BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2015)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference.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 (doherty-2305-1-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
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
RE: JOSEPH JAMES DOHERTY, BPR #14295
CONTACT: WILLIAM C. MOODY
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
September 2, 2015
HAMBLEN COUNTY ATTORNEY DISBARRED
On September 2, 2015, Joseph James Doherty was disbarred by the Tennessee Supreme Court and
ordered to pay restitution of $600. The disbarment took effect immediately. Further, Mr. Doherty must pay the
Board of Professional Responsibilityâs costs and expenses and the court costs within ninety days.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline and a Supplemental Petition for
Discipline based upon four complaints of misconduct. In the first complaint, Mr. Doherty appeared in court
while suspended for failing to comply with continuing legal education requirements. In the second complaint,
Mr. Doherty failed to respond to a motion to dismiss and failed to advise his client that the case had been
dismissed. In the third complaint, Mr. Doherty failed to complete the probating of an estate. In the fourth
complaint, Mr. Doherty failed to properly serve the defendant causing the suit to be barred by the statute of
limitations. He failed to advise his client of this and instead made misrepresentations to his client leading him
to believe that the case was ongoing. Mr. Doherty failed to notify his clients that he had been suspended for
failing to comply with continuing legal education requirements. Mr. Doherty abandoned his practice. He also
failed to respond to requests for information from the Board.
A Hearing Panel found Mr. Dohertyâs actions violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct:
1.1, Competence; 1.3, Diligence; 1.4, Communication; 1.16, Declining and Terminating Representation; 3.2,
Expediting Litigation; 5.5, Unauthorized Practice of Law; 8.1(b), Bar Admissions and Disciplinary Matters; and
8.4(a), (c) and (g), Misconduct.
Mr. Doherty was previously suspended for failing to comply with continuing legal education
requirements on August 21, 2013 and for failing to respond to requests for information from the Board on
December 27, 2013. To date, Mr. Doherty has not been reinstated from his previous suspensions.
Mr. Doherty must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and
30 (2014), regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Doherty 2305-1 rel.doc