Turner 1217 rel.PDF (2002)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
LANCE B. BRACY WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL 1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 CHARLES A. HIGH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 SANDY GARRETT
LAURA L. CHASTAIN
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 JESSE D. JOSEPH
(800) 486-5714 JAMES A. VICK
BEVERLY P. SHARPE FAX: (615) 367- 2480 THERESA M. COSTONIS
CONSUMER COUNSEL/DIRECTOR E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: MELVIN G. TURNER, BPR #4439
CONTACT: LAURA L. CHASTAIN
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 16, 2002
MEMPHIS ATTORNEY SUSPENDED FROM PRACTICE OF LAW
On October 14, 2002 the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an order suspending the
law license of Melvin G. Turner for a period of six months retroactive to January 17, 2002.
Mr. Turner neglected two estates and allowed a paralegal to draft a motion for bankruptcy
court and signed Mr. Turnerâs name to the motion. Mr. Turner allowed the paralegal to file the
motion without having reviewed the motion or interview the client prior to the motion being filed.
Mr. Turnerâs actions and omissions in these matters resulted in violation of Disciplinary Rules
1-102(A)(1)(4)(5)(6); DR 3-101(A); DR 6-101(A)(1)(2)(3); DR 7-101(A)(1(2)(3)(4); and DR 7-
106(C)(5)(6) and (7), of the Code of Professional Responsibility. A petition for discipline was filed
by Disciplinary Counsel on behalf of the Board of Professional Responsibility. Pursuant to
Rule 9, Section 16.1 of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court, Mr. Turner admitted the
charges filed against him and entered into a settlement agreement approved by both the hearing
committee and the Board of Professional Responsibility. The Tennessee Supreme Court acted
upon the settlement agreement and ordered that Mr. Turner shall be suspended for six months
from the practice of law retroactive to January 17, 2002. Section 18 of Tennessee Supreme Court
Rule 9 requires Mr. Turner to notify by registered or certified mail all clients being represented in
pending matters; all co-counsel and opposing counsel of the Supreme Courtâs order suspending
his license. Section 18 also requires Mr. Turner to deliver to all clients any paper or property to
which they are entitled.
This disciplinary matter was held pursuant to Supreme Court Rules 8 and 9. In Tennessee
suspended lawyers may, after the passage of their suspension, apply for reinstatement of their
law licenses. However, to succeed these lawyers must carry their burden of proof by clear and
convincing evidence that their reinstatement will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of
the bar or the administration of justice or subversive to the public interest.
LLC:mw
Turner 1217 rel.doc