<think>.pdf

The Hearing Panel found Respondent Carlos Eugene Moore violated Rules 1.5(a)(c), 1.8(i), and 8.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The Panel dismissed allegations under Rules 1.3 and 1.16. Moore, licensed in Mississippi and Tennessee, represented plaintiff Linda Day in a 2012 personal injury case against United Neighborhood Centers of Memphis. The parties entered a contingency fee agreement (Exhibit 1) where paragraph d stated that if Day refused a reasonable settlement offer advised by Moore's attorneys, she would be responsible for their fees unless waived. Moore recommended Day accept a $12,500 settlement offer from UNC in 2015 but she declined. Moore testified he believed the relationship was damaged and withdrew from the case, filing a motion to withdraw with lien (Exhibit 2) on March 13, 2015, citing an "impasse" due to Day refusing counsel's advice. The Panel determined paragraph d of the Fee Agreement created an improper conflict of interest under Rule 1.5(a)(c) and violated Rule 1.8(i) by failing to disclose the contingency fee arrangement's potential conflict. Consequently, Respondent received a Public Censure as the sole sanction permitted by Tennessee law.