BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2015)
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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: JOHN STEPHEN ANDERSON, BPR #12367
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 22, 2015
HAWKINS COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On December 22, 2015, John Stephen Anderson, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, was
suspended from the practice of law in two disciplinary cases. In the first case, Mr. Anderson agreed to a suspension of
one year and payment of restitution for two clients. In the second matter, Mr. Anderson agreed to suspension for five
years, to be served consecutive to the suspension in the first matter, and payment of restitution to twelve (12) clients. The
total amount of restitution is $17,968.00 which must be paid as a condition to future reinstatement. Mr. Anderson must
pay the Board of Professional Responsibilityâs costs and expenses and court costs within ninety days.
The first disciplinary proceeding (Docket No. 2013-2274-1-AW) consists of a Petition for Discipline filed
November 25, 2013, and a Supplemental Petition for Discipline filed April 25, 2014. A hearing panel found that Mr.
Anderson failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, failed to obtain written waivers from former clients
regarding a conflict of interest, failed to reasonably communicate with his clients, made false statements and material
misrepresentations to the Court and his clients, and engaged in misconduct involving dishonesty, deceit or
misrepresentations. Mr. Anderson filed an appeal of the hearing panelâs decision, but subsequently submitted a
Conditional Guilty Plea admitting a violation of Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 1.3 (diligence); 1.4
(communication); 1.9 (duties to former clients); 3.3 (candor toward the tribunal); and 8.4 (misconduct).
The second disciplinary proceeding (Docket No. 2015-2433-1-AW) consists of a Petition for Discipline filed
March 13, 2015, and a Supplemental Petition for Discipline filed June 2, 2015, alleging professional misconduct in fifteen
(15) complaints. In general, Mr. Anderson failed to represent his clients in a diligent and/or competent manner, failed to
perform legal work for which he was hired, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law while temporarily suspended,
failed to safeguard client property, and made misrepresentations to his clients about the status of their cases.
Mr. Anderson submitted a Conditional Guilty Plea admitting violations of RPC 1.2 (scope of representation); 1.3
(diligence); 1.4 (communication); 1.5 (fees); 1.12 (former judge or arbitrator); 1.15 (safekeeping of property and funds);
1.16 (terminating representation); 3.1 (meritorious claims and contentions); 3.2 (expediting litigation); 3.3 (candor toward
the tribunal); 3.4 (fairness to opposing party and counsel); 5.3 (responsibilities regarding non-lawyer assistants); 5.5
(unauthorized practice of law); 8.1 (bar admission and disciplinary matters) and 8.4 (misconduct).
Mr. Anderson must comply with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30 regarding the obligations
and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedures for reinstatement.
Anderson 2274-1; 2433-1 rel.doc