Opinion ID: 2677168
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Public Censure vs. Private Discipline

Text: Mr. Long argues that the Panel acted arbitrarily or capriciously or upon an unlawful procedure because the Panel should have issued a form of private discipline instead of a public censure. Mr. Long notes that at the time of his alleged misconduct, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9 permitted a hearing panel to impose a private reprimand. Disciplinary Counsel agrees that the Panel could have considered a private reprimand but argues that Mr. Long has failed to demonstrate that the Panel acted arbitrarily or capriciously or upon an unlawful procedure by imposing a public censure. Mr. Long argued to the Panel that if any discipline was warranted, he should receive a private sanction rather than a public one. He cites nothing in the record to indicate that the Panel did not consider his argument. Additionally, although the Panel did not specifically reference the applicable American Bar Association Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions (“ABA Standards”) in its written Order imposing a public censure, the Panel’s Order makes clear that ABA Standards 4.13, 4.43, and 7.35 —each of which recommends a presumptive 5 ABA Standard 4.13: “Reprimand is generally appropriate when a lawyer is negligent in dealing with client property and causes injury or potential injury to a client.” ABA Standard 4.43: “Reprimand is generally appropriate when a lawyer is negligent and does not act with reasonable diligence in representing a client, and causes injury or potential injury to a client.” ABA Standard 7.3: “Reprimand is generally appropriate when a lawyer negligently engages in conduct that is a violation of a duty owed to the profession, and causes injury or potential injury to a client, the public, (continued...) -5- penalty of a public censure—applied to Mr. Long’s misconduct. Accordingly, we conclude that the Panel’s decision to impose a public censure was neither arbitrary nor capricious, nor based on an unlawful procedure.