how to file complaint on attorney tennessee

To bring a disciplinary proceeding against an attorney in the state, the Tennessee Supreme Court

requires that you first file a Memorandum of Complaint with the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court that includes your name, the name of the attorney and a description of the facts leading to the complaint.

Full Answer

How do I file a civil complaint in Tennessee?

The easiest and most efficient way to file a complaint is by using our online complaint form. To file a complaint online: Access the online complaint form; Fill in the requested information and submit the complaint; Please allow several days for processing. You will be notified when your complaint is assigned to a consumer specialist and sent to the business. Complaints can also …

How do I file a complaint against a judge?

If you are filing a complaint against an attorney practicing law but not licensed in Tennessee, you will need to print and submit a complaint form to the Board via email attachment or U.S. mail to the following address: Board of Professional Responsibility 10 Cadillac Drive, Suite 220 Brentwood, TN 37027 [email protected]

How do I file a formal complaint against an unethical attorney?

File a Consumer Complaint. The Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA), now housed in the Attorney General’s Office, works to handle consumer complaints and educate consumers on the latest scams and threats that could cause harm. To file a complaint against an individual or a business entity, you can complete a complaint form here. DCA will forward your complaint to the …

Are consumer complaints subject to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs?

All complaint forms, both print and online, can be found on the TPUC website under “File a Complaint”. Each form explains the e-filing process for online complaint forms. To specifically file a complaint regarding a regulated utility, use the TPUC Online Utility Complaint Form. Contact the Tennessee Public Utility Commission at 615-741-2904, (800) 342-8359, or [email protected].

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

How do I file a formal complaint?

How to Make a Formal Complaint at WorkPut Your Complaint in Writing. Draft a letter or a formal paper that details your complaint and address it to the head of your company's human resource department. ... Submit Your Complaint. ... Schedule a Meeting. ... Contact the External Agencies.

How do you file a complaint against a judge in the state of Tennessee?

To file a complaint, you must fill out a complaint form and send it to the Disciplinary Counsel of the Board of Judicial Conduct. What is judicial misconduct? Judicial misconduct generally is conduct that is in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which is Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10.

Who is TN attorney general?

Herbert Slatery III (Republican Party)Tennessee / Attorney generalHerbert H. Slatery III is an American attorney from the state of Tennessee. A Republican, he serves as the Attorney General of Tennessee. Wikipedia

What qualifies as an EEOC complaint?

You can file a formal job discrimination complaint with the EEOC whenever you believe you are: Being treated unfairly on the job because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older) or genetic information; or.

What is the difference between a complaint and a formal complaint?

Formal complaints are assigned to a Compliance Officer for inspection. Non-formal complaints are complaints made anonymously, by former employees, or by individuals who did not provide their written signature for the complaint.Apr 2, 2022

Who investigates corrupt judges in Tennessee?

the Board of Judicial ConductIf you believe a judge has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, you may file a complaint with the Board of Judicial Conduct.

How do you cite the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct?

[24] Standard Citation Format: Citations to each Rule of Professional Conduct ("RPC") shall be in the following format: Tenn. Sup. Ct.

What does it mean when a judge is reprimanded?

“Reprimand” is a formal sanction of a judge for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct. It is a rebuke for one or more violations that does not require censure. A reprimand usually involves an isolated incident or behavior that can be easily corrected.Jul 28, 2014

How do I contact the Tennessee attorney general?

Related Agencies' Contact InformationTennessee Attorney General. Opinions on the Web. Public Information Office. (615) 741-5860.Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. 226 Capitol Boulevard, Suite 800. Nashville, TN 37219-1804. ... Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection. 10 Cadillac Drive, Suite 220. Brentwood, TN 37027.

Is Tennessee an attorney closing state?

Tennessee: Real estate attorneys are not essential for closing but may be advised by your real estate agent. Texas: Real estate attorneys are not essential for closing but may be advised by your real estate agent. Utah: Real estate attorneys are not essential for closing but may be advised by your real estate agent.Apr 30, 2021

What are the duties of the attorney general?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to:Represent the United States in legal matters.Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.More items...•Oct 8, 2021

What is the purpose of disciplining a lawyer?

Disciplining a lawyer requires evidence - proof of misconduct - to justify disciplinary action. Likewise, the action of the lawyer must constitute misconduct. An honest disagreement about how a case should have been handled does not constitute misconduct, even if the outcome of the case is disappointing.

Why do lawyers lose trust?

A lawyer may lose the trust and confidence of a client for various reasons. In some cases this may result from unethical conduct. In other cases, grounds for discipline may not exist because the lawyer may not have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. Disciplining a lawyer requires evidence - proof of misconduct - to justify disciplinary ...

Authority Regarding Complaints

The boards and commissions were created to enforce their respective state licensing laws. Their power and authority exists only within the area authorized by the Tennessee Legislature.

Anonymous Complaints

Anonymous complaints containing advertisements or other independent proof of a violation will be opened as complaint cases and processed according to the normal complaint procedures (independent proof is defined as proof which does not depend solely on the statement of the anonymous complaint).

What are the rules of professional conduct in Tennessee?

These rules require attorneys to generally act with diligence and competence. For example, an attorney must not miss important deadlines, which would put a client's case at risk. He must also properly disclose fees to clients and maintain client funds in a properly designated account. Under the rules, lawyers may not divulge confidential client information without permission, or take on work that creates a conflict of interest with another client.

What is the purpose of discipline?

The main purpose of discipline is to correct the lawyer's wrongdoings. To warrant discipline, the lawyer must have engaged in professional misconduct; merely making a mistake, or having a misunderstanding or disagreement with a client are not reasons for disciplinary action.

What is Christina Whitaker's degree?

Christina Whitaker began her writing career in 2005 in newspaper journalism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from UCLA and a law degree. Her legal experience includes work in Federal Court, and civil and criminal litigation. She also maintains a blog on social, pop-culture and cultural matters.

File a Complaint

If you believe a judge has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, you may file a complaint with the Board of Judicial Conduct. Before filing a complaint, please review the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the complaint process and what the Board of Judicial Conduct may consider.

What Happens With Your Complaint

The disciplinary counsel will review your complaint and send it to a three member investigative panel to determine whether or not to investigate it further. If the complaint does not include specific facts which establish judicial misconduct, the investigative panel will dismiss the complaint and notify you and the judge of the dismissal.

How long do you have to appeal a court decision?

Usually you must appeal within 30 days of the date of the decision with which you disagreed, or you may lose your right to appeal.

What is judicial misconduct?

Judicial misconduct generally is conduct that is in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which is Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10. The Code of Judicial Conduct lists various rules about how a judge should conduct himself or herself in court and out of court.

Can a judge be removed from a case?

No. An allegation of judicial misconduct does not remove the judge from your case and is not a substitute for filing a motion to recuse in court. You should seek the advice of your attorney about the procedure for attempting to remove a judge from your case.

Can a judge change a ruling?

It is not allowed to and cannot change any rulings of the judge in your case. For example, the Board of Judicial Conduct cannot change rulings relating to domestic relations or child custody matters, change a sentence in a criminal case or decide whether trial witnesses were believable. A complaint which generally alleges ...

What to do if you have concerns about an attorney?

Criminal conduct. If you are unsure whether your concerns with an attorney involve professional misconduct, in most states you can call or email the disciplinary office and discuss the matter prior to submitting a written complaint. Contact information for attorney regulatory authorities, by jurisdiction: Alabama. Alaska.

What are some examples of attorney misconduct?

Some examples of attorney practices that violates the Rules include: Serious neglect of your case. Failure to provide an accounting of your money ...