BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2018)
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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: CHARLES MICHAEL CLIFFORD, BPR #1544
CONTACT: ALAN D. JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
May 10, 2018
BLOUNT COUNTY LAWYER DISBARRED
On May 10, 2018, Charles Michael Clifford, of Maryville, Tennessee, was disbarred from the practice of
law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. As a condition of reinstatement, Mr. Clifford must submit to an
evaluation by the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program and conform to any monitoring agreements deemed
necessary. The disbarment begins on May 10, 2018. Mr. Clifford must pay the Boardâs costs and expenses and
the court costs within ninety days of the entry of the Order of Enforcement.
In his representation of clients in a personal injury auto accident claim, Mr. Clifford failed to provide
opposing counsel with his clientâs authorization for release of records relevant to injuries sustained as promised
and as ordered by the court. In addition, Mr. Clifford and his clients failed to appear at a Motion for Pre-Trial
Conference and failed to appear for scheduled depositions. After opposing counsel filed a Motion to Dismiss,
Mr. Clifford filed a Notice of Voluntary Nonsuit with a proposed Order before the Motion could be heard. Mr.
Cliffordâs clients were not included on the certificate of service nor updated about the status of the case. The
clients were unable to contact Mr. Clifford which ultimately contributed to the clientsâ statute of limitations for
re-filing expiring. Mr. Clifford did not respond to this complaint.
Mr. Cliffordâs ethical misconduct violates Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, Scope of Representation;
1.3, Diligence; 1.4, Communications; 3.2, Expediting Litigation; 8.1(b), Disciplinary Matters; 8.4(d), Conduct
Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice; and 8.4(a), Violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Mr. Clifford was previously suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court on March 10, 2017, and has
not been reinstated from this suspension.
Mr. Clifford must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and
30, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.
Clifford 2737-2 rel.doc