ford-2759-4-sc-order.pdf (2018)
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10/02/2018
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
IN RE: CARLA ANN KENT FORD, BPR #014312
An Attorney Licensed to Practice Law in Tennessee
(Rutherford County)
_________________________
No. M2018-01727-SC-BAR-BP
BOPR No. 2017-2759-4-AJ
_________________________
ORDER OF ENFORCEMENT
This matter is before the Court upon a Petition for Discipline filed against Carla
Ann Kent Ford on August 11, 2017; upon a Motion for Default Judgment and that
Charges in Petition for Discipline Be Deemed Admitted filed on April 3, 2018; upon an
Order for Default Judgment entered April 20, 2018; upon a hearing on May 23, 2018;
upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law of the Hearing Panel entered June 13,
2018; upon service of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law of the Hearing Panel
on Ms. Ford by the Executive Secretary of the Board on June 13, 2018; upon the Boardâs
Application for Assessment of Costs filed June 14, 2018; upon the Hearing Panelâs
Findings and Judgment for Assessment of Costs entered July 6, 2018; upon service of the
Hearing Panelâs Findings and Judgment for Assessment of Costs upon Ms. Ford on July
6, 2018; upon consideration and approval by the Board on August 7, 2018; upon
expiration of the appeal period with no appeal taken; and upon the entire record in this
cause.
From all of which the Court approves and adopts the Hearing Panelâs Findings of
Fact and Conclusions of Law as the Courtâs Order.
On December 22, 2016, Ms. Ford was suspended from the practice of law for four
(4) years (Case No. M2016-01035-SC-BAR-BP). To date, Ms. Ford has not requested,
nor been granted reinstatement.
IT IS, THEREFORE, CONSIDERED, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND
DECREED BY THE COURT THAT:
(1) Carla Ann Kent Ford is suspended from the practice of law for five (5)
years pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 12.2.
(2) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 12.7, and as a condition precedent to any
reinstatement, Ms. Ford shall make restitution to the following individuals and shall
furnish to the Board of Professional Responsibility proof of restitution. In the event
restitution is made by the Tennessee Lawyerâs Fund for Client Protection (TLFCP), Ms.
Ford shall reimburse TLFCP in the same amount:
(a) Donald Neel, or his sister, Darlene Neel - $3,000; and
(b) Pierre Martin, or his mother, Patoria Hyde - $900.
(3) Prior to seeking reinstatement, Ms. Ford must be evaluated by the
Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, or a comparable organization such as the
Vanderbilt Comprehensive Assessment program, and submit the results of such
evaluation to the Hearing Panel that presides over her petition for reinstatement.
(4) Prior to seeking reinstatement, Ms. Ford must have met all CLE
requirements; have remitted all outstanding registration fees and outstanding professional
privilege taxes, including those due from the date of this suspension until the date of
reinstatement; and have remitted all court costs and Board costs in this matter.
(5) Additionally, Ms. Ford shall comply in all aspects with Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9,
§§ 28 and 30.4, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and
the procedure for reinstatement.
(6) Should Ms. Ford be reinstated to the practice of law, she will be required
to:
(a) obtain a practice monitor who will be required to report her progress
to the Board no less than once every sixty (60) days for a time period
as determined by the reinstatement Hearing Panel; and
(b) complete an additional forty (40) hours of continuing legal education
with fifteen (15) of those hours taken through the Tennessee Law
Institute, and the remaining twenty-five (25) hours in the areas of
law in which she predominately practices.
(7) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.1, this Order shall be effective upon
entry.
(8) Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 31.3(d), Ms. Ford shall pay to the Board
of Professional Responsibility the expenses and costs of this matter in the amount of
$936.51 and shall pay to the Clerk of this Court the costs incurred herein, within ninety
(90) days of the entry of this Order, for all of which execution may issue if necessary.
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(9) The Board of Professional Responsibility shall cause notice of this
discipline to be published as required by Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.11.
PER CURIAM
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