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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
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JAMES FOSTER SCHAEFFER, JR., BPR #006862
CONTACT: ALAN D. JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 9, 2021
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
Effective November 9, 2021, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended James Foster Schaeffer, Jr.,
from the practice of law for one (1) year with thirty (30) days being served as an active suspension pursuant to
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 12.2, and the remainder served on probation subject to Mr. Schaeffer
making restitution to his former client and incurring no new complaints of misconduct that relate to conduct
occurring during the period of suspension and probation that result in the recommendation by the Board that
discipline be imposed.
A Petition and Supplemental Petition for Discipline containing two complaints were filed by the Board.
In the first complaint, Mr. Schaeffer was retained to represent his client in an uncontested divorce. After
preparing the Marital Dissolution Agreement, his clientâs spouse would not sign it and the divorce became
contested. Mr. Schaeffer did not adequately communicate with his client, and the case was ultimately dismissed
for failure to prosecute. In the second complaint, Mr. Schaeffer represented his client in a criminal case. Mr.
Schaeffer was not diligent in providing his client a copy of the stateâs discovery.
Mr. Schaeffer executed a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Tennessee Rules of
Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 8.1 (disciplinary matters), and 8.4 (a) and (d)
(misconduct).
Mr. Schaeffer must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and
30.4 regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.
Schaeffer 3106-9 rel.doc