BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2011)
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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: THOMAS WOOD SMITH, BPR# 6340
CONTACT: ELIZABETH C. GARBER
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
February 3, 2011
GREENE COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On February 2, 2011, Thomas Wood Smith, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Smith was retained to represent a client in a property dispute. Mr. Smith filed a complaint on his
clientâs behalf. Thereafter, Mr. Smith failed to reasonably communicate with his client or promptly pursue
the matter. Over two years after the complaint was filed, Mr. Smith represented his client during a mediation
of the property dispute and agreed to draft the resulting partnership agreement which would govern the sale of
the property. Mr. Smith failed to draft the agreement. Seven months after the mediation, the client
discharged Mr. Smith; afterwards Mr. Smith failed to promptly return the clientâs deeds, plats, and surveys.
In a related matter, Mr. Smith agreed to file an objection to the appointment of his clientâs sibling as
the executrix of their motherâs estate. Mr. Smith failed to promptly pursue this matter and failed to
reasonably communicate with his client regarding this matter.
By the aforementioned acts, Thomas Wood Smith has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3
(diligence and promptness), 1.4 (communication), and 1.16(d) (returning property of client) and is hereby
Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability
to practice law.
Smith 32355c-1-KS rel.doc.
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