Chapman951 rel.PDF (2002)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
LANCE B. BRACY WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL 1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 CHARLES A. HIGH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 SANDY GARRETT
LAURA L. CHASTAIN
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 JESSE D. JOSEPH
(800) 486-5714 JAMES A. VICK
BEVERLY P. SHARPE FAX: (615) 367- 2480 THERESA M. COSTONIS
CONSUMER COUNSEL/DIRECTOR E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: MARK EDWARD CHAPMAN, BPR NO. 15397
CONTACT: JAMES A. VICK
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
May 10, 2002
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF NASHVILLE LAWYER DISSOLVED
An Order of the Supreme Court entered May 6, 2002, dissolved the temporary suspension
imposed upon Mark Edward Chapman by Order of Temporary Suspension entered February 11,
1997. The February 11, 1997, Order was entered because Mr. Chapman had failed to respond to
inquiries regarding complaints of neglect filed with the Board of Professional Responsibility and
posed a threat of irreparable harm to the public. By Order of the Supreme Court entered December
6, 1996, Mr. Chapman had been suspended from the practice of law for failure to comply with the
requirements for mandatory Continuing Legal Education. By Agreed Order entered by the Supreme
Court on April 22, 1998, Mr. Chapman was placed on disability inactive status due to his suffering
from depression. Mr. Chapman filed a Petition for Reinstatement to Active Status on October 27,
2000, supported by medical records. A psychiatric examination of Mr. Chapman concluded that
Mr. Chapman no longer suffered from the condition which had rendered him disabled. Mr.
Chapman entered into a contract with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) on
September 6, 2001. By Order of the Supreme Court entered October 29, 2001, Mr. Chapman was
removed from disability inactive status. Mr. Chapman filed a Petition for Dissolution of Temporary
Order of Suspension on March 14, 2002. A hearing was conducted before a Hearing Panel of the
Board of Professional Responsibility on April 15, 2002.
The Hearing Panel concluded that Mr. Chapman no longer suffers from the condition which
rendered him disabled and does not now present a threat of irreparable harm to the public. Due to
the circumstances and period of time which Mr. Chapman had not been engaged in the practice of
law, the Hearing Panel recommended that the temporary suspension be dissolved subject to
conditions:
1. That Mr. Chapman re-commence his practice of law in a group or
association with other attorneys.
2. That Mr. Chapman extend his contract with TLAP for an additional five
years.
3. That an individual identified by TLAP continue as Mr. Chapman's peer
monitor and that the peer monitor determine within six-months whether Mr.
Chapman is in need of any continuing aftercare.
4. That Mr. Chapman continue in an accountability group identified by TLAP.
5. That Mr. Chapman enter into a contract with an independent practice
monitor with whom Mr. Chapman must initially make at least weekly
contact and who will furnish monthly reports to the Board of Professional
Responsibility.
6. That all cost of the conditions be borne by Mr. Chapman.
7. That the costs of the temporary suspension and the hearing be borne by Mr.
Chapman.
Mr. Chapman provided contracts which he entered into with TLAP and a practice monitor
on April 23, 2002, as required by the Hearing Panel. The May 6, 2002, Order of the Supreme Court
dissolved the temporary suspension subject to the conditions recommended by the Hearing Panel.