BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2009)
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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: SCOTT THOMAS BEALL, BPR# 13711
CONTACT: KRISANN HODGES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 13, 2009
MEMPHIS LAWYER CENSURED
On October 29, 2009, Scott Thomas Beall, of Memphis, Tennessee, received a Public Censure from the
Tennessee Supreme Court.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against Scott Thomas Beall
pursuant to Rule 9 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Mr. Beall submitted a Conditional Guilty
Plea agreeing to accept a Public Censure. Mr. Beall violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by instructing a
client in North Carolina to shred duplicate photocopies of account statements the client had illegally taken from
a former employer against Mr. Beallâs specific instructions to the client not to take such documents. The client
did not initially advise Mr. Beall that he had taken confidential customer information. Instead, the client signed
two (2) affidavits stating he had not taken confidential customer information and failed to tell Mr. Beall or his
local counsel in North Carolina that the affidavits contained a statement that the client knew was not true. Mr.
Beall advised the client to destroy the photocopies in his possession so that the information could not be
illegally used by the new employer and so that the client would again be in compliance with federal and state
financial privacy laws. Mr. Beall and local counsel disclosed the clientâs perjury and shredding of documents to
opposing counsel and the Court.
Although Mr. Beallâs instructions were not intended to mislead or prevent disclosure of his clientâs
wrongdoing, under the totality of the circumstances, his instructions were not proper and have led to this agreed
censure. His actions violate the following Rule of Professional Conduct: 8.4 (Misconduct).
For this violation, the Supreme Court of Tennessee publicly censures Scott Thomas Beall. A public
censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to practice law.
Beall 1803-9 rel.doc
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