BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2013)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference.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 (collins-2192-6-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
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 SCOTT COLLINS, BPR #19065
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 12, 2013
SUMNER COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On December 10, 2013, Michael Scott Collins, of Sumner County, Tennessee, was suspended from the practice of
law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for three (3) years. Pursuant to the Order of Enforcement, Mr. Collins
shall contact Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP), pay restitution to two (2) former clients, and pay the cost
and expense of the disciplinary proceedings. Payment of restitution and contact with TLAP as required are conditions
precedent to Mr. Collinsâ reinstatement to the practice of law.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against Mr. Collins on February 26, 2013.
A Hearing Panel determined that Mr. Collins received a $27,500.00 retainer fee to represent a client in a post-divorce
criminal contempt proceeding and failed to deposit the retainer into his trust account. Mr. Collins was also retained by the
clientâs relative to recover certain personal property. The Panel determined Mr. Collins failed to provide agreed upon
legal services to his clients, failed to communicate timely with his clients regarding the status of their respective cases and
misled his clients regarding the status and progress of their respective cases. The Panel found the retainer fees charged by
Mr. Collins were unreasonable. In addition, the Hearing Panel specifically found Mr. Collins charged the client
$10,000.00 to become a member of his âprofessional familyâ and that said charge was unrelated to any legal services and
constituted an improper and unreasonable fee.
Mr. Collinsâ actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 (scope of representation), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4
(communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.15 (safekeeping property and funds), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 8.1 (disciplinary matters),
and 8.4(a) and (d) (misconduct).
Mr. Collins must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 18 and 19,
regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and satisfy all continuing legal education
requirements prior to reinstatement.
Collins 2192-6 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