ÿWPC- ÁhÁ®dðUäâ¶§þåp[Hñävýߨ«;(默ж)[£f‚Ùp뜺ì¶sæLÎcwqQ1mð1#á¯1‚ì;Ü“ÅëBÝ'³Öš\2!X’ƒñéåú2Öô áòdÊ» N”o í? Uí…†'lEò4 ^DBKD‚)ÉŸk±è¥àô\Î|¿ÙžW<‘±)êü¢L¥ ƒ‡ôÞçGAæz€ %à;éÈ…Ð^õëô)¨¯ØœÚJ÷&jh™–‘9 ç•¬Í«w8ÖÁ-ÑÁc£Ç7‡è=púNDÅÏ„]vý÷9àÒe ›w ÑŽ]¡•~Šz¨6˃à<ÑÖĉN#2>:'i^~9=üø»«þ&Y¢J6]hEµœ|n'eLðý½ÿáeBàÛù“ØŒ,ŽQ·Ì]…âhvØÇóhs)¦¢K¨±%%0±Ñ Âé*ùlTdêÀÈ…ÃçëBß^öŒPˆOÿ²ÚP“‰þO¨õ›h“CÀg ·½ød»¾X€Kn¡a±qnLyˆç~”¹UÎ2ÛY}…|3@5ãØ[¸@Ê%b(v)…:×"ä+Û÷#ð{O¾z+ÕLwÉ`Bb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ U:Ð #Á ÆË Æ‘ ÆW ÆãNô 0Dö:EB 1uD 72¹šë 0c…U:èèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèb"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 0ë**** B 0¤2 D3Ö D-  0K66 ASÆÔ 0¤š 0D> A«‚»P{a-s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularš‚,- 3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ,‘Î~AZ‹"Arial Regular˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 Ý ƒRW<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¶mò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€full€text€of€the€disciplinary€rules€cited€by€the€hearing€committee€are€included€in€the€appendix€to€thisÐ ° Ðopinion.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó 3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i) Ý ƒRW<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¶mò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Briefly€stated,€the€complaint€alleged€that€a€worthless€check€had€been€written€to€the€defendant,€Monroe€CountyÐ ° ÐFarmersðð€Co„op,€using€Turnerððs€business€account.€€An€employee€of€the€Co„op€sought€a€worthless€check€warrant€againstÐ tÄ ÐCarolyn€Turner,€even€though€the€check€apparently€had€been€signed€by€Turnerððs€son€and€not€by€Turner€personally.€€TheÐ 8ˆ Ðgeneral€sessions€court€clerk€issued€the€warrant€after€consulting€with€a€general€sessions€court€judge€about€the€matter.(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à,ZýµAZ‹"Arial Regular- ù-(|G2W<$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¶mò»»Ô d(|3AA$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3AA$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼5»»»ÔÑ8€OXXdì»»d8Ñà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡ît5ÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼5»îît #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓSeptember€5,€2002€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XOX»¼5ÔÌò òÔ#†¼5»XXOó#ÔHUBERT€PATTY€v.€BOARD€OF€PROFESSIONAL€RESPONSIBILITYÔ‡XOX»¼5Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Ô_ÔBlountÔ_Ô€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€01„096€€€€€€Frank€V.€Williams,€III,€Sitting€by€Designation€Ð æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2002„00499„SC„R3„CV€„€Filed€November€1,€2002Ð ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÌÔ#†¼5»XXOm#ÔÔ€XOX»¼5ÔThis€is€a€direct€appeal€in€a€Board€of€Professional€Responsibility€case.€€A€hearing€committee€foundÐ d´ Ðthat€the€petitioner€violated€four€disciplinary€rules€arising€out€of€client€representation,€imposed€a€one„Ð P  Ðyear€suspension€from€the€practice€of€law,€and€ordered€the€petitioner€to€complete€courses€in€ethics€andÐ <Œ Ðcivil€procedure€at€an€accredited€law€school€before€applying€for€reinstatement.€€The€chancery€courtÐ (x Ðupheld€the€hearing€committeeððs€findings€and€conclusions€with€respect€to€the€violations,€but€reducedÐ d Ðthe€suspension€to€60€days€and€vacated€the€requirement€for€law€school€education.