sallee-01062sc635737791681949176.pdf (2015)
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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-MAlL: ethlcs@tbpr.org
Webslte: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: YARBORO ANN SALLEE. BPR #16884
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 24,2015
KNOXVILLE LAWYER SUSPENDED
On July 23, 2015, Yarbcrc Ann Sallee, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice of law
for one (1) year by the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 18.5 (2006), Ms.
Salleeâs one (1) year suspension from the practice of law is effective ten (10) days after the entry of the order.
The Board of Professional Responsibility ï¬led a Petition for Discipline against Ms. Sallee based upon
two related complaints of misconduct. In the ï¬rst complaint, Ms. Sallee failed to keep her clients reasonably
informed about the signiï¬cant amount of fees and expenses being incurred, failed to adequately communicate
the legal services Ms. Sallee intended to provide, charged an unreasonable fee, and failed to promptly surrender
the papers and property of her clients after they terminated her representation. In the second complaint, Ms.
Sallee threatened to present a criminal charge against her former clients for the purpose of obtaining an
advantage in a civil matter.
A Hearing Panel found Ms. Salleeâs conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4
(Communication); 1.5 (Fees); 1.16 (Declining and Terminating Representation); 4.4 (Respect for the Rights of
Third Persons), and 8.4 (Misconduct) and recommended her license to practice law be suspended for one (1)
year. Ms. Sallee appealed the decision to the Chancery Court for Knox County, which afï¬rmed the Hearing
Panelâs decision. Ms. Sallee appealed the decision of the Knox County Chancery Court to the Supreme Court
of Tennessee. In its July 23, 2015 unanimous Opinion, authored by Justice Holly Kirby, the Supreme Court
held the ï¬ndings of fact and conclusions of law made by the Hearing Panel were supported by substantial and
material evidence and were neither arbitrary, capricious nor characterized by an abuse of discretion. The
Supreme Court further concluded that the misconduct of Ms. Sallee justiï¬ed the imposition of a one (1) year
suspension from the practice of law.
Ms. Sallee must pay court costs and the Boardâs costs and expenses in this matter.
Ms. Sallee must comply with Tenn. Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 18 (2006) and 30.4 (2014),
regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.
Sallee 2092â2 rcl.doc