chapman-35450-5-public-censure.pdf (2013)
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1N DISCIPLJNARY DISTRICT V
OF THE
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
IN RE: MARK EDWARD CHAPMAâN, BPR No.15397 FILE NO. 35450-538
Respondent, an attorney licensed
to practice law in Tennessee
(Davidson County)
PUBLIC CENSURE
The elastic complaint was ï¬led against Mark Edward Chapman, an attomey licensed to
practice law in Tennessee, alleging certain acts of misconduct. Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9,
ï¬re Board of Professional Responsibility considered these matters at its meeting on December
14, 2012.
Respondent instructed a persiegai to attend a mediation with a client at which the
opposing party was represented by counsel. Opposing counsel and the two mediators believed
that the paralegal was an attorney. The paralegal engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by
signing the Agreement to Mediate and the Connnunity Mediation Status Agreement Form, which
was filed with the court, With his own name; by negotiating with opposing counsel and the
mediators Without the clients present; and by agreeing to resolve some issues on behalf of the
client. Respondent is responsible for this improper conduct ofthe paralegal.
Further, Respondent failed to provide diligent representation of his client at the mediation
when the other party was represented by counsel and issues in the case were resolved.
Mark Edward Chapman
December 19. 2012
Page 2
By the aforementioned acts, Maxk Edward Chapman has violated Rules of Professional
Conduct 5.3 (responsibilities regarding non~1aWyer assistants) and 1.3 (diligence) and is hereby
Publicly Censored for these violations.
FOR THE BOARD OF
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
.4:
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Lela ollabaugh, Chail . ~,
' I
Date