BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2009)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
ROBERT J. TURNER, BPR #15107
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
February 12, 2009
NASHVILLE LAWYER SUSPENDED
On February 9, 2009, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Robert J. Turner, of Nashville, Tennessee, for one
year with all time probated subject to several conditions. Mr. Turner must engage a practice monitor who shall be
charged with reviewing and monitoring Mr. Turnerâs office practices on a monthly basis. The practice monitor shall
focus on client communications, fee agreements, and the timeliness of case related tasks. Failure to comply with the
terms of probation may result in revocation of the probationary period and imposition of license suspension for the
remainder of the period. Mr. Turner is also ordered to pay the Boardâs costs in this matter.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline and a Supplemental Petition for Discipline
against Mr. Turner pursuant to Rule 9 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Mr. Turner entered a Conditional
Guilty Plea which was accepted and approved by a Hearing Panel. The Petitions were based upon four complaints of
ethical misconduct. In the first, Mr. Turner failed to deliver domestic partnership documents to his client. In the second,
Mr. Turner failed to communicate with his client in a reasonable manner about her pending case, failed to timely respond
to discovery requests by the opposing party, and failed to protect his clientâs claims and defenses by neglecting to raise a
critical defense. In the third complaint, Mr. Turner failed to conduct himself in a professional manner by approaching an
opposing party in the courtroom and making a rude comment. Finally, Mr. Turner failed to communicate with a client
about the dismissal of her case for lack of prosecution.
Mr. Turnerâs actions violate the following Disciplinary Rules and Rules of Professional Conduct: DR 1-102,
Misconduct; DR 2-110, Withdrawal from Employment; DR 6-101, Failing to Act Competently; DR 7-101, Representing a
Client Zealously; DR 9-102, Preserving the Identity of Funds of the Client; RPC 1.1, Competence; 1.2, Scope of
Representation ; 1.3, Diligence; 1.4, Communication; 1.5, Fees; 1.15, Safekeeping Property; 1.16, Declining and
Terminating Representation; 3.2, Expediting Litigation; 4.1, Truthfulness and Candor in Statements to Others; 4.2,
Communication With a Person Represented by Counsel; 4.4, Respect for the Rights of Third Persons; 8.1, Bar Admission
and Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4 Misconduct.
Turner 1535-5 rel.doc
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