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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: MICHAEL LEON HARRIS, BPR #030634
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 22, 2020
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On January 22, 2020, Michael Leon Harris, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Harris represented a homeowner in a detainer action by the mortgagor. After the detainer was
granted, Mr. Harris filed a petition for Chapter 13 bankruptcy for the client to stop the eviction. Mr. Harris,
however, made no further filings on the case, and it was dismissed by the court 17 days later. The mortgagor
then received another writ of possession, and Mr. Harris filed a second Chapter 13 bankruptcy for the client.
This second bankruptcy petition was dismissed by the court when Mr. Harris made no further filings. Mr.
Harris filed two additional bankruptcy petitions, each of which was dismissed after no subsequent filings. The
mortgagor eventually received relief from the court to execute on its writ of possession.
Mr. Harrisâ four bankruptcy filings for his client were not meritorious and were, instead, filed to
improperly stop execution on valid writs of execution. The filings were in violation of Rule 3.1 (meritorious
claims and contentions), and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice). Mr. Harris typed his clientâs
name as a âsignatureâ for each petition, without having the actual signature of his client for each petition, which
is a misrepresentation to the court in violation of Rule 3.3 (candor to the tribunal). Mr. Harris has failed to
respond to requests for information on this matter in violation of Rule 8.1 (disciplinary matters).
By these acts, Mr. Harris has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 3.1 (meritorious claims and
contentions), 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice), 3.3 (candor to the tribunal) and 8.1 (disciplinary
matters) and is hereby Publicly Censured for this conduct. A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the
attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to practice law.
Harris 60064-9 rel.doc