Russell 1359 rel.PDF (2004)
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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 TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 JESSE D. JOSEPH
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
(800) 486-5714 JAMES A. VICK
FAX: (615) 367- 2480 THERESA M. COSTONIS
BEVERLY P. SHARPE
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
CONSUMER COUNSEL DIRECTOR
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: WILLIAM MARK RUSSELL, NO. 11666
CONTACT: JAMES A. VICK
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
January 8, 2004
SHELBYVILLE LAWYER SUSPENDED BY SUPREME COURT
By Order of the Supreme Court filed December 30, 2003, William Mark Russell of Shelbyville was suspended
from the practice of law for one year effective October 1, 2003. Mr. Russell had previously been temporarily
suspended from the practice of law on October 28, 2002, for failure to respond to complaints of misconduct.
A Petition for Discipline was filed by the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of
Tennessee against Mr. Russell on February 6, 2003, alleging that Mr. Russell failed to properly and timely appear and
represent his clients. When Mr. Russell failed to respond to the Petition, a Motion for Default Judgment and That
Allegations Contained in Petition for Discipline Be Deemed Admitted was granted against Mr. Russell on July 11,
2003. A hearing on the Petition for Discipline was conducted before a Hearing Panel of the Board of Professional
Responsibility on October 1, 2003. Mr. Russell did not appear. The Hearing Panel found that Mr. Russell violated the
rules of professional conduct in that he failed to handle legal matters with the preparation necessary, neglected legal
matters entrusted to him, failed to represent clients with reasonable diligence and promptness, failed to keep clients
reasonably informed about the status of their cases to the extent necessary to make informed decisions, failed to
properly withdraw from representation, and intentionally violated established rules of procedure. The Hearing Panel
found that Mr. Russell should be suspended from the practice of law for one year effective October 1, 2003, and
placed conditions upon Mr. Russell's reinstatement.
The suspension will remain in effect until an Order of Reinstatement, if any, is issued by the Tennessee
Supreme Court. Reinstatement would be granted only if Mr. Russell demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence
that he has the moral qualifications, competency, and learning required for admission to the practice of law and that his
resumption of practice would not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or administration of justice or
subversive to the public interest.
The Order requires Mr. Russell to pay the cost of the disciplinary proceeding as a condition to being reinstated
to the practice of law.