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: HAL WILKES WILKINS, BPR #17830
CONTACT: ALAN JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 29, 2015
DAVIDSON COUNTY LAWYER DISBARRED
On January 28, 2015, Hal Wilkes Wilkins, of Nashville, Tennessee, was disbarred from the practice of
law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Mr. Wilkins was previously disbarred in another case on July
22, 2014. Mr. Wilkins was ordered to pay restitution to a former client, or to the Lawyerâs Fund for Client
Protection, if appropriate, in the amount of $17,990.00. Finally, Mr. Wilkins must pay the Boardâs costs and
expenses.
A Petition for Discipline was filed on July 3, 2014, that included three (3) complaints of misconduct. In
one case, Mr. Wilkins informed his client that he had reached a settlement, but ceased communicating with the
client thereafter. His client retained another lawyer to complete the settlement on her behalf. In another case,
Mr. Wilkins agreed to represent his client on a contingency fee basis and did not enter into a written fee
agreement. After he filed the complaint, he ceased communicating with the client. In the third case, Mr.
Wilkins settled a personal injury case on behalf of his client in the amount of $30,000.00. He tendered a check
to his client in the amount of $12,100.00, and told her that he would use the remainder to pay her medical bills
and his fee. He did not provide his client with a settlement sheet and failed to pay the subrogation claims. In all
three cases, Mr. Wilkins abandoned his clients and did not inform them that he had been temporarily suspended
from the practice of law on December 2, 2013.
Mr. Wilkinsâ actions violated RPC 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.15 (safekeeping
property), 1.16(d) (declining or terminating representation), and 8.1(b) (bar admission and disciplinary matters).
By failing to notify his client, opposing counsel and the court of his temporary suspension, Mr. Wilkins violated
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18 (2006). Mr. Wilkins must comply with the requirements of
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18 (2006) and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 30.4
(2014), regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.
Wilkins 2335-5 rel.doc