BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2017)
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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
RE: JAMES BRYAN LEWIS, BPR #15116
CONTACT: WILLIAM C. MOODY
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
March 21, 2017
DAVIDSON COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On March 21, 2017, James Bryan Lewis of Nashville, Tennessee, was Publicly Censured by order of the
Tennessee Supreme Court.
On April 27, 2015, the Board filed a Petition for Discipline against Mr. Lewis alleging that he
committed ethical misconduct by engaging in an ex parte communication with a General Sessions judge in
order to obtain a favorable result for his client. Specifically, Mr. Lewis represented a man charged with
domestic assault and who was subject to the statutory 12-hour hold before being released on bond. Without
notifying the District Attorneyâs Office, Mr. Lewis made an ex parte telephone call to a General Sessions judge
at his home on a Sunday morning to obtain the waiver of the 12-hour hold.
Mr. Lewis entered into a conditional guilty plea admitting that his actions violated Rules of Professional
Conduct 3.5(b) (Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal) and 8.4(a) (Misconduct) and should be Publicly
Censured for this violation.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Lewis 2449-5 rel.doc