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
December 18, 2006
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
STUART W. FIELDS, BPR NO. 17354
CONTACT: CHARLES A. HIGH, DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
(615) 695-0929
NASHVILLE LAWYER DISBARRED
On December 12, 2006, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an order disbarring Stuart W. Fields
from the practice of law. Previously, the Supreme Court temporarily suspended Mr. Fieldsâ right to practice for
misappropriation of funds of his client to his own use.
A petition for discipline involving three disciplinary complaints was filed on March 22, 2004. A
supplemental petition for discipline involving two disciplinary complaints was filed on August 9, 2005. A
motion for default judgment was filed on March 13, 2006, and an order granting default judgment on both
petitions was entered on June 19, 2006.
A hearing on the discipline to be imposed was scheduled and noticed for August 10, 2006. The hearing
was conducted at that date but respondent did not appear. On August 29, 2006, the hearing panel entered a
judgment recommending disbarment.
The hearing panel found that respondent settled a legal matter without his clientâs consent and
participated in forging the clientâs name to the settlement check and retaining the proceeds. Respondent also
issued a worthless check on his trust account to pay a loan. Respondent also received fees from clients and
failed to do any work for the clients. Respondent missed three court dates and was late for two others on a case
to terminate his clientâs parental rights. Respondent had been paid to represent the client. Respondent entered
an agreement with another client that he would pay medical bills incurred by the client and failed to do so.
Neither party appealed the judgment of the hearing panel and it is now final.
Based upon the hearing panelâs recommendation the Supreme Court entered an order of disbarment. A
disbarred attorney may not apply for reinstatement for at least five years after the effective date of disbarment.
An attorney petitioning for reinstatement after disbarment must have a hearing before a hearing panel of the
Board of Professional Responsibility. After the hearing, the hearing panel makes a written report to the
Supreme Court recommending for or against reinstatement. The attorney shall be reinstated only by order of
the Supreme Court. The burden of proof requires that an attorney applying for reinstatement show by clear and
convincing evidence that the attorney has the moral qualifications, competency and learning in the law to
practice law in this state and that resumption of practice will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of
the bar or the administration of justice, or subversive to the public interest.
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Fields 1430-5 rel.doc