessee would impose
discipline with identical terms and conditions based upon the Order of the Supreme Court
of the State of Louisiana. This Court has received no response from Mr. Dukes.
The order entered by the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana on July 2, 2020
stated that âJames A. Dukes shall be permanently prohibited from practicing law in
Louisianaâ and âshall be permanently prohibited from seeking readmission to the practice
of law in this state.â
After careful consideration of the record in this matter as well as the filings of the
parties, the Court finds, based upon the particular facts of this case, that none of the
elements in Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 25.4 exist. Accordingly, it is appropriate to enter an
Order of Reciprocal Discipline.
IT IS, THEREFORE, CONSIDERED, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED
BY THE COURT THAT:
(1) James Austin Dukes is hereby permanently disbarred from the practice of law in
Tennessee.
(2) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 31.3, Mr. Dukes shall pay to the Board of
Professional Responsibility the expenses and costs of this matter in the amount of
$100.00 and shall pay to the Clerk of this Court the costs incurred herein, within
ninety (90) days of the entry of this Order, for all of which execution may issue if
necessary.
(3) Mr. Dukes shall comply in all aspects with Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28 regarding the
obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.
(4) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.1, this Order shall be effective upon entry.
(5) The Board of Professional Responsibility shall cause notice of this discipline to be
published as required by Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.11.
PER CURIAM
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