BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2024)
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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
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JAY NELSON CHAMNESS, BPR #016027
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
April 17, 2024
WILLIAMSON_COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On April 17, 2024, Jay Nelson Chamness, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Chamness represented a plaintiff asserting employment discrimination in a case filed in the United
States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Over the course of 11 months, Mr. Chamness made
at least four false statements to opposing counsel about personal circumstances for which he needed extensions
of time. In the last instance, Mr. Chamness asked to reschedule depositions because his mother had died, and
he prepared a draft âMotion for Extension of Discovery Deadlineâ in which he stated he needed the extension
because his mother had died. Mr. Chamness sent this motion to opposing counsel for approval. Opposing
counsel hired a private investigator who discovered that Mr. Chamnessâs mother had not died. Mr. Chamness
then admitted his conduct to opposing counsel.
By these acts, Jay Nelson Chamness has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 4.1 (truthfulness in
statements to others), 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty) and 8.4(a) (misconduct) 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.
Chamness 69298-6 rel.doc