phelps-70100-0--public-censure.pdf (2023)
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IN DISCIPLINARY DISTRICT VI
OF THE
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
IN RE: Craig Thomas Phelps, BPR No. 037612 FILE No. 70100-0-ES
Respondent, an attorney licensed
to practice law in Tennessee
(Great Falls, MT)
____________________________________________________________________________
PUBLIC CENSURE
____________________________________________________________________________
The above complaint was filed against Craig Thomas Phelps, an attorney licensed to
practice law in Tennessee, alleging certain acts of misconduct. Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9,
the Board of Professional Responsibility considered this matter at its meeting on June 9, 2023.
Mr. Phelps is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, and he serves in the United States Air
Force in Great Falls, Montana. Mr. Phelps returned from officer training school in March 2020,
and he intended to file a motion to place his license on military exempt status with the Board of
Professional Responsibility at that time. No application was filed with the Board of Professional
Responsibility.
Mr. Phelps did not pay his annual registration fee for 2021. He received three notices of
the fee and his failure to pay it. Mr. Phelps incorrectly believed the notices were in error because
he was âmilitary exempt.â On March 15, 2021, Mr. Phelpsâ law license was suspended for his
failure to pay his annual fee. Mr. Phelps did not stop practicing law. On March 7, 2022, Mr.
Phelps realized his law license was suspended and he stopped practicing law. A professional
responsibility inquiry was made to the Judge Advocate General, Department of the Air Force,
about Mr. Phelpsâ conduct, and he received discipline from the United States Air Force.
By the aforementioned acts, Craig Thomas Phelps is in violation of Rule of Professional
Conduct 5.5 (unauthorized practice of law) and is hereby Publicly Censured for this violation.
FOR THE BOARD OF
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
_______________________________
Jennifer S. Hagerman, Chair
July 18, 2023
_______________________________
Date
2