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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
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: GARY NEIL PATTON, BPR #003878
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
May 22, 2023
RUTHERFORD COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
Effective May 22, 2023, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended Gary Neil Patton from the practice
of law for one (1) year with thirty (30) days being an active suspension and the remaining served on probation
pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court, Rule 9, Section 12.2. During the probationary period, Mr. Patton shall
incur no new complaints of misconduct that relate to conduct occurring during the period of suspension and
probation and which results in the recommendation by the Board that discipline be imposed.
A Petition for Discipline consisting of one (1) complaint was filed by the Board alleging Mr. Patton
failed to reasonably communicate with his client; collected a fee for work he performed without filing a motion
for approval of the fee in violation of the rules of the Probate Court and failed to maintain the same in his trust
account prior to receiving approval of the court; obtained a release of liability from his client without advising
his client, in writing, of the desirability of seeking independent counsel; and engaged in unprofessional conduct
through inappropriate conversations with his client in violation of Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4
(communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.7 (conflict of interest), 1.8 (h) (conflict of interest), and 1.15 (safekeeping
property and funds). Mr. Patton, upon being ordered to do so, promptly paid into Court the fee he had received
for the work he performed.
Mr. Patton must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and
30.4, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.
Patton 3257-4 rel.doc