Tennessee attorney, Elliott J. Schuchardt, has asked the Tennessee Supreme Court to modify its method of funding the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. Schuchardt submitted the petition on March 1, 2023. In the Petition, Schuchardt argues that Tennessee's current method of funding its Board of Professional Responsibility is unconstitutional because the State imposes large "costs" upon attorneys seeking to defend their licenses to practice law in Tennessee. In Schuchardt's case, the Board has asked Schuchardt to pay at least $22,000 for the right to defend his license to practice law. Ultimately, these costs could be much higher. Schuchardt contests the Board's case. He has argued in federal court that the case was filed by counsel for the State for political reasons. In his petition, Schuchardt argues that the Tennessee's method of funding the Board violates the due process clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, because the exorbitant fees essentially "close the courthouse door" to good faith litigants. Schuchardt also contends that Tennesssee's method of imposing high fees to respondents violates the Excessive Fine Clause of the Tennessee and United States constitutions. Tennessee's Supreme Court will now review the petition. Schuchardt will have the right to ask the United States Supreme Court to review the State's decision.