Microsoft Word - ebb_67686671_2745040040_6 (2021)
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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: ADDIE MARIE BURKS, BPR #011805
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 19, 2021
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On January 15, 2021, Addie Marie Burks, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Ms. Burks received funds on a clientâs case in November 2019, and she delayed distributing the funds
until August 2020. Also, Ms. Burks distributed all the funds directly to the client instead of first resolving
existing medical liens. Ms. Burks did not have a written fee agreement for a contingency fee agreement, and
she commingled a small portion of her fee with client funds when she failed to timely remove her entire fee
from trust. In another matter for the same client, Ms. Burks failed to timely distribute a small amount to a
medical provider for over two years.
By these acts, Addie Marie Burks has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3
(diligence), 1.15 (safekeeping funds), 1.5 (fees) and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice) and is
hereby Publicly Censured, with the requirement that she attend the Board of Professional Responsibilityâs Trust
Account Workshop scheduled for March 2021.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Burks 63673-9 rel.doc