Ð P ÐÌAfter€our€review€of€the€record€and€applicable€authority,€we€conclude€that€the€chancery€court€properlyÐ Ø( Ðaffirmed€the€hearing€committeeððs€findings€with€regard€to€the€petitionerððs€violations€of€theÐ Ä Ðdisciplinary€rules,€but€we€modify€the€length€of€the€suspension€to€four€months€and€the€condition€forÐ ° Ðreinstatement€by€requiring€the€petitioner€to€complete€six€hours€of€continuing€legal€education€in€ethicsÐ œì Ðand€twelve€hours€of€continuing€legal€education€in€courses€related€to€civil€trial€practice€or€civilÐ ˆØ Ðlitigation,€in€addition€to€the€three€hours€of€ethics€and€twelve€hours€of€general€credit€required€annuallyÐ tÄ Ðof€attorneys€in€this€State.€The€judgment€is,€therefore,€affirmed€as€modified.€Ð `° ÐÓªÓÌò òSupreme€Court€Rule€9,€ðð1.3;€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€Affirmed,€Ð 8!ˆ  Ðas€ModifiedÐ $"t! Ðó óÌòòÓ  ÓE.€Riley€Anderson,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òò€Frank€D.€Ô_ÔDrowotaÔ_Ô,€III,€C.J.,Ð ü#L# Ðóóandòò€Ô_ÔAdolphoÔ_Ô€A.€Birch,€Jr.,€Janice€M.€Holder,óó€and€òòWilliam€M.€Barker,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð è$8 $ ÐÌHubert€D.€Patty,€Ô_ÔMaryvilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€Pro€Se.Ð À&"& ÐÌJames€A.€Ô_ÔVickÔ_Ô,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Board€of€Professional€Responsibility.Ð ˜(è#( ÐÓ‘ ÓÌÌà@@OO&ìàò òOPINIONó óÐ \+¬&+ ÐÌòòóóÓ  ÓÐ  4-„(-ý ÐÔ_Ôà@%ìàò òBACKGROUNDˆÐ ° ÐÌó óà  àThe€petitioner,€Hubert€Patty,€received€his€Tennessee€license€to€practice€law€in€1954.€€TheÐ ˆØ Ðpresent€disciplinary€proceedings€against€Patty€arose€out€of€his€legal€representation€of€two€clients€inÐ tÄ Ðunrelated€matters.€€We€summarize€the€facts€of€each€case€below.Ð `° ÐÌà@ãã!ìàòòBoruff€ProceedingsˆÐ 8 ˆ ÐóóÌà  àPatty€appeared€in€the€Circuit€Court€of€Blount€County€on€October€26,€1998,€and€requested€thatÐ  ` Ðhe€replace€the€public€defender€as€defense€counsel€for€Douglas€Boruff,€who€was€charged€with€rapeÐ ü L  Ðof€a€child.€€In€the€course€of€his€request,€Patty€told€the€trial€court€that€he€would€not€be€prepared€forÐ è 8  Ðtrial,€which€was€already€set€for€November€12,€1998,€and€asked€for€a€continuance.€€The€trial€court€toldÐ Ô$  ÐPatty€that€he€would€not€be€permitted€to€substitute€as€counsel€if€doing€so€would€require€a€continuance.€Ð À  ÐAccordingly,€the€trial€court€refused€to€sign€an€agreed€order€substituting€Patty€as€counsel€because€theÐ ¬ü  Ðorder€did€not€state€that€the€case€would€be€tried€as€set€on€November€12,€1998.€€An€agreed€order,Ð ˜è  Ðhowever,€was€later€submitted€by€Patty€and€entered€by€the€court€that€expressly€stated€the€case€wouldÐ „Ô  Ðbe€tried€on€November€12,€1998.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àSix€days€before€trial,€on€November€6,€1998,€Patty€filed€a€motion€to€continue€the€case€on€theÐ H˜ Ðground€that€he€was€unprepared€for€trial.€€Thereafter,€on€the€day€of€trial,€Patty€appeared€in€court€andÐ 4„ Ðrequested€that€the€motion€for€continuance€be€granted.€€Although€the€trial€court€granted€the€motionÐ  p Ðand€continued€the€trial,€it€found€Patty€in€contempt€of€court,€fined€him€$50.00,€and€reported€the€matterÐ  \ Ðto€the€office€of€Disciplinary€Counsel.€€The€trial€court€found€as€follows:€€Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à[T]he€Court€finds€that€from€what€youððve€told€me€here€todayÐ Ð  Ðthat€you€knew€on€the€26òòthóó€of€October,€by€having€talked€with€[theÐ ¼  ÐPublic€Defender]€and€seeing€the€file,€that€not€enough€work€had€beenÐ ¨ø Ðdone€for€you€to€possibly€be€able€to€try€this€case€on€November€12òòthóó.