CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – An attorney, who currently sits as a Montgomery County judge, licensed to practice law in Tennessee was issued a public censure by the Tennessee Supreme Court and was also required to pay the Board of Professional Responsibility’s costs and fees on June 23.
According to a news release from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, General Sessions Judge Hugh Reid Poland, III, acted as the attorney for a client who settled a custody battle through mediation.
The agreement included a new parenting and visitation schedule for a trial period of 90 days and required Poland to create the required agreed order, parenting plan and child support worksheet.
Even after a Motion to Enforce the Mediation was filed, Poland still did not draft the necessary documents or reply to messages from his opposing counsel regarding them. Ultimately, the opposing counsel filed the necessary paperwork, some of which contained inaccurate statements about Poland’s client, and Poland allowed their filing without informing or getting his client’s consent.
Finally, Poland misrepresented to his client in writing on numerous occasions that he would take specific actions to address her concerns. However, he did not follow through on these statements and eventually ceased responding to his client’s messages and requests for information.
The news release stated that Poland executed a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 8.4(c) (misrepresentation) and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice).
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.
Clarksville Now has reached out to Poland for comment.