BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2016)
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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: BILLY J. REED, BPR #5644
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
February 3, 2016
KNOX COUNTY LAWYER DISBARRED
On February 2, 2016, Billy J. Reed, formerly of Knoxville, Tennessee, was disbarred from the practice
of law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court and ordered to make restitution to two former clients. The
order is effective upon entry. Mr. Reed must pay the Boardâs costs and expenses and the court costs within
ninety (90) days of the entry of the Order of Enforcement.
A Petition for Discipline was filed against Mr. Reed consisting of two (2) complaints alleging Mr. Reed
accepted fees but performed no material legal services, made material misrepresentations to his clients and
abandoned his practice. In the first matter, Mr. Reed accepted $15,000 to represent a client in a will contest.
Over the course of four years, Mr. Reed did little legal work, failed to communicate, and failed to appear at the
trial. After being terminated by the client, Mr. Reed failed to refund unearned fees. In the second complaint,
Mr. Reed accepted a $1,500 fee to file an emergency child custody proceeding. Mr. Reed never filed the
emergency petition, failed to reasonably communicate with his client, misrepresented the petition had been filed
and fraudulently required the client to reimburse him $200 for filing fees. Mr. Reed abandoned his clients and
his practice without proper or sufficient notice to his clients and failed to respond to the Petition for Discipline
or appear at trial.
Mr. Reedâs conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication);
1.16(d) (declining and terminating representation); 3.2 (expediting litigation); 8.1(b) (bar admission and
disciplinary matters); and 8.4 (a), (c), and (d) (misconduct).
Mr. Reed must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30,
regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.
Reed 2454-2 rel.doc