€€.Ð ”ä Ð.€.€Ð€Ð` x` x Ðà  àÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à€The€Court€further€finds€that€you€signed€this€order€on€the€29òòthóóÐ X ¨ Ðday€of€October€of€ðð98,€.€.€.€saying€that€you€agreed€to€represent€theÐ D!” ÐDefendant€...€at€trial€on€November€12òòthóó€of€ðð98€and€you€knew€at€thatÐ 0"€  Ðtime€when€you€signed€that€order€and€you€had€known€for€at€least€threeÐ #l! Ðor€four€days€that€you€could€not€be€ready€for€trial.€Ð$X"` x` x Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à.€.€.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à[I]n€order€to€be€his€lawyer,€you€signed€an€order€agreeing€toÐ ¸'#& Ðsomething€that€you€knew€when€you€signed€it€that€you€could€notÐ ¤(ô#' Ðperform.€.€.€.Ð)à$(` x` x Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) ÐPatty€appealed€his€contempt€conviction€to€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals;€€the€appeals€court€foundÐ ° Ðâ âthat€the€evidence€was€sufficient€to€support€contempt,€but€reversed€the€conviction€on€proceduralÐ œì Ðgrounds.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà@ÝÝ!ìàòòTurner€ProceedingsˆÐ `° ÐóóÌà  àOn€July€16,€1997,€Patty€filed€a€complaint€for€malicious€prosecution€and€outrageous€conductÐ 8 ˆ Ðon€behalf€of€his€client,€Carolyn€Turner,€in€the€Circuit€Court€of€Blount€County.€€The€complaint,€whichÐ $ t Ðsought€damages€in€the€amount€of€$7,500,000.00,€was€based€on€a€worthless€check€charge€againstÐ  ` ÐTurner€that€had€been€dismissed.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€defendants€responded€by€filing€a€motion€for€summaryÐ ü L  Ðjudgment€and€a€motion€to€dismiss€as€a€sanction€for€a€discovery€violation.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àOn€April€14,€1998,€the€circuit€court€heard€the€motions€and€dismissed€the€complaint€on€twoÐ À  Ðgrounds:€€(1)€that€there€were€no€disputed€issues€of€material€fact;€and€(2)€that€dismissal€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðappropriate€as€a€discovery€sanction€based€on€false€or€misleading€discovery€responses€provided€byÐ ˜è  ÐPattyððs€client.€€Patty€then€filed€a€motion€to€rehear€the€order€of€dismissal€without€alleging€anyÐ „Ô  Ðadditional€factual€or€legal€grounds.€€The€trial€court€denied€the€motion€after€finding€that€Patty€lackedÐ pÀ Ðð ða€good€faith€basis€in€fact€and€law€upon€which€to€file€the€Motion.ðð€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€11.02€(2)Ð \¬ Ðand€(3).€€Patty€then€appealed€to€the€Court€of€Appeals,€which€affirmed€the€dismissal€of€the€complaintÐ H˜ Ðand€remanded€the€case€for€the€trial€court€to€award€damages€for€the€filing€of€a€frivolous€appeal€in€theÐ 4„ Ðappellate€court.€€The€trial€court€subsequently€approved€a€settlement€in€the€amount€of€$3,000€asÐ  p Ðdamages€for€the€filing€of€the€frivolous€appeal.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àOn€June€18,€1998,€Patty€filed€a€suit€in€federal€district€court€on€behalf€of€Carolyn€TurnerÐ ä4 Ðclaiming€a€violation€of€42€U.S.C.€ðð€1983€based€on€the€same€grounds€asserted€in€the€complaint€filedÐ Ð  Ðin€circuit€court.€€The€suit€named€several€additional€defendants,€including€Blount€County€and€theÐ ¼  Ðgeneral€sessions€court€clerk€who€issued€the€worthless€check€warrant,€and€sought€$11,000,000€inÐ ¨ø Ðdamages.