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: JAMES D. R. ROBERTS, JR., BPR #17537
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
March 8, 2016
DAVIDSON COUNTY ATTORNEY SUSPENDED
On March 8, 2016, James D. R. Roberts, Jr., of Nashville, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice
of law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for a period of six (6) months. Mr. Roberts was also ordered
to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings to the Board and to the Court. The suspension shall begin on
March 18, 2016.
On March 9, 2009, the Board of Professional Responsibility (âBoardâ) filed a Petition for Discipline
against Mr. Roberts alleging that he gave false testimony while testifying before the Davidson County Chancery
Court. The complaint arises from Mr. Robertsâ representation of a client in a declaratory judgment action
involving a family company and Mr. Robertsâ attempts to stop the sale of company stock. Mr. Roberts made
several efforts to stop the sale, including a plan to use a friend to assert an interest in the sale. When opposing
counsel sought a finding of contempt against Mr. Roberts for his efforts to interfere with the sale, Mr. Roberts
falsely testified about his role in the plan to stop the sale.
A hearing panel determined that Mr. Robertsâ conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3(a)(1)
and (b), Candor Toward the Tribunal; 4.4(a), Respect for the Rights of Third Persons; and 8.4(a)(c) and (d),
Misconduct. Mr. Roberts filed an appeal on October 21, 2011. The decision of the hearing panel was affirmed.
Mr. Roberts sought further appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court; however, the appeal was dismissed on
January 26, 2016 as untimely.
Mr. Roberts must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18 (2006)
regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys. Mr. Roberts must comply with the
requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 30.4 (2014) regarding the procedure for
reinstatement.
Roberts 1807-5 rel.doc