BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2005)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPLLREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
LANCE B. BRACY WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL 1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 CHARLES A. HIGH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 SANDY GARRETT
LAURA L. CHASTAIN TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 JESSE D. JOSEPH
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
(800) 486-5714 JAMES A. VICK
FAX: (615) 367-2480 THERESA M. COSTONIS
BEVERLY P. SHARPE
CONSUMER COUNSEL DIRECTOR
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
IN RE: STEVEN MONROE TEMPLE, BPR #15894
CONTACT: LAURA L. CHASTAIN
BOARD OF PROFESSIOAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
February 8, 2005
LAW LICENSE OF MEMPHIS ATTORNEY SUSPENDED
On February 3, 2005, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an Order suspending the
law license of Steven Monroe Temple for a period of one year retroactive to October 28, 2003,
the date upon which he was first suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Mr. Temple abandoned his law practice without notice to his clients, charged excessive
fees, failed to withdraw from his clientsâ cases when he could no longer represent the clients,
failed to adequately communicate with his clients and failed to return unused portions of retainer
fees. As a result of his failure to respond, Templeâs law license has been temporarily suspended
since October 28, 2003.
Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition for discipline and a supplemental petition for
discipline pursuant to Rule 9, Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Temple agreed to enter
into a conditional guilty plea to the petitions in exchange for a one year suspension retroactive to
October 28, 2003 the date upon which he was first suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court
and Temple agreed to make restitution as a condition precedent to reinstatement as follows:
Michael Adams $4,300.00
Nathan Wilson 750.00
Robert Lee Williams 450.00
James Dotson 2,500.00
Temple has entered into a monitoring contract with Tennessee Lawyersâ Assistance
Program.
This disciplinary matter was held pursuant to Supreme Court Rules 8 and 9. In
Tennessee suspended lawyers may, after the passage of their suspension, apply for reinstatement
of their law licenses. However, to succeed these lawyers must carry their burden of proof by
clear and convincing evidence that their reinstatement will not be detrimental to the integrity and
standing of the bar or the administration of justice or subversive to the public interest.
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Temple 1419 rel.doc