BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2016)
Archived Content: This document is formally archived for historical reference. The original PDF remains the official record for legal purposes.
Need help? Please use the Assistance Request Form below.
Original PDF Document
Download Official Record (martin-2485-1.pdf)
Alternative Accessible HTML
Accessible Alternative: This HTML version is an automatically processed accessible alternative. While it provides a searchable format, the text extraction may contain formatting or character errors. The original PDF remains the authoritative official record.
Need a different format? Use the Request Assistance Form.
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
FA24: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: VENITA MARIE MARTIN, BPR #17469
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 5, 2016
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER DISBARRED
Effective October 5, 2016, Venita Marie Martin of Memphis, Tennessee, was disbarred from the
practice of law by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Ms. Martin must pay restitution to three individual
clients and the Boardâs costs and expenses and the court costs within ninety days of the entry of the Order of
Enforcement.
A Petition for Discipline and Supplemental Petition for Discipline were filed against Ms. Martin
consisting of a total of seven (7) complaints of misconduct. A Hearing Panel recommended disbarment after
finding Ms. Martin knowingly failed to reasonably communicate with her clients regarding the status of their
case; failed to respond to discovery requests; failed to respond to show cause orders; failed to appear at
scheduled court hearings; failed to represent her clients in a diligent manner and reasonably expedite their
litigation; failed to reasonably notify clients she was abandoning her office and terminating her law practice;
failed to provide clients with alternative contact information after abandoning her law office and terminating her
law practice, and failed to return unearned fees and expenses to her clients.
Ms. Martinâs ethical misconduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, Diligence; 1.4,
Communication; 1.16, Declining and Terminating Representation; 3.2, Expediting Litigation; 3.4(a) and (c)
Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel; 8.1(b) Bar Admissions and Disciplinary matters; 8.2(a)(3) Judicial and
Legal Officials; and 8.4(a), (c), and (d), Misconduct.
Martin 2485-9 rel.doc