BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2025)
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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: WILLIAM JEFFERSON CRANFORD, III, BPR #035492
CONTACT: MAUREEN F. HUGHES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 16, 2025
MADISON COUNTY (ALABAMA) LAWYER CENSURED
On December 16, 2025, William Jefferson Cranford, III, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Cranford represented a client in Federal Court in Alabama. Mr. Cranford drafted, signed, and
personally filed two motions on behalf of his client which included fabricated citations that were generated by
using Artificial Intelligence (AI). These citations were added by another attorney; however, Mr. Cranford had an
obligation to check the citations before signing the motions and filing them with the court. Mr. Cranford failed to
act with diligence and caused a delay in his clientâs case. In addition, Mr. Cranfordâs conduct was prejudicial to
the administration of justice.
By these acts, Mr. Cranford has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 3.2 (expediting
litigation), and 8.4 (misconduct), and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Cranford 101333-0 rel.doc