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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
FA24: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: TERRY RENEASE CLAYTON, BPR #012392
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 26, 2021
DAVIDSON_COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On July 26, 2021, Terry Renease Clayton, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Clayton represented a client in the recovery of back child support. In August 2020, Mr. Clayton
received the funds and timely issued a check to his client. After issuing another check in the case, Mr. Clayton
issued a check to himself for fees, which resulted in an overdraft of the account. The check was returned by the
bank.
Mr. Clayton then discovered that he had accidentally overpaid his client due to his mathematical error.
Mr. Clayton asked his client to return the overpaid funds, which she did. After the error, Mr. Clayton delayed
in removing his earned fee from trust, doing so in multiple payments over three months. Mr. Clayton did not
have a client ledger on this matter. Mr. Claytonâs conduct resulted in the commingling of his funds with client
funds for three months.
By these acts, Terry Renease Clayton has violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15 (safekeeping
funds) and is hereby Publicly Censured with the condition that he attend the next Trust Account Workshop by
the Board of Professional Responsibility in September 2021.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Clayton 65589n-5 rel.doc