BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2012)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference. The original PDF remains the official record for legal purposes.
Need help? Please use the Assistance Request Form below.
Original PDF Document
Download Official Record (betserai-1866-9-rel.pdf)
Alternative Accessible HTML
Accessible Alternative: This HTML version is an automatically processed accessible alternative. While it provides a searchable format, the text extraction may contain formatting or character errors. The original PDF remains the authoritative official record.
Need a different format? Use the Request Assistance Form.
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
MICHELLE L. BETSERAI, BPR# 019968
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 20, 2012
MEMPHIS LAWYER SUSPENDED
On July 18, 2012, Michelle L. Betserai, of Memphis, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice of law
by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for two (2) years. She was further ordered to pay restitution to four
(4) complainants and costs to the Board of Professional Responsibility.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline on November 30, 2009
containing four complaints of misconduct. A Supplemental Petition for Discipline was filed on October 3, 2011
containing one complaint of misconduct. Ms. Betserai failed to diligently represent her clients by failing to file
pleadings in a timely manner which resulted in adverse outcomes for her clients. Ms. Betserai failed to enter a
final decree after a divorce hearing and the case was later dismissed for lack of prosecution. Ms. Betserai
promised to file a motion to set aside the dismissal but she failed to do so. In other cases, Ms. Betserai failed to
file an answer to a counter-complaint in a divorce and a default judgment was taken against her client. Ms.
Betserai also abandoned her practice by moving out of state without completing or handling pending matters for
clients. Finally, Ms. Betserai made misrepresentations during testimony as an expert witness about belonging to
a bar association and about her level of participation in an appeal.
Her actions violate the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.1, Competence; 1.3, Diligence; 1.4,
Communication; 1.5(a) and (b), Fees; 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.
Ms. Betserai must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 18 and
19, should she seek reinstatement of her Tennessee law license and she may not resume practice until reinstated
by further order of the Court.
Betserai 1866-9 rel.doc
PLEASE NOTE
YOU MAY SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE INFORMATIONAL RELEASES, FORMAL ETHICS
OPINIONS, NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS ELECTRONICALLY BY SIGNING IN AT
THE BOARDâS WEBSITE
www.tbpr.org/Subscriptions