BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2010)
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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: RICHARD D. CARTWRIGHT, BPR# 11242
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
June 22, 2010
FORMER COVINGTON LAWYER DISBARRED
On June 17, 2010, Richard D. Cartwright, formerly of Covington, Tennessee, was disbarred by the
Tennessee Supreme Court. As of the date of this disbarment, Mr. Cartwright was also serving a three (3) year
suspension from a prior disciplinary matter. He had been temporarily suspended by the Court pursuant to
Section 4.3 of Supreme Court Rule 9 on December 3, 2009 for failing to comply with the Tennessee Lawyerâs
Assistance Program. Finally, he was suspended by the Commission on Continuing Legal Education on August
17, 2009, for noncompliance.
On June 9, 2009, the Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline containing
thirty-three (33) complaints of misconduct against Mr. Cartwright. A Supplemental Petition for Discipline was
filed against Mr. Cartwright on August 12, 2009, containing four (4) additional complaints of misconduct. Mr.
Cartwright did not file an answer to either petition. A Hearing Panel granted a default judgment recommending
that Mr. Cartwright be disbarred and pay restitution to thirty-six (36) former clients. Mr. Cartwright abandoned
his practice immediately following the entry of a prior disciplinary order of suspension and did not inform
clients or courts of the suspension. In twenty-seven (27) of the complaints, Mr. Cartwright failed to inform
clients of his suspension as required by Section 18 of Supreme Court Rule 9 thus resulting in his failure to
return client property and legal fees. All of the complaints contain allegations of lack of communication and
lack of diligence. Mr. Cartwright also failed to respond to the Boardâs inquiries in thirty-four (34) of the
complaints in violation of Rule of Professional Conduct 8.1.
Mr. Cartwrightâs actions violate the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1, Competence; 1.3,
Diligence; 1.4, Communication; 1.5, Fees; 1.16, Declining and Terminating Representation; 3.2, Expediting
Litigation; 8.1, Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4, Misconduct.
Mr. Cartwright must comply with Sections 18 and 19 of Supreme Court Rule regarding the obligations
and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement. He must pay the Boardâs costs
and expenses prior to reinstatement to the practice of law.
Cartwright 1823-8 rel.doc
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