BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2006)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
CYNTHIA N. ASBURY PODIS, BPR #16832
CONTACT: CHARLES A. HIGH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500 ext. 203
October 25, 2005
DAVIDSON COUNTY ATTORNEY SUSPENDED FROM PRACTICE OF LAW
Cynthia N. Asbury Podis, a Nashville lawyer, was suspended from the practice of law by
order of the Tennessee Supreme Court entered on October 20, 2005. The suspension is for a
term of six (6) months from the entry of the order.
The suspension was the result of a conditional guilty plea submitted by Ms. Podis and
approved by the Board of Professional Responsibility. The conditional guilty plea and the
courtâs order provide that Ms. Podis shall be on probation for a period of one (1) year. During
the probationary period, Ms. Podis shall be monitored by a licensed attorney, James A. Flexer, of
the Nashville bar. Ms. Podis shall meet face to face with the practice monitor once every two (2)
weeks during the probationary period. In the event Ms. Podis establishes a trust account during
that period she must have a co-signer for any disbursements from the account. Ms. Podis shall
not issue any checks on the trust account during that period without the actual co-signature of the
designee. The co-signer may be the practice monitor or another attorney approved by
disciplinary counsel.
During the probationary period Ms. Podis shall complete eight (8) hours of continuing
legal education on law practice management. She shall pay the costs and expenses of the
disciplinary proceeding prior to reinstatement.
The practice monitor agrees to report any violation of the conditions of probation to
disciplinary counsel. Ms. Podis shall be given written notice of any allegation of noncompliance
with probationary responsibilities and afforded a hearing before a hearing panel appointed by the
Board of Professional Responsibility.
The conditional guilty plea was based on violations of DR 6-101(A)(2) and (3), failure to
prepare legal matters and neglect of legal matters, and DR 7-101(A)(1)(2) and (3), failure to act
with diligence and failure to communicate with clients.
In mitigation of the misconduct Ms. Podis made restitution to three former clients and she
sought medical treatment. She has not practiced law since August 30, 2002, as a result of a
temporary suspension. Ms. Podis shall be reinstated to the practice of law automatically on April
20, 2006, subject to the ordered probation.
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Podis 1512-5 rel.doc