BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2010)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: ALEA DANIELLE ASHBY, BPR# 24069
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
August 10, 2010
NASHVILLE LAWYER DISBARRED
On August 5, 2010, Alea Danielle Ashby, of Nashville, Tennessee, was disbarred by the Tennessee
Supreme Court. She was ordered to provide restitution to eight (8) clients.
On August 24, 2009, a Petition for Discipline was filed against Ms. Ashby containing three (3)
complaints of disciplinary misconduct. A Supplemental Petition for Discipline containing two (2) more
complaints of disciplinary misconduct was filed on November 18, 2009. A Second Supplemental Petition
for Discipline containing five (5) additional complaints of misconduct was filed on January 13, 2010. Ms.
Ashby did not file an answer to any of the petitions. On May 18, 2010, a hearing was held to determine the
appropriate disciplinary sanction. The Hearing Panel found that Ms. Ashby accepted legal fees from clients
and then failed to perform work as promised. Ms. Ashby failed to communicate properly with clients. Her
failure to communicate with clients was exacerbated by her August 4, 2009 temporary suspension for
failure to respond to the Board regarding complaints of disciplinary misconduct. Prior to the temporary
suspension, clients were unable to find or communicate with Ms. Ashby except on a sporadic basis.
However, following the temporary suspension, Ms. Ashbyâs lack of communication and failure to properly
comply with Tenn. S. Ct. Rule 9, Section 18, resulted in an abandonment of practice and caused serious
injury to her clients. Further, Ms. Ashby continued to practice law after her suspension. She
misrepresented her licensure status to the Davidson County Circuit Court, opposing counsel, and clients.
Ms. Ashbyâs actions violate the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3, Diligence; 1.4,
Communication; 1.5, Fees; 3.3, Candor to the Tribunal; 3.4, Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel; 5.5,
Unauthorized Practice of Law; 8.1, Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters; and 8.4, Misconduct.
Ms. Ashby must comply with Sections 18 and 19 of Supreme Court Rule 9 regarding the
obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement. She must pay
the Boardâs costs and expenses prior to reinstatement to the practice of law.
Ashby 1838-5 rel.doc
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