Wilfred Shawn Clelland, a Hixson attorney, has received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Officials said, "Mr. Clelland settled a client’s personal injury claim and received settlement funds in August of 2017. The settlement proceeds were subject to outstanding medical bills and/or liens. Mr.
Clelland performed little, if any, work in negotiating the liens for over three years. He also failed to provide updates to the client, held settlement funds in his IOLTA account for three years, and provided false or misleading statements to the client.
"By these acts, Wilfred Shawn Clelland, has violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (a)(3) (communication), 1.15 (safekeeping property and funds) and 8.4 (misconduct) and is hereby Publicly Censured for this violation."
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.