BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2006)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
of the
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JENNIFER M. JOHNSON, BPR NO. 19115
CONTACT: THERESA M. COSTONIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
February 27, 2006
KNOXVILLE LAWYER SUSPENDED BY SUPREME COURT
By Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court entered February 21, 2006, Jennifer M. Johnson,
a Knoxville attorney, was suspended from the practice of law in this state for a period of eighteen
months retroactive to March 20, 2002.
A Petition for Discipline had been filed against Ms. Johnson by the Board of Professional
Responsibility on July 20, 2001. On or about December 5, 2005, Ms. Johnson entered into a
Conditional Plea of Guilty with the Board of Professional Responsibility to resolve the Petition for
Discipline in exchange