BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2016)
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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: PAUL JAMES SPRINGER, SR., BPR #21267
CONTACT: RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
June 24, 2016
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
Effective July 3, 2016, Paul James Springer, Sr., of Memphis, Tennessee, is suspended from the practice
of law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for a period of two (2) years and sixty (60) days. Mr. Springer
must serve a minimum active suspension of sixty (60) days, and the suspension shall continue indefinitely until
Mr. Springer pays restitution in the amount of $10,000, engages a practice monitor for the duration of his
probation, completes six (6) additional hours of continuing education, and obtains professional liability
insurance in coverage amounts of $100,000/$200,000. Mr. Springer must pay costs of the disciplinary matter to
the Board and to the Court and must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9,
Sections 18 (2006) and 30 (2014), regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys. Mr.
Springer may not return to the active practice of law until an order of reinstatement has been entered by the
Supreme Court.
On November 2, 2012, the Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against
Mr. Springer based upon two (2) complaints of ethical misconduct. In the first matter, Mr. Springer used his
trust account over a period of approximately five (5) years to pay personal and business expenses. In the second
matter, Mr. Springer settled a personal injury action and retained $100,000 to pay medical and judgment liens
for his client, litigation expenses and his attorney fee. Mr. Springer was notified by the client she continued to
receive medical bills, but Mr. Springer took no action to pay the bills. After receiving more bills, the client
demanded an accounting to which Mr. Springer failed to comply. Thereafter, the client demanded certain
settlement funds and notified Mr. Springer she would assume responsibility for the outstanding medical bills
and judgment. Mr. Springer refused to release settlement funds to the client and never satisfied the outstanding
medical bills or judgment.
Mr. Springerâs conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 1.3 (diligence); 1.4
(communication); 1.5(c) (fees); 1.15(a), (b), (d) and (e) (safekeeping property and funds); 8.1(b) (disciplinary
matters) and 8.4(a) and (d) (misconduct).
Springer 2170-9 rel.doc