BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2013)
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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: SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ, III, BPR #27880
CONTACT: ALAN D. JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
December 30, 2013
MEMPHIS LAWYER CENSURED
On December 23, 2013, Samuel Rodriguez, III, of Memphis, Tennessee, was publicly censured by the Tennessee
Supreme Court.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against Mr. Rodriguez pursuant to Rule 9,
Rules of the Supreme Court. Mr. Rodriguez submitted a Conditional Guilty Plea acknowledging violations of Tennessee
Supreme Court Rule 8, Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.16
(terminating representation), 3.2 (expediting litigation) and 8.4(a) (misconduct).
Mr. Rodriguez was appointed to represent three defendants. He was not diligent in handling his clients' cases. In
one case, he did not properly withdraw after the trial court denied his clientâs petition for post conviction relief, and failed
to timely file a Notice of Appeal. In another case, he was appointed to represent his client on appeal and failed to pursue
the appeal for an extended period of time. In both cases, the Court of Criminal Appeals granted Mr. Rodriguezâs Motion
for Delayed Appeal. In another case, Mr. Rodriguez failed to timely file an appeal brief on behalf of his client and was
later relieved of representation by the Court of Criminal Appeals. In all three cases, he did not communicate with his
clients for extended periods of time.
For these violations, the Tennessee Supreme Court publicly censured Samuel Rodriguez, III, and ordered Mr.
Rodriguez to comply with recommendations of the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program. A public censure is a rebuke
and warning to the attorney, but does not affect the attorneyâs ability to practice law.
Rodriguez 2209-9 rel.doc
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