J. Stephen Hurst Censured for Unauthorized Settlement

TN Board of Professional Responsibility

Filed March 25th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility announced that attorney J. Stephen Hurst was publicly censured by the Supreme Court of Tennessee, effective March 25, 2026. The censure stems from improperly negotiating and settling a case without client authorization and failing to inform the court of this lack of approval.

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What changed

The Supreme Court of Tennessee has issued a Public Censure against attorney J. Stephen Hurst (BPR No. 000547) for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Specifically, Mr. Hurst is censured for improperly negotiating and settling a property boundary action without his client's knowledge or authorization, and for failing to disclose this lack of client approval to the court. The violations cited include Rules 1.2 (allocation of authority), 3.3 (candor toward the tribunal), and 8.4(d) (misconduct prejudicial to the administration of justice).

A Public Censure serves as a formal rebuke and warning to the attorney. While it does not prevent Mr. Hurst from continuing to practice law, it is a significant disciplinary action that compliance officers in legal settings should note. This action highlights the critical importance of obtaining explicit client authorization for settlements and maintaining candor with the court, underscoring the potential consequences for attorneys who fail to adhere to these ethical obligations.

What to do next

Review internal procedures for client authorization of settlements
Reinforce attorney obligations regarding candor toward the tribunal
Communicate disciplinary actions to legal staff

Penalties

Public Censure (rebuke and warning)

Source document (simplified)

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: J. STEPHEN HURST, BPR NO. 000547 CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY 615-361-7500

March 25, 2026 CAMPBELL COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED Effective March 25, 2026, J. Stephen Hurst, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a Public Censure from the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Mr. Hurst represented a client in a property boundary action. During the representation, Mr. Hurst improperly negotiated and settled the pending action without his client’s knowledge or authorization and failed to inform the court when he announced the terms of the settlement that his client had not approved the settlement. By these acts, Mr. Hurst violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 (allocation of authority between client and lawyer), 3.3 (candor toward the tribunal), and 8.4(d) (misconduct prejudicial to the administration of justice), and was publicly censured for these violations. A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.

Hurst 3523-2 rel.doc