€€Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àThe€district€court€granted€summary€judgment€to€all€of€the€defendants€after€finding€that€theÐ l¼ Ðgeneral€sessions€court€clerk€had€absolute€immunity,€that€the€county€was€not€liable€under€principlesÐ X ¨ Ðof€òòrespondeat€superioróó,€and€that€the€remaining€defendants€were€not€state€actors.€€The€district€courtÐ D!” Ðalso€made€the€following€findings:€€òòóóÐ 0"€  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à[P]laintiffððs€counsel€filed€this€frivolous€lawsuit€against€theÐ $X" ÐBlount€County€defendants.€€The€court€can€draw€no€other€conclusionÐ ô$D # Ðother€than€that€plaintiffððs€attorney€has€filed€this€complaint€for€anÐ à%0!$ Ðimproper€purpose,€òòi.e.óó,€to€continue€to€harass€the€Blount€CountyÐ Ì&"% Ðdefendants.€€The€complaint€contains€claims€and€other€legalÐ ° Ðcontentions€that€are€not€warranted€by€existing€law€or€by€a€non„Ð œì Ðfrivolous€argument€for€the€extension,€modification,€or€reversal€ofÐ ˆØ Ðexisting€law€or€the€establishment€of€new€law.€.€.€.€€As€a€directÐ tÄ Ðconsequence€of€plaintiffððs€counselððs€actions,€plaintiff€has€wrongfullyÐ `° Ðnamed€.€.€.€defendants€in€this€litigation.€òòÐL œ` x` x ÐÌSeeóóFed.€R.€Civ.€P.€11.€€The€district€court€then€imposed€sanctions€against€Patty€that€included€theÐ $ t Ðpayment€of€costs€and€attorneysðð€fees€in€the€amount€of€$€2,811.30€and€a€one„year€suspension€fromÐ  ` Ðpracticing€law€in€the€District€Court€for€the€Eastern€District€of€Tennessee€due€to€the€frivolous€natureÐ ü L  Ðof€the€lawsuit.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà@ìàòòDisciplinary€ProceedingsóóˆÐ À  ÐÌà  àAs€a€result€of€the€report€of€the€trial€judge€to€the€Board€of€Professional€Responsibility,€anÐ ˜è  Ðinvestigation€was€made€and€a€hearing€committee€of€the€Board€was€convened.€€It€found€that€PattyððsÐ „Ô  Ðconduct€in€the€above€court€proceedings€violated€the€following€disciplinary€rules€found€in€Rule€8,Ð pÀ ÐRules€of€the€Supreme€Court:€€DR€1„102,€misconduct€in€violating€a€disciplinary€rule;€DR€6„101,Ð \¬ Ðfailing€to€act€competently;€DR€7„102,€failing€to€represent€a€client€within€the€bounds€of€the€law;€andÐ H˜ ÐDR€7„106,€engaging€in€improper€trial€conduct.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€hearing€committee€cited€Pattyððs€previousÐ 4„ Ðdisciplinary€history€as€aggravating€factors,€which€included€the€following:€a€private€admonition€onÐ  p ÐFebruary€3,€1986€for€neglect;€a€private€reprimand€on€March€8,€1998€for€obtaining€a€loan€from€aÐ  \ Ðclient;€a€private€admonition€on€July€13,€1989€for€neglect;€a€public€censure€on€February€15,€1995;€andÐ øH Ða€private€reprimand€on€February€15,€1995€for€conflict€of€interest€and€neglect.€€It€therefore€orderedÐ ä4 Ðthat€Patty€be€suspended€from€the€practice€of€law€for€one€year€and€that€any€reinstatement€after€theÐ Ð  Ðone„year€period€was€conditioned€on€his€completion€of€ð ða€civil€procedure€course€and€an€ethics€courseÐ ¼  Ðat€an€accredited€law€school.ððÐ ¨ø ÐÌà  àPatty€appealed€the€hearing€committeeððs€order€to€the€Chancery€Court€for€Blount€County.€€TheÐ €Ð Ðchancellor€held€a€hearing€and€affirmed€the€hearing€committeeððs€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€ofÐ l¼ Ðlaw.€€The€chancellor€determined,€however,€that€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àthe€appropriate€sanction€for€the€[€]€violations€of€the€disciplinary€rulesÐ 0"€  Ðby€the€Petitioner,€given€all€the€circumstances€and€remedial€actionsÐ #l! Ðtaken€by€the€courts€in€which€the€Petitionerððs€conduct€occurred,€is€aÐ $X" Ðsuspension€of€the€Petitionerððs€license€to€practice€law€for€a€period€ofÐ ô$D # Ðsixty€days.