BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2009)
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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
RE: ROBERT PHILLIP RAYBURN, SR., BPR# 6557
CONTACT: RANDALL J. SPIVEY
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 7, 2009
CHATTANOOGA LAWYER DISBARRED
On December 1, 2009, Robert Philip Rayburn, Sr. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was disbarred by the
Tennessee Supreme Court pursuant to Rule 9, Section 4.1, of the Rules of the Supreme Court. The Supreme
Court affirmed the ruling of a Hearing Panel after a hearing on three Petitions for Discipline filed against Mr.
Rayburn by the Board of Professional Responsibility.
Mr. Rayburn violated disciplinary rules by knowingly and repeatedly depriving his clients of funds to
which they were entitled, commingling his clientâs settlement proceeds with his own personal funds, and failing
to be forthcoming with his clients as to when the funds owed them would be paid. The Supreme Court also
affirmed the Hearing Panelâs ruling that Mr. Rayburn pay restitution in the amount of $46,829.24 to a former
client. Mr. Rayburnâs actions violated Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 8, Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1
(Competence), 1.2(a) (Scope of the Representation and the Allocation of Authority Between the Lawyer and
Client), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4 (Communication), 1.15 (a)-(c) (Safekeeping Property), 1.16(d) (Declining and
Terminating Representation) and 8.4(a)-(d) (Misconduct).
Mr. Rayburn was furthered ordered to pay the expenses and costs of the disciplinary proceedings against
him, pursuant to Rule 9, Section 4.7, of the Rules of the Supreme Court and fully comply in all respects with the
requirements and obligations of disbarred attorneys as set forth in Rule 9, Section 18.1 of the Rules of the
Supreme Court.
Rayburn 1603-3 rel.doc
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