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: SAMUEL JOSEPH HARRIS, BPR #17392
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 30, 2015
COOKEVILLE ATTORNEY DISBARRED
On November 25, 2015, Samuel Joseph Harris, formerly of Cookeville, Tennessee, was disbarred by the
Tennessee Supreme Court and ordered to pay restitution to three former clients. The disbarment is effective
immediately and Mr. Harris must pay the Board of Professional Responsibilityâs costs and expenses and the
court costs within ninety days.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline and a Supplemental Petition for
Discipline based upon five complaints by former clients. The Boardâs Petitions alleged Mr. Harris accepted
fees from his clients but failed to perform the professional services for which he was retained; failed to
reasonably communicate with his clients regarding the status of their legal matters; failed to inform his clients
his license had been suspended by the Supreme Court and abandoned his clients and his law practice.
A Hearing Panel for the Board of Professional Responsibility found Mr. Harris violated Tennessee
Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 1.1 (competence); 1.3 (diligence); 1.4 (communication); 1.15
(safekeeping of property and funds); 1.16 (declining or terminating representation); 3.2 (expediting litigation);
5.5 (unauthorized practice of law); 8.1 (bar admissions and disciplinary matters) and 8.4(a), (c) and (d)
(misconduct).
Mr. Harrisâ license to practice law was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court of Tennessee on
May 2, 2014, for failure to respond to the Board concerning a complaint of misconduct. By its November 25,
2015 Order of Enforcement, the Temporary Suspension was dissolved.
Mr. Harris must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30
(2014), regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.
Harris 2363-4 rel.doc