Microsoft Word - ebb_56331015_1618152741_0 (2019)
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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: ANDREW EDWARD BATEMAN, BPR #34138
CONTACT: KEVIN D. BALKWILL
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 6, 2019
McMINN COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On November 5, 2019, Andrew Edward Bateman, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Bateman had a concurrent conflict of interest after agreeing to represent both husband and wife in a
step-parent adoption and, while such representation was ongoing, filing a divorce complaint on behalf of the
husband against the wife. Mr. Bateman was specifically instructed by wifeâs divorce counsel not to file an
adoption petition the wife had previously executed, but he nevertheless filed the petition with the court. Mr.
Bateman included language in the petition indicating it was unknown whether wife still consented to the
adoption proceeding even though Mr. Bateman had been informed that the wife had withdrawn her consent to
the adoption. Mr. Bateman also assisted the husband in ghostwriting pleadings in his divorce case after he had
withdrawn from the representation.
By these acts, Andrew Edward Bateman, has violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2 (scope of
representation), 1.7(a) (conflict of interest), 3.1 (meritorious claims), 3.3(a) (candor toward tribunal), 4.1
(truthfulness in statements to others), and 8.4(a)(c) and (d) (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.
Bateman 59912-3 rel.doc