BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2008)
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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
DENNIS J. HUGHES, # 12877
CONTACT: NANCY S. JONES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 29, 2008
NASHVILLE ATTORNEY DENIED REINSTATEMENT
On July 10, 2008, the Supreme Court entered a Judgment against Dennis J. Hughes denying
reinstatement of his law license. The Court found that Mr. Hughes had failed to carry his burden in his
reinstatement proceeding to show by clear and convincing evidence that his resumption of the practice of law
would not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or the administration of justice, or subversive to
the public interest.
In 1997 Mr. Hughes was convicted of two felonies in connection with his bribery of an eyewitness in a
case in which he was defense counsel in a first degree murder trial in Davidson County. The conviction was
affirmed on appeal and Mr. Hughes served two years in jail. Immediately following the conviction, Mr. Hughes
was summarily suspended from the practice of law pursuant to Section 14 of Supreme Court Rule 9 and he later
consented to disbarment pursuant to Section 15.
In October 2004, Mr. Hughes filed a petition for reinstatement under Section 19, which places the
burden of proof on the suspended or disbarred attorney to establish three criteria for reinstatement by clear and
convincing evidence. In its written Opinion accompanying the Judgment, a majority of the Court concluded
that Mr. Hughes had failed to carry his burden of proof on the final criterion and that his rehabilitation efforts
did not outweigh the seriousness of his crimes. Justice Janice Holder dissented concluding that the majority of
the Court had misapplied the July 2006 amendment to the standard of review on appeal provision of Section 8.1
and the Courtâs recent decision in Love v. Board of Professional Responsibility, No. M2007-00790-SC-R3-CV,
2008 WL 2002339 (May 12, 2008) interpreting the amendment.
Pursuant to Section 19.8 of Rule 9, Mr. Hughes cannot seek reinstatement again for three (3) years
following the date of the Judgment of July 10, 2008.
Hughes R-153-5 rel.doc
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