BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2017)
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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: CHRISTOPHER P. WESTMORELAND, BPR #24789
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 20, 2017
BEDFORD COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On October 17, 2017, Christopher P. Westmoreland, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
A client hired Mr. Westmoreland to represent him on a petition to change custody. The court entered an
order in August 2016, restricting the client to supervised visitation. The client was aware of the ruling. Mr.
Westmoreland mailed the client a copy of the order, but the client did not receive it. By email in September,
November and December 2016, the client asked Mr. Westmoreland for a copy of the order. Mr. Westmoreland
resent the order to the client in mid-December 2016. Mr. Westmorelandâs conduct is in violation of Rule 1.4
(communication).
In March 2016, another client hired Mr. Westmoreland to represent him in a workersâ compensation
matter. A few months later, Mr. Westmoreland intended to withdraw from the representation, but did not do so.
The court entered orders in July and September 2016 ordering Mr. Westmorelandâs client to respond to
discovery. The client was not aware of these orders and the discovery was not completed. The case was
dismissed as a discovery sanction in November 2016.
By these acts, Mr. Westmoreland is in violation of Rules 1.4 (communication), 1.3 (diligence), 3.4(c)
(fairness to opposing party), and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice) of the Rules of Professional
Conduct and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Westmoreland 50447-4; 51304-4 rel.doc