BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (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: MARGARET JANE POWERS, BPR #007328
CONTACT: STEVEN J. CHRISTOPHER
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
April 13, 2026
CUMBERLAND COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On April 13, 2026, Margaret Jane Powers, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Ms. Powers agreed to represent a client in probating an estate. Ms. Powersâ usual practice was to charge
a security retainer and obtain the clientâs signature on a fee agreement confirming that the retainer was
nonrefundable. Due to an inadvertent office error, no fee agreement was signed by the client. After undertaking
the representation, Ms. Powers delayed in taking action for the client. After being discharged, Ms. Powers
declined to refund the unearned portion of her security retainer despite being aware that no fee agreement had
been signed by the client providing that the fee was nonrefundable. Ms. Powers also delayed in returning prepaid
litigation expenses to the client.
By these acts, Margaret Jane Powers has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), RPC
1.5(f) (fees), 1.15 (safeguarding client property), and 1.16(d) (duties following withdrawal or discharge) 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.
Powers 101558-4 rel.doc
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