BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2015)
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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: DARREN T. COLE, BPR #25816
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
February 5, 2015
FORMER MAURY COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On February 3, 2015, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an order suspending Darren T. Cole of
St. George, Utah, for three (3) years. Mr. Cole formerly maintained an office in Maury County, Tennessee.
Mr. Cole was further ordered to pay the costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceeding against him.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against Mr. Cole based upon
four (4) complaints of misconduct. In the first matter, Mr. Cole failed to account to his client for work
performed and expenses incurred and used his trust account to pay personal expenses. In the second matter, Mr.
Cole advised his client he was moving to California, and over the objection of his client, Mr. Cole transferred
the representation to another attorney. In the third matter, Mr. Cole engaged in the practice of law as corporate
counsel for a California company without registering with the State Bar of California and paying the required
fee. In the fourth matter, Mr. Cole made materially false statements in his bar application.
A hearing panel for the Board of Professional Responsibility imposed the sanction of disbarment. Mr.
Cole appealed the Hearing Panelâs judgment, and the Chancery court modified the judgment of the hearing
panel and imposed a suspension of three (3) years. The hearing panel and the trial court determined Mr. Cole
violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(e)(1) and (e)(2), Fees; 1.15(a) and (b), Safekeeping Property and
Funds; 1.16(d), Declining or Terminating Representation; 5.5(a), Unauthorized Practice of Law; 8.1, Bar
Admission and Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4(a) and (c), Misconduct.
Mr. Cole must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18 (2006)
and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 30.4(d) (2014) regarding the obligations and responsibilities of
suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.
Cole 2068-6 rel.doc