BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2012)
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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
WILLIAM LEE WHEATLEY, BPR #22339
CONTACT: SANDY GARRETT
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
May 30, 2012
SEVIER COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On May 25, 2012, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended the law license of William Lee Wheatley, a
Sevier County attorney, for a period of two years, with 120 days actual suspension and the remaining twenty
months probation. The Court ordered that Mr. Wheatley maintain strict compliance with his Tennessee
Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) monitoring agreement, and ordered that Mr. Wheatley pay $14,870 in
restitution to former clients.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against Mr. Wheatley, pursuant
to Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 8.2. A Hearing Panel found Mr. Wheatley neglected clientsâ cases; failed to
communicate with clients; accepted legal fees after being temporarily suspended; failed to repay loans from a
clientâs father; and entered a guilty plea to misdemeanor reckless endangerment.
Mr. Wheatleyâs actions violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (diligence); 1.4
(communication); 1.5 (fees); 1.16 (terminating representation); 3.2 (expediting litigation); 8.1 (disciplinary
matters) and 8.4 (misconduct).
Mr. Wheatley was ordered to pay the expenses and costs of the disciplinary proceedings against him,
pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 24.3, and fully comply in all respects with the requirements and
obligations of suspended attorneys as set forth in Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18.
Wheatley 2039-1 rel.doc
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