BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2011)
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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
RE: CHARLES M. CLIFFORD, BPR# 1544
CONTACT: RACHEL L. WATERHOUSE
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 24, 2011
MARYVILLE LAWYER CENSURED
On January 21, 2011, Charles M. Clifford, of Maryville, Tennessee, was publicly censured by the Board
of Professional Responsibility.
From early 2008 until April 2009, Mr. Clifford failed to take action on behalf of his client who retained
him to seek custody of his child whom he believed was being abused at the home of the child's mother. When
Mr. Clifford failed to return the clientâs phone calls, the client called another attorney who met with him that
day and filed an emergency Petition for Custody in Juvenile Court, which was immediately granted. The
information relied on by subsequent counsel and the Court was the same information conveyed to Mr. Clifford.
The child was subject to abuse in the period between when Mr. Clifford became involved and when the
subsequent attorney took action.
Mr. Cliffordâs actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.2 (scope of
representation), 1.3 (diligence) and 1.4 (communication).
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Clifford 33246-2 rel.doc.
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