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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
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: ROBERT HARRIS GOLDER, BPR #034911
CONTACT: JAMES W. MILAM
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
June 8, 2023
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
Effective June 8, 2023, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended Robert Harris Golder from the practice of law
for two (2) years, with three (3) months being an active suspension pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section
12.2, and the remainder served on probation conditioned upon engagement of a practice monitor, payment of Board costs,
and payment of restitution. The disciplinary action involved three (3) separate complaints.
In the first disciplinary matter, Mr. Golder failed to render competent representation, failed to consult with the
client about how best to achieve the clientâs objectives, failed to reasonably expedite the litigation, failed to reasonably
respond to requests from the client regarding the status of the case, failed to deposit unearned fees in his trust account,
willfully ignored court orders, and failed to comply with the local rules of court regarding federal habeas corpus petitions.
In the second disciplinary matters, Mr. Golder failed to reasonably expedite the clientâs habeas corpus petition
and failed to file an amended petition on behalf of his client.
In the third disciplinary matter, Mr. Golder and co-counsel were retained to prosecute a habeas corpus action in
the Northern District of Mississippi. Mr. Golder, appearing pro hac vice, signed co-counsel and local counselâs name to
the petition without obtaining the âwet signatureâ of local counsel, in violation of the local rules of court. Mr. Golder also
failed to inform his client that the application for pro hac vice admission of co-counsel had been denied by the court.
The Hearing Panel found the conduct of Mr. Golder violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1
(competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.15 (safekeeping funds and property), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.4
(c) (fairness to opposing party and counsel), and 8.4(a) (misconduct).
Mr. Golder must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30.4,
regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.
Golder 3209-7 rel.doc