Ðà%0!$` x` x ÐÔ_Ôâ âÐ Ì&"% ÐThe€chancellor€also€vacated€the€portion€of€the€hearing€committeeððs€order€requiring€Patty€to€completeÐ ° Ðcourses€in€ethics€and€civil€procedure€at€an€accredited€law€school€as€a€condition€for€reinstatement.€Ð œì ÐPatty€then€appealed€directly€to€this€Court.€€òòSeeóóRule€9,€ðð€1.3,€Rules€of€the€Supreme€Court.Ð ˆØ Ðâ âÌà@dd!ìàò òSTANDARD€OF€REVIEWˆÐ `° Ðó óÌà  àWhen€a€party€appeals€the€judgment€of€a€Board€of€Professional€Responsibility€hearingÐ 8 ˆ Ðcommittee,€the€trial€court€shall€review€the€evidence€before€the€hearing€committee,€as€well€as€theÐ $ t Ðproof€either€party€may€introduce,€and€shall€determine€the€facts€by€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€Ð  ` ÐRule€9,€ðð€1.3,€Rules€of€the€Supreme€Court.€€The€trial€courtððs€judgment€may€be€appealed€directly€toÐ ü L  Ðthis€Court.€€òòId.óó€€Our€review€of€the€decision€is€òòde€novoóó€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€unless€theÐ è 8  Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€is€contrary€to€the€trial€courtððs€action.€€òòMurphy€v.€Board€ofÐ Ô$  ÐProfessional€Responsibilityóó,€924€S.W.2d€643€(Tenn.€1996).€€Ð À  ÐÌà@òò&ìàò òANALYSISˆÐ ˜è  Ðó óÌà  àPatty€argues€that€his€representation€of€his€clients€did€not€warrant€a€finding€that€he€violatedÐ pÀ Ðthe€disciplinary€rules€and€did€not€warrant€the€imposition€of€any€sanctions.€€Patty€maintains,€forÐ \¬ Ðexample,€that€he€was€legally€and€ethically€required€to€seek€a€continuance€in€the€Ô_ÔBoruffÔ_Ô€criminalÐ H˜ Ðmatter€because€he€was€not€prepared€for€trial€on€November€12,€1998.€€He€likewise€contends€that€heÐ 4„ Ðwas€ð ðfully€justifiedðð€in€seeking€state€and€federal€relief€in€the€Turner€civil€proceedings€and€that€theÐ  p Ðdistrict€court€was€biased€against€him.€€The€Board€of€Professional€Responsibility€responds€that€theÐ  \ Ðevidence€in€the€record€supports€the€findings€and€sanctions€imposed€by€the€hearing€committee.€Ð øH ÐÌà  àAfter€reviewing€the€record,€we€conclude€that€the€evidence€preponderates€in€favor€of€theÐ Ð  Ðchancery€courtððs€Ô_ÔaffirmanceÔ_Ô€of€the€factual€findings€and€conclusions€made€by€the€hearing€committee.€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àFor€example,€in€the€Ô_ÔBoruffÔ_Ô€matter,€Patty€correctly€states€that€he€had€a€legal€and€ethical€dutyÐ ”ä Ðto€zealously€represent€his€client.€€He€fails€to€acknowledge,€however,€that€he€was€told€by€the€trialÐ €Ð Ðcourt€that€he€would€not€be€permitted€to€substitute€as€counsel€unless€he€was€prepared€for€trial€onÐ l¼ ÐNovember€12,€1998.€€Moreover,€Patty€conceded€to€the€trial€court€that€he€submitted€the€agreed€orderÐ X ¨ Ðstating€that€the€case€would€be€tried€on€November€12,€1998,€even€though€he€knew€at€that€time€thatÐ D!” Ðhe€would€not€be€prepared€for€trial.€€Accordingly,€we€agree€with€the€chancellor€that€the€evidenceÐ 0"€  Ðpreponderated€in€favor€of€a€finding€that€Patty€violated€the€agreed€order€and€that€his€conduct€alsoÐ #l! Ðviolated€DR€1„102,€DR€6„101,€DR€7„102,€and€DR€7„106€for€the€reasons€found€by€the€hearingÐ $X" Ðcommittee.€€€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àIn€the€Turner€matter,€Patty€persisted€in€filing€and€pursuing€frivolous€claims€that€twice€led€toÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€imposition€of€sanctions€against€him€under€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€11€and€Fed.