Emily Cross Morley Censured for Client Neglect and Rule Violations
Summary
The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility publicly censured attorney Emily Cross Morley (BPR #041583) on April 7, 2026 for violating Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 3.2 (expediting litigation), and 8.4 (misconduct). Morley failed to notify her client of a trial date in a personal property recovery case, and failed to communicate the adverse judgment entered in September 2024 until October 2025.
What changed
The Board of Professional Responsibility issued a Public Censure to attorney Emily Cross Morley for professional misconduct involving failures of diligence and communication in client representation. Specifically, Morley neglected to inform her client of a scheduled trial date in a personal property recovery action, resulting in a default judgment for wrongful conversion entered against the client in September 2024. Morley further failed to communicate the adverse judgment outcome to her client until October 2025, over a year after the judgment was entered.
Tennessee attorneys handling civil litigation matters should review their client communication protocols, calendar management systems, and case monitoring procedures to ensure compliance with RPC 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), and 3.2 (expediting litigation). While a Public Censure does not restrict an attorney's ability to practice law, it becomes part of their permanent disciplinary record and may be considered in future disciplinary proceedings.
What to do next
- Review client communication procedures to ensure all trial dates and case outcomes are promptly communicated in writing
- Implement calendar management controls and conflict-check procedures to prevent missed deadlines and court dates
Archived snapshot
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morley-101810-1-rel.pdf
(2026)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
10 CADILLAC DRIVE, SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: EMILY CROSS MORLEY, BPR #041583
CONTACT: MAUREEN F. HUGHES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
April 8, 2026
HAWKINS COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On April 7, 2026, Emily Cross Morley, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a Public
Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Ms. Morley was hired to represent a client after a Petition to recover Personal Property was filed against
her client. Ms. Morley failed to notify her client of the trial date. The court found that Ms. Morleyâs client
committed wrongful conversion and entered a judgement in favor of the opposing side in September of 2024. Ms.
Morley failed to communicate with her client about the outcome of the trial and judgment until October 2025.
By these acts, Ms. Morley has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 1.4
(communication), 3.2 (expediting litigation), and 8.4 (misconduct) and is hereby Publicly Censured for these
violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Morley 101810-1 rel.doc
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