BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2016)
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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: STEVEN E. SAMS, BPR #22560
CONTACT: ALAN JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
August 8, 2016
KNOX COUNTY LAWYER DISBARRED
On August 5, 2016, Steven E. Sams of Knoxville, Tennessee, was disbarred from the practice of law
by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Mr. Sams must pay the Boardâs costs and expenses.
A Petition for Discipline was filed on November 18, 2015, that included one (1) complaint of
misconduct. On September 12, 2013, Mr. Sams was temporarily suspended from the practice of law for
failing to respond in an unrelated ethics complaint. Following his temporary suspension, Mr. Sams contacted
the surviving heirs of a deceased acquaintance, represented to them that he was an attorney licensed to
practice law in Tennessee, and offered to serve as the administrator of their motherâs estate. Mr. Sams sent
the heirs a letter with âSams Law Firm, PLLCâ on the letterhead, and included declinations for the heirs to
sign, which stated: âI hereby nominate Attorney Steven E. Sams to serve as Personal Representative.â Mr.
Sams filed a petition to open the estate that included the declinations and pleadings that represented that his
employer was Sams Law Firm, PLLC.
Mr. Samsâ ethical misconduct violated Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18.7 (2006), new
representation prohibited after suspension, and Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4, communication, 3.3, candor
toward the tribunal, 5.5 (b), unauthorized practice of law, 7.1, communication concerning legal services, 7.5,
firm letterheads, 8.1, failing to respond, and 8.4 (a) and (g), misconduct.
Sams 2514-2 rel.doc