BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2009)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference.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 (dewees-31400-7-rel633688498180942951.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
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: WAYNE T. DEWEES, BPR #5221
CONTACT: JAMES A. VICK
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 28, 2009
BOLIVAR LAWYER CENSURED
On January 26, 2009, Wayne T. DeWees, of Bolivar, Tennessee, received a Public Censure from the
Board of Professional Responsibility.
On April 25, 2005, an ex parte hearing was conducted in Hardeman Chancery Court on a Petition for
Adoption. Respondent knew about a conservatorship proceeding pending in Shelby County at the time of this
hearing. The Chancellor presiding over the adoption hearing was not advised of the conservatorship action, nor
that there was any question regarding Respondentâs clientâs competency. The court entered a Final Order of
Adoption on April 25, 2005. By Order filed May 8, 2006, the Shelby Probate Court found that Respondentâs
client was disabled and appointed a conservator. By order filed November 14, 2008, the Hardeman Chancery
Court set the adoption aside because the Respondent had failed to disclose material facts that a petition to
appoint a conservator for his client was pending and that his clientâs competency was at issue at the time of the
adoption. The Respondentâs conduct was in violation of Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3(a) by failing to
advise the Chancery Court of Hardeman County of material facts known to the Respondent that would enable
the court to make an informed decision regarding the adoption.
For these violations, the Board of Professional Responsibility publicly censures Wayne T. DeWees. A
Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to practice
law.
DeWees 31400-7 rel.doc
PLEASE NOTE
YOU MAY SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE INFORMATIONAL RELEASES, FORMAL ETHICS
OPINIONS, NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS ELECTRONICALLY BY SIGNING IN AT
THE BOARDâS WEBSITE
www.tbpr.org/Subscriptions