Moore 1190 rel.PDF (2002)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 CHARLES A. HIGH
LANCE B. BRACY TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 SANDY GARRETT
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL (800) 486-5714 JESSE D. JOSEPH
FAX: (615) 367-2480 JAMES A. VICK
LAURA L. CHASTAIN E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org THERESA M. COSTONIS
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: STEVEN M. MOORE, BPR NO. 14651
CONTACT: CHARLES A. HIGH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 21, 2002
NASHVILLE LAWYER DISBARRED
Steven M. Moore, a Nashville lawyer, has been disbarred by order of the Supreme Court entered on
January 15, 2002. Moore represented a client on an insurance claim and obtained a $5,000.00 settlement. The
attorney signed his clientâs name to the $5,000.00 check without permission or authority and deposited the check in
his attorney trust account.
Moore and the client had agreed that Moore would handle the claim on a contingent fee basis for one third of
the amount obtained. Immediately after depositing the $5,000.00 check in his trust account Moore withdrew
$4,000.00 for his personal use.
Moore sent his client a check for $1,000.00 after his personal withdrawal. The client refused the check.
Moore claimed that he was owed additional fees for other matters in excess of $4,000.00. His client had informed
him that he disputed the additional fee. Subsequently, Mooreâs attorney trust account was overdrawn. The rules of
professional conduct required the attorney to hold disputed funds in the trust account pending resolution of the
dispute.
Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition for discipline pursuant to the Rules of the Supreme Court. Moore filed
no answer to the petition nor did he appear at the hearing in the matter. The hearing panel of the Board of
Professional Responsibility recommended disbarment of Moore unanimously. The hearing panel found that he had
engaged in conversion and theft of client funds and that he forged his clientâs name to a check. It was also found that
Moore made false statements to disciplinary counsel involving material facts. Moore was also found to have
committed trust account violations and to have engaged in conduct that was deceitful, dishonest and fraudulent.
A disbarred attorney may not apply for reinstatement to the bar for at least five years after disbarment. An
attorney petitioning for reinstatement must have a hearing before a hearing committee of the Board of Professional
Responsibility. The hearing committee makes a written report to the Supreme Court of Tennessee. The Supreme
Court has the sole discretion to order the reinstatement of a disciplined attorney.
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Moore 1190 rel.doc