€R.€Civ.€P.€11.€€In€the€stateÐ ¸'#& Ðclaim,€Patty€filed€a€petition€to€rehear€even€though€the€complaint€had€been€dismissed€on€two€groundsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðand€Patty€asserted€no€new€factual€or€legal€grounds€for€rehearing.€€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àIn€the€federal€claim,€Patty€made€essentially€the€same€assertions€only€with€the€addition€of€newÐ ° Ðâ âdefendants.€€Summary€judgment€for€all€of€the€defendants€was€granted€and€sanctions€were€imposedÐ œì Ðupon€Patty€by€the€federal€district€court.€€Although€Patty€argues€that€the€federal€district€court€imposedÐ ˆØ Ðsanctions€because€it€was€biased,€the€contention€has€absolutely€no€support€in€the€record.€€Accordingly,Ð tÄ Ðwe€agree€with€the€chancery€court€that€the€evidence€preponderated€in€favor€of€the€findings€of€theÐ `° Ðhearing€committee.€€€Ð L œ ÐÌà  àFinally,€Patty€argues€that€the€chancery€court€implicitly€found€that€the€evidence€wasÐ $ t Ðinsufficient€to€support€a€finding€that€he€engaged€in€conduct€that€violated€any€of€the€disciplinary€rules.€Ð  ` ÐThe€chancellor€said€that€Pattyððs€conduct€in€the€Ô_ÔBoruffÔ_Ô€and€Turner€matters,€ð ðstanding€alone,ðð€wouldÐ ü L  Ðnot€support€a€suspension€of€his€license€for€any€period€of€time.€€Although€we€disagree€with€theÐ è 8  Ðchancellorððs€observation,€it€is€clear€from€the€record€that€the€chancellor€did€not€say€that€PattyððsÐ Ô$  Ðconduct€failed€to€support€a€finding€that€he€engaged€in€conduct€that€violated€the€disciplinary€rules.€Ð À  ÐIndeed,€the€chancery€court€upheld€the€hearing€committeeððs€findings€and€conclusions€on€all€issuesÐ ¬ü  Ðexcept€for€the€length€and€nature€of€the€sanctions€imposed.€€In€short,€the€evidence€preponderates€inÐ ˜è  Ðfavor€of€the€chancery€courtððs€judgment€affirming€the€factual€findings€made€by€the€hearing€committeeÐ „Ô  Ðwith€regard€to€Pattyððs€violations€of€the€cited€disciplinary€rules.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àWith€respect€to€the€appropriate€sanctions€to€be€imposed,€we€agree€that€some€period€ofÐ H˜ Ðsuspension€is€justified€due€to€the€nature€of€the€circumstances,€the€nature€of€Pattyððs€conduct,€PattyððsÐ 4„ Ðunwillingness€to€acknowledge€any€wrongdoing,€and€the€existence€of€Pattyððs€prior€disciplinaryÐ  p Ðhistory.€€We€disagree,€however,€with€a€one„year€suspension€inasmuch€as€the€hearing€committeeÐ  \ Ðappeared€to€give€little€or€no€weight€to€the€fact€that€Patty€was€sanctioned€for€his€conduct€by€the€courtsÐ øH Ðin€which€his€conduct€took€place.€€In€addition,€we€believe€that€the€requirement€for€taking€civilÐ ä4 Ðprocedure€and€ethics€courses€at€an€accredited€law€school€before€Patty€may€apply€for€reinstatementÐ Ð  Ðwas€too€strong€a€penalty€and€amounted€to€a€suspension€for€an€indefinite€and€perhaps€permanentÐ ¼  Ðlength€of€time.€€€€€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€in€light€of€the€record€as€a€whole,€we€modify€Pattyððs€suspension€from€theÐ €Ð Ðpractice€of€law€to€four€months.€€Moreover,€we€modify€the€condition€for€his€reinstatement€toÐ l¼ Ðcompleting€six€hours€of€continuing€legal€education€in€ethics€and€twelve€hours€of€continuing€legalÐ X ¨ Ðeducation€in€courses€related€to€civil€trial€practice€or€civil€litigation.€€These€credit€hours€shall€beÐ D!” Ðcompleted€in€courses€accredited€by€the€Tennessee€Commission€on€Continuing€Legal€Education€andÐ 0"€  Ðshall€be€in€addition€to€the€three€hours€of€ethics€and€twelve€hours€of€general€credit€required€annuallyÐ #l! Ðof€attorneys€in€this€State.