curtis-73382-1-public-censure.pdf (2023)
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IN DISCIPLINARY DISTRICT I
OF THE
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
IN RE: Rickey A. W. Curtis, BPR No. 019761 FILE No. 73382-1-ES
Respondent, an attorney licensed
to practice law in Tennessee
(Sullivan County)
____________________________________________________________________________
PUBLIC CENSURE
____________________________________________________________________________
The above complaint was filed against Rickey A.W. Curtis, an attorney licensed to practice
law in Tennessee, alleging certain acts of misconduct. Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, the Board
of Professional Responsibility considered this matter at its meeting on June 9, 2023.
Mr. Curtis represented a client on an appeal of a criminal sentence. Mr. Curtis timely filed
an appeal of the conviction. After the appeal was filed, the client was charged with additional
felonies. Mr. Curtis negotiated a plea of the subsequent charges which included his clientâs
dismissal of the appeal of the first conviction.
There was a delay in the clientâs entry of the plea on the subsequent charges, and Mr. Curtis
failed to timely file the brief in support of the appeal of the first charges. The court sent Mr. Curtis
a notice and entered an order directing him to file his brief, and he did not respond to either. The
court then ordered Mr. Curtis to appear to explain his failure to file a brief. Mr. Curtis appeared
at the hearing and the court directed him to take additional action. Mr. Curtis complied with the
direction of the court, and the client eventually dismissed the appeal as planned.
By the aforementioned acts, Rickey A.W. Curtis is in violation of Rules of Professional
Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 3.4(c) (fairness to opposing party and counsel) and 8.4(d) (prejudice to
the administration of justice). and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations.
FOR THE BOARD OF
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
_______________________________
Jennifer S. Hagerman, Chair
July 7, 2023
_______________________________
Date
2