BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2013)
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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: MARK EDWARD CHAPMAN, BPR #15397
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 22, 2013
DAVIDSON COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On January 17, 2013, Mark Edward Chapman, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Chapman instructed a paralegal to attend mediation with a client at which the opposing party was
represented by counsel. Opposing counsel and the two mediators believed the paralegal was an attorney. The
paralegal engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by signing with his own name the Agreement to Mediate
and the Community Mediation Status Agreement Form which was filed with the court; by negotiating with
opposing counsel and the mediators without the clients present; and by agreeing to resolve some issues on
behalf of the client. Mr. Chapman is responsible for the supervision of the paralegal.
Further, Mr. Chapman failed to provide diligent representation of his client at the mediation when the
other party was represented by counsel and issues in the case were resolved.
By these acts, Mark Edward Chapman has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 5.3 (responsibilities
regarding non-lawyer assistants) and 1.3 (diligence) and is publicly censured for these actions.
A public censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Chapman 35450-5 rel.doc
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