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: BARBARA S. FREEMON, BPR# 12078
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 10, 2013
NASHVILLE LAWYER SUSPENDED
On July 5, 2013, the law license of Barbara S. Freemon of Nashville, Tennessee, was suspended by the
Tennessee Supreme Court for a period of one (1) year pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section
4.2. Ms. Freemon was also ordered to pay restitution to a former client as a condition precedent to
reinstatement.
A Petition for Discipline was filed against Ms. Freemon on March 8, 2013, based upon two complaints.
The first complaint alleged that Ms. Freemon agreed to serve as trustee for an inter vivos trust set up to manage
her brotherâs assets. Upon the death of her brother, Ms. Freemon did not return the trust assets to the named
beneficiaries. The second complaint alleged that Ms. Freemon accepted a non-refundable fee to represent
clients in a codes dispute, promising to file an action within 45 days. Ms. Freemon failed to prepare the written
retainer agreement required when accepting a non-refundable fee. Ms. Freemon made several representations to
her clients that she was preparing a petition but never prepared or filed any action on their behalf. Despite her
failure to perform she refused to refund the full fee to the clients. Ms. Freemon also failed to respond to the
Board. Ms. Freemon entered into a Conditional Guilty Plea admitting to the misconduct.
By these acts, Barbara S. Freemon has violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1
(communication), 1.2 (scope of representation), 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.15 (safekeeping property and
funds), 8.1 (bar and disciplinary matters), and 8.4(a) (misconduct).
Ms. Freemon was further ordered to pay the expenses and costs of the disciplinary proceedings against
her pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 24.3, and fully comply in all respects with the
requirements and obligations of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement as set forth in Rule 9,
Sections 18 and 19.
Freemon 2194-5 rel.doc
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