BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2010)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference. The original PDF remains the official record for legal purposes.
Need help? Please use the Assistance Request Form below.
Original PDF Document
Download Official Record (keeler-1590-9-and-1952-9-rel.pdf)
Alternative Accessible HTML
Accessible Alternative: This HTML version is an automatically processed accessible alternative. While it provides a searchable format, the text extraction may contain formatting or character errors. The original PDF remains the authoritative official record.
Need a different format? Use the Request Assistance Form.
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: VANESSA G. KEELER, BPR# 20481
CONTACT: RANDALL J. SPIVEY
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
September 29, 2010
MEMPHIS LAWYER SUSPENDED
On September 24, 2010, Vanessa G. Keeler of Memphis, Tennessee, was suspended by the
Tennessee Supreme Court for a period of one (1) year pursuant to Rule 9, Section 4.2, of the Rules of the
Supreme Court. Ms. Keelerâs actual suspension will be three (3) months with the remainder of the
suspension period served on probation. Ms. Keeler was also ordered to pay restitution to four clients.
Ms. Keeler violated disciplinary rules in ten (10) separate client matters that demonstrated a pattern
of delay and lack of diligence. Ms. Keelerâs actions violated former Disciplinary Rules 1-102, 2-110, 6-
101 and 7-101, and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 8, Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (Competence),
1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.15 (Safekeeping Property), 1.16 (Declining and Terminating
Representation), 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 3.4
(Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 4.1 (Truthfulness and Candor in Statements to Others), 5.4
(Professional Independence of a Lawyer), 8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters) and 8.4
(Misconduct).
Ms. Keeler was furthered ordered to pay the expenses and costs of the disciplinary proceedings
against her, pursuant to Rule 9, Section 24.3, of the Rules of the Supreme Court, and fully comply in all
respects with the requirements and obligations of suspended attorneys as set forth in Rule 9, Section 18.1
of the Rules of the Supreme Court.
Keeler 1590-9; 1952-9 rel.doc
PLEASE NOTE
YOU MAY SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE INFORMATIONAL RELEASES, FORMAL ETHICS
OPINIONS, NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS ELECTRONICALLY BY SIGNING IN
AT THE BOARDâS WEBSITE
www.tbpr.org/Subscriptions