BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2005)
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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
LAWRENCE A. WELCH, JR., BPR #14684
CONTACT: SANDY GARRETT
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 27, 2005
GREENEVILLE ATTORNEY SUSPENDED
On December 19, 2005, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an Order
suspending Lawrence A. Welch, Jr. for three (3) years.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against
Welch pursuant to Rule 9, Rules of Supreme Court of Tennessee. On July 8, 2003, a Hearing
Panel heard the Board of Professional Responsibilityâs charges against Mr. Welch and
recommended Mr. Welch be suspended for three (3) years. The Hearing Panel found that Welch
acted unethically by soliciting and accepting a $6,000.00 fee as payment for Welchâs providing
financial advice to a client which was a service Welch had little to no formal training and no
professional experience. The Panel further found that Welch structured his agreement with his
client so that he was entitled to keep the $6,000.00 âretainerâ whether or not Welch provided any
services. Welch provided no service to the client and the client received no benefit for her
$6,000.00 payment. The Panel found that Welchâs Consulting Agreement with this client was
unethical and dishonest and violated Tenn. Code Ann. ¶23-3-201(5), DR 1-102(1), (4), (5), & (6)
and DR 5104(A). On April 1, 2004, Mr. Welch filed a Petition of Certiorari appealing the
Hearing Panel opinion. On July 22, 2005, Special Judge William H. Inman issued a
memorandum affirming the Hearing Panel opinion and recommending Mr. Welch be suspended
for three (3) years. On December 19, 2005, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an Order
suspending Mr. Welch for three (3) years.
While suspended, Welch shall not use any indicia of lawyer, legal assistant or law
clerk, nor maintain the presence for the practice of law is conducted. Section 18 of Tennessee
Supreme Court Rule 9 requires Welch to notify all clients, all co-counsel and opposing counsel
of the Supreme Courtâs Order suspending him. Section 18 of Rule 9, Rules of the Supreme
Court also requires Welch to deliver to all clients any papers or property to which they are
entitled.
This disciplinary matter was held pursuant to Supreme Court Rules 8 and 9. In
Tennessee, suspended lawyers may, after the passage of the suspension, apply for reinstatement
of their law license. To succeed with an Application for Reinstatement of their law license,
lawyers must carry their burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence and show that the
reinstatement will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the Bar, or the
administration of justice or subversive to the public interest.
Welch 1126-1 rel.doc
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