BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2004)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference. The original PDF remains the official record for legal purposes.
Need help? Please use the Assistance Request Form below.
Original PDF Document
Download Official Record (edwards-1340-rel.pdf)
Alternative Accessible HTML
Accessible Alternative: This HTML version is an automatically processed accessible alternative. While it provides a searchable format, the text extraction may contain formatting or character errors. The original PDF remains the authoritative official record.
Need a different format? Use the Request Assistance Form.
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
LANCE B. BRACY WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL 1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 CHARLES A. HIGH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 SANDY GARRETT
LAURA L. CHASTAIN TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 JESSE D. JOSEPH
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
(800) 486-5714 JAMES A. VICK
FAX: (615) 367-2480 THERESA M. COSTONIS
BEVERLY P. SHARPE DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
CONSUMER COUNSEL DIRECTOR E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: MICHAEL W. EDWARDS, BPR #2721
CONTACT: SANDY GARRETT
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
February 26, 2004
HENDERSONVILLE ATTORNEY CENSURED
On October 11, 2002, the Board of Professional Responsibility filed formal disciplinary charges
against Michael W. Edwards, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, based on two complaints. On
November 14, 2003, a Hearing Panel appointed by the Supreme Court issued its Findings and
Recommendations recommending Edwards receive a Public Censure; requiring Edwards to
utilize a written employment agreement for each client; requiring Edwards to attend a minimum
of six hours Continuing Legal Education, and requiring Edwards to satisfactorily complete an
Anger Management Course approved by the Board. Edwards was given notice of the Hearing
Panelâs Findings and Recommendations and did not appeal.
Regarding the first complaint, the Hearing Panel found Edwards violated DR 1-102(A)(1) and
(5), and DR 7-105(A) by conveying to a client a threatening note for the purpose of seeking
additional payment for services provided. There was no written employment agreement setting
forth the terms of representation between Edwards and the client. Regarding the second
complaint, the Hearing Panel found Edwards violated DR 1-102(A)(1) and (5) and DR 2-
110(A)(2) by Edwards failing to adequately and properly protect his client as a sequence of
Edwardsâ withdrawal which resulted in the client being harmed. The conditional censure
declares Edwardsâ actions to be improper ethical conduct, but does not limit Edwardsâ right to
practice law.
SG:mw
Edwards 1340 rel.doc