BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2008)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference.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 (cartwright-1619-1671-8-rel.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: RICHARD D. CARTWRIGHT, #11242
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 26, 2008
COVINGTON LAWYER SUSPENDED
On November 25, 2008, Richard D. Cartwright, of Covington, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice of law
for a total of three years with the first year served as an active suspension followed by two years of probation. Mr.
Cartwright must pay restitution to three complainants. Further, he must remain in compliance with the Tennessee
Lawyers Assistance Program throughout the suspension and probationary periods. The suspension shall become effective
on December 5, 2008.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed two Petitions for Discipline against Mr. Cartwright pursuant to
Rule 9 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Mr. Cartwright entered a Conditional Guilty Plea which was
accepted and approved by a Hearing Panel. Mr. Cartwright represented his wife in a lawsuit in which he failed to respond
to multiple discovery requests resulting in discovery sanctions and a judgment against Mr. Cartwright. A summary
judgment was also granted against Mr. Cartwrightâs client due to his failure to file a response to the summary judgment or
appear at the final hearing. Further, Mr. Cartwright failed to timely prepare pleadings for a client after taking a fee to do
so. Mr. Cartwright failed to respond to his clientâs inquiries in a timely manner, mailed incorrect paperwork to opposing
counsel, and failed to complete an adoption by the date agreed upon when he was retained by the client. Lastly, Mr.
Cartwright failed to competently represent a client in a bankruptcy matter by filing the wrong pleading. Mr. Cartwright
also misplaced a money order provided by the client to pay the trustee and the clientâs case was thereafter dismissed for
failure to pay.
Mr. Cartwrightâs actions violate the following Disciplinary Rules and Rules of Professional Conduct: DR 1-102,
Misconduct; DR 5-101, Refusing Employment When Interests of Lawyer May Impair Independent Professional
Judgment; DR 6-101, Failing to Act Competently; DR 7-101, Representing a Client Zealously; DR 7-102, Representing a
Client Within the Bounds of the Law; DR 9-102, Preserving the Identity of Funds of the Client; RPC 1.3, Diligence; 1.4,
Communication; 1.7, Conflict of Interest – General Rule; 1.15, Safekeeping Property; 3.1, Meritorious Claims and
Contentions; 3.4, Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel; 4.4, Respect for the Rights of Third Persons; 5.1,
Responsibilities of a Partner, Managing Lawyer or Supervisory Lawyer; and 8.4, Misconduct.
Mr. Cartwright must comply with Section 18 of Rule 9, Rules of the Supreme Court, regarding the obligations
and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Cartwright 1619-1671-8 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