BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2008)
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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: DARREN T. COLE, BPR # 25816
CONTACT: KIMBRA SPANN
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 10, 2008
COLUMBIA LAWYER CENSURED
On December 9, 2008, Darren T. Cole, of Columbia, Tennessee, received a Public Censure from the
Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
On September 27, 2007, General Sessions Judge James Y. Ross, Sr. signed a Writ of Possession brought
by Peoples Bank as to Mr. Coleâs client, Robert Williams. Judge Ross also signed an arrest warrant as to Mr.
Williams. On October 3, 2007, the secretary for Judge Ross, Sandra Butler, received an angry call from Mr.
Darren Cole. Judge Ross was not in the office when he called. The call was made without the presence of or
notice to opposing counsel. According to Ms. Butler, Mr. Cole asked her to tell Judge Ross that he must recuse
himself immediately and order the return of the property covered by the writ. Mr. Cole indicated he would sue
Judge Ross if Judge Ross did not do this. Judge Ross thereafter called Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole threatened Judge
Ross with ethics complaints and lawsuits if he did not âremedy the problem.â Meanwhile, Mr. Cole
commenced negotiations with the opposing attorney and offered to settle the case. Mr. Cole stated in his
settlement offer that â[m]y client will not file the prepared disciplinary complaint against Judge James Rossâ if
opposing client agreed to his settlement offer. Mr. Cole has therefore violated RPC 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5, Rule
8, Rules of the Supreme Court.
For these violations, the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee
publicly censured Darren T. Cole. A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not
affect the attorneyâs ability to practice law.
Cole 30729-6 rel.doc
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