Ð $X" ÐÌà@--%ìàò òCONCLUSIONó ó€ˆÐ à%0!$ ÐÌà  àAfter€our€review€of€the€record,€we€affirm€the€chancery€courtððs€Ô_ÔaffirmanceÔ_Ô€of€the€hearingÐ ¼' #& Ðcommitteeððs€findings€and€conclusions€with€regard€to€the€petitionerððs€violations€of€the€disciplinaryÐ ¨(ø#' Ðrules,€but€we€modify€the€length€of€the€suspension€to€four€months.€€In€addition,€we€modify€theÐ ”)ä$( Ðcondition€for€reinstatement€by€requiring€the€petitioner€to€complete€six€hours€of€continuing€legalÐ €*Ð%) Ðeducation€in€ethics€and€twelve€hours€of€continuing€legal€education€in€courses€related€to€civil€trialÐ l+¼&* Ðpractice€or€civil€litigation€in€seminars€accredited€by€the€Tennessee€Commission€on€Continuing€LegalÐ ° ÐEducation.€€These€hours€shall€be€in€addition€to€the€three€hours€of€ethics€and€twelve€hours€of€generalÐ œì Ðcredit€required€annually€of€attorneys€in€this€State.€€The€judgment€is,€therefore,€affirmed€as€modified,Ð ˆØ Ðand€the€costs€of€appeal€are€assessed€equally€between€the€parties.€Ð tÄ ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_______________________________Ð 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àE.€RILEY€ANDERSON,€JUSTICEÐ $ t ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ h+¸&* Їò òÔ‡ XQB XXXOÔÔ‡ „¦Y „ X XQBÔà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àAPPENDIXó óÔ#† XQB X „ „¦YáY#ÔÐ ˜è  Ðò òà@[ [ ìà(Excerpts€from€Rule€8,€Rules€of€the€Supreme€Court)ó óˆÐ  üL  Ðò òÔ#†XOX X XQBÂY#ÔÔ‡XQB XXXOÔDR€1-102.€MisconductÐ ° Ðó óÌà  à(A)€A€lawyer€shall€not:Ð ‚Ò ÐÌà  à(1)€Violate€a€Disciplinary€Rule.Ð Nž ÐÌà  à(2)€Circumvent€a€Disciplinary€Rule€through€actions€of€another.Ð  j ÐÌà  à(3)€Engage€in€illegal€conduct€involving€moral€turpitude.Ð æ 6 ÐÌà  à(4)€Engage€in€conduct€involving€dishonesty,€fraud,€deceit,€or€misrepresentation.Ð ²   ÐÌà  à(5)€Engage€in€conduct€that€is€prejudicial€to€the€administration€of€justice.Ð ~Î  ÐÌà  à(6)€Engage€in€any€other€conduct€that€adversely€reflects€on€his€fitness€to€practice€law.Ð Jš  ÐÌà  à(7)€Willfully€refuse€to€comply€with€a€court€order€entered€in€a€case€in€which€the€lawyerÐ f Ðis€a€party.Ð üL ÐÌ[Amended€October€9,€1997.]€Ð È ÐÌÌÌò òDR€6-101.€Failing€to€Act€CompetentlyÐ `° Ðó óÌà  à(A)€A€lawyer€shall€not:Ð 2‚ ÐÌà  à(1)€Handle€a€legal€matter€which€the€lawyer€knows€or€should€know€that€the€lawyer€isÐ þN Ðnot€competent€to€handle,€without€associating€with€a€lawyer€who€is€competent€to€handle€it.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  à(2)€Handle€a€legal€matter€without€preparation€adequate€in€the€circumstances.Ð ° ÐÌà  à(3)€Neglect€a€legal€matter€entrusted€to€the€lawyer.€Ð |!Ì  ÐÌÌÌò òDR€7-102.€Representing€a€Client€Within€the€Bounds€of€the€LawÐ %d $ Ðó óÌà  à(A)€In€the€representation€of€a€client,€a€lawyer€shall€not:Ð æ&6"& ÐÌà  à(1)€File€a€suit,€assert€a€position,€conduct€a€defense,€delay€a€trial,€or€take€other€actionÐ ²($( Ðon€behalf€of€the€client€when€the€lawyer€knows€or€when€it€is€obvious€that€such€action€wouldÐ ˜)è$) Ðserve€merely€to€harass€or€maliciously€injure€another.Ð ~*Î%* ÐÐ d+´&+ Ðà  à(2)€Knowingly€advance€a€claim€or€defense€that€is€unwarranted€under€existing€law,Ð ° Ðexcept€that€the€lawyer€may€advance€such€claim€or€defense€if€it€can€be€supported€by€goodÐ –æ Ðfaith€argument€for€an€extension,€modification,€or€reversal€of€existing€law.