BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2017)
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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: MATTHEW F. STOWE, BPR #29994
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
September 12, 2017
CARROLL COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On September 12, 2017, Matthew F. Stowe, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, was
publicly censured by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Mr. Stowe is ordered to pay costs to the Board of
Professional Responsibility.
On February 26, 2016, the Board of Professional Responsibility (âBoardâ) filed a Petition for Discipline
against Matthew F. Stowe based upon one (1) complaint of misconduct. The alleged ethical misconduct by Mr.
Stowe arises from his actions while serving as the District Attorney General for the 24th Judicial District of
Tennessee. The complaint alleged that Mr. Stowe engaged in multiple acts of harassment that had no
substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a witness. In the prosecution of a murder trial, Mr.
Stoweâs office, through an Assistant District Attorney, was working with a witness to secure her testimony at
trial. After the witness informed Mr. Stoweâs office of a potential scheduling conflict, she was informed that
her schedule could not be accommodated and she would need to appear as scheduled. Despite the witnessâs
agreement with the Assistant District Attorney to attend the trial as scheduled, Mr. Stowe began directly
communicating with the witness and her supervisor in a harassing and hostile manner and stated that he would
hold her personally responsible if she âblow[s] this trial.â Mr. Stowe indicated that he would prosecute her if
she failed to appear and directed his office to begin preparation for those charges, even though he knew she had
confirmed her appearance. As a result of Mr. Stoweâs harassment, the witness retained private counsel to
accompany her to the trial as a precaution because she was concerned that if her testimony did not satisfy Mr.
Stowe, he would take some kind of action against her.
An evidentiary hearing was held before a hearing panel. The hearing panel concluded that Mr. Stoweâs
conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 4.4(a)(1), Respect for the Rights of Third Persons and 8.4(a)
and (d), Misconduct.
For these violations, the Tennessee Supreme Court publicly censured Mr. Stowe. A public censure is a
rebuke and warning to the lawyer, but does not affect the lawyerâs ability to practice law.
Stowe 2558-7 rel.doc