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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
FAX: (615)367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: MICHAEL LEON HARRIS, BPR #30634
CONTACT: ALAN D. JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361â7500
June 22, 2017
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
On June 21 , 2017, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Michael Leon Harris from the practice of
law for ï¬ve (5) years, retroactive to November 6, 2015, pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section
12.2. Mr. Harris was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on November 6, 2015, for failing to
respond to Disciplinary Counsel. Mr. Harris must pay restitution to nine former clients as a condition of
reinstatement to the practice of law. Also, Mr. Harris must pay the Board of Professional Responsibilityâs costs
and expenses and court costs within ninety days
On November 3, 2015, the Board ï¬led a Petition for Discipline against Mr. Harris. On March 31, 2016,
the Board ï¬led a Supplemental Petition for Discipline against Mr. Harris. On December 21, 2016, the Board
ï¬led a Second Supplemental Petition for Discipline against Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris executed a Conditional
Guilty Plea admitting his misconduct.
The allegations in the Petitions for Discipline include instances of lack of diligence and communication,
excessive fees, improper termination, failure to expedite litigation, failure to perform services for which he was
paid, unauthorized practice of law, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the administration ofjustice.
Mr. Harrisâ misconduct violates Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, Diligence; 1.4, Communication; 1.5,
Fees; 1.8, Conï¬ict of Interest; 1.15, Safekeeping Property; 1.16, Declining and Terminating Representation;
3.4, Fairness to Opposing Party; 5.5, Unauthorized Practice of Law; 8.1, Bar Admission and Disciplinary
Matters; and 8.4, Misconduct.
Mr. Harris must comply with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 28 regarding the obligations
and responsibilities suspended attorneys.
Harris 2504â9 rel.doc
FILED
06/21/2017
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
Clerk of the
Appellate Courts
IN RE: MICHAEL LEON HARRIS, PBR #30634
An Attorney Licensed to Practice Law in Tennessee
(Shelby County)
No. M2017â0121 1-SC-BAR-BP
BOPR No. 2015â2504â9-AJ
ORDER OF ENFORCEMENT
This matter is before the Court upon a Petition for Discipline filed against Michael
Leon Harris on November 3, 2015; upon Answer to Petition for Discipline filed by Mr.
Harris on February 4, 2016; upon a Supplemental Petition for Discipline filed against Mr.
Harris on March 31, 2016; upon a Conditional Guilty Plea submitted by Mr. Harris on
October 17, 2016; upon an Order Recommending Approval of Conditional Guilty Plea
filed on October 26, 2016; upon consideration and approval by the Board on November
10, 2016; upon remand to the Hearing Panel by the Supreme Court on December 15,
2016; upon a Second Supplemental Petition for Discipline ï¬led on December 21, 2016;
upon a Conditional Guilty Plea submitted by Mr. Harris on May 24, 2017; upon an Order
Recommending Approval of Conditional Guilty Plea ï¬led on June 5, 2017; upon service
of the Order Recommending Approval of Conditional Guilty Plea by the Executive
Secretary of the Board on Mr. Harris on June 5, 2017; upon consideration and approval
by the Board on June 9, 2017; and upon the entire record in this cause.
From all of which the Court approves the Order of the Hearing Panel and adopts
the Hearing Panelâs Order Recommending Approval of Conditional Guilty Plea as the
Courtâs Order.
On November 6, 2015, Mr. Harris was temporarily suspended by this Court
pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 12.3 (Case No. M2015-02137-SC-BAR-BP). To date,
Mr. Harris has not requested, nor been granted reinstatement,
IT IS, THEREFORE, CONSTDERED, ORDERED, ADJUIGED AND
DECREED BY THE COURT THAT:
(1)
Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 122, Michael Leon Harris is suspended
from the practice of law for live (5) years retroactive to November 6, 20l5, the date Mr.
Harris was temporarily suspended from the practiceâolâ law.
000......
(2)
Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 12.7, and as a condition precedent to any
reinstatement, Mr. Harris shall make restitution to the following individuals and shall
furnish to the Board of Professional Responsibility proof of restitution. In the event
restitution is made by the Tennessee Lawyerâs Fund for Client Protection (TLFCP), Mr.
Harris shall reimburse TLFCP in the same amount:
Nistephanie McNeil - $2,800.00
Dola Rivers - $2,825.00
Mary Ringold - $1,000.00
Eric Berry â $1,000.00
Theotis Evans - $1,000.00
Man/ell Allen - $3,500.00
Antonio Bobo - $2,000.00
Franchesca Sanders - $5,000.00
Usef Simmons â $3,850.00
(3)
Prior to seeking reinstatement, Mr. Harris must have met all CLE
requirements; have remitted all outstanding registration fees and outstanding professional
privilege taxes, including those due from the date of this suspension until the date of
reinstatement; and have remitted all court costs and Board costs in this matter.
(4)
Mr. Harris shall comply in all aspects with Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, §§ 28 and
30.4, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the
procedure for reinstatement. .
(5)
Further, the Order of Temporary Suspension entered on November 6, 2015,
in Case No. 2015-02137âSC-BARâBP is hereby dissolved.
(6)
Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 281, this Order shall be effective upon
entry.
(7)
Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 31 .3(d), Mr. Harris shall pay to the Board
of Professional Responsibility the expenses and costs of this matter in the amount of
$458.55 and shall pay to the Clerk of this Court the costs incurred herein, within ninety
(90) days of the entry of this Order, for all of which execution may issue if necessary.
(8)
The Board of Professional Responsibility shall cause notice of this
discipline to be published as required by Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 28.11.
PER CURlAM