Ð |Ì ÐÌà  à(3)€Conceal€or€knowingly€fail€to€disclose€that€which€the€lawyer€is€required€by€law€toÐ H˜ Ðreveal.Ð . ~ ÐÌà  à(4)€Knowingly€use€perjured€testimony€or€false€evidence.Ð ú J ÐÌà  à(5)€Knowingly€make€a€false€statement€of€law€or€fact.Ð Æ   ÐÌà  à(6)€Participate€in€the€creation€or€preservation€of€evidence€when€the€lawyer€knowsÐ ’â  Ðor€it€is€obvious€that€the€evidence€is€false.Ð xÈ  ÐÌà  à(7)€Counsel€or€assist€the€client€in€conduct€that€the€lawyer€knows€to€be€illegal€orÐ D”  Ðfraudulent.Ð *z  ÐÌà  à(8)€Knowingly€engage€in€other€illegal€conduct€or€conduct€contrary€to€a€DisciplinaryÐ öF ÐRule.Ð Ü, ÐÌà  à(B)€A€lawyer€who€receives€information€clearly€establishing€that:Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  à(1)€The€lawyer's€client€has,€in€the€course€of€the€representation,€perpetrated€a€fraudÐ tÄ Ðupon€a€person€or€tribunal,€shall€promptly€call€upon€the€client€to€rectify€the€same,€and€if€theÐ Zª Ðclient€refuses€or€is€unable€to€do€so,€the€lawyer€shall€reveal€the€fraud€to€the€affected€personÐ @ Ðor€tribunal,€except€when€the€information€is€protected€as€a€privileged€communication.Ð &v ÐÌà  à(2)€A€person€other€than€the€client€has€perpetrated€a€fraud€upon€a€tribunal€shallÐ òB Ðpromptly€reveal€the€fraud€to€the€tribunal.Ð Ø( ÐÌ[Amended€May€18,€1995;€€September€11,€1995.]€Ð ¤ô ÐÌÌÌò òDR€7-106.€Trial€ConductÐ <#Œ" Ðó óÌà  à(A)€A€lawyer€shall€not€disregard€or€advise€the€client€to€disregard€a€standing€rule€ofÐ %^ $ Ða€tribunal€or€a€ruling€of€a€tribunal€made€in€the€course€of€a€proceeding,€but€may€takeÐ ô%D!% Ðappropriate€steps€in€good€faith€to€test€the€validity€of€such€rule€or€ruling.Ð Ú&*"& ÐÌà  à(B)€In€presenting€a€matter€to€a€tribunal,€a€lawyer€shall€disclose:Ð ¦(ö#( ÐÌà  à(1)€Legal€authority€in€the€controlling€jurisdiction€known€to€the€lawyer€to€be€directlyÐ r*Â%* Ðadverse€to€the€position€of€the€client€and€which€is€not€disclosed€by€opposing€counsel.Ð X+¨&+ ÐÐ >,Ž', Ðà  à(2)€Unless€privileged€or€irrelevant,€the€identities€of€the€clients€the€lawyer€representsÐ ° Ðand€of€the€persons€who€employed€the€lawyer.Ð –æ ÐÌà  à(C)€In€appearing€in€a€professional€capacity€before€a€tribunal,€a€lawyer€shall€not:Ð b² ÐÌà  à(1)€State€or€allude€to€any€matter€that€the€lawyer€has€no€reasonable€basis€to€believeÐ . ~ Ðis€relevant€to€the€case€or€that€will€not€be€supported€by€admissible€evidence.Ð  d ÐÌà  à(2)€Ask€any€question€that€the€lawyer€has€no€reasonable€basis€to€believe€is€relevantÐ à 0 Ðto€the€case€and€that€is€intended€to€degrade€a€witness€or€other€person.Ð Æ   ÐÌà  à(3)€Assert€the€lawyer's€personal€knowledge€of€the€facts€in€issue,€except€whenÐ ’â  Ðtestifying€as€a€witness.Ð xÈ  ÐÌà  à(4)€Assert€the€lawyer's€personal€opinion€as€to€the€justness€of€a€cause,€as€to€theÐ D”  Ðcredibility€of€a€witness,€as€to€the€culpability€of€a€civil€litigant,€or€as€to€the€guilt€or€innocenceÐ *z  Ðof€an€accused;€€but€a€lawyer€may€argue,€on€the€lawyer's€analysis€of€the€evidence,€for€anyÐ ` Ðposition€or€conclusion€with€respect€to€the€matters€stated€herein.Ð öF ÐÌà  à(5)€Fail€to€comply€with€known€local€customs€of€courtesy€or€practice€of€the€bar€or€aÐ Â Ðparticular€tribunal€without€giving€to€opposing€counsel€timely€notice€of€an€intent€not€toÐ ¨ø Ðcomply.Ð ŽÞ ÐÌÒe°Òà  à(6)€Engage€in€undignified€or€discourteous€conduct€which€is€degrading€to€a€tribunal.Ð Zª ÐÌà  à(7)€Intentionally€or€habitually€violate€any€established€rule€of€procedure€or€of€evidence.€Ð &v ÐÌÔ#†XOX XXQBK[#Ô