BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2015)
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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
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JOHN JAY CLARK, BPR #24360
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 1, 2015
WILLIAMSON COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended the law license of John Jay Clark
of Franklin, Tennessee, for four (4) years and ordered Mr. Clark to pay the Boardâs costs and expenses.
The effective date of the Supreme Courtâs Order is June 26, 2015.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against John Jay Clark
on November 19, 2014, and a Supplemental Petition for Discipline on March 23, 2015, based upon
four (4) complaints of misconduct. Mr. Clark failed to remit $24,000.00 in attorneyâs fees to the law
firm at which he was employed; altered a verification from a pleading to make it appear the document
was executed on a later date; notarized the verification and filed the pleading with the Juvenile Court
without the knowledge or consent of his client. Mr. Clark attempted to visit clients in jail on at least
twenty-nine (29) occasions while his license to practice law was suspended for non-compliance with
CLE requirements. In mitigation, Mr. Clark fully reimbursed his former law firm for the fees and
cooperated with the Board in the disciplinary proceedings. In addition, Mr. Clark experienced a
significant personal loss.
Mr. Clark entered a conditional guilty plea, approved by a Hearing Panel for the Board, the
Board and the Supreme Court, admitting he violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(a),
(b) and (d) (safekeeping of property and funds); 3.3(a)(1) (candor toward the tribunal); 5.5(a) and (b)
(unauthorized practice of law) and 8.4(a) (c) and (d) (misconduct).
Mr. Clark must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 28
(2014) and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 30.4 (2014), regarding the obligations and
responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Clark 2400-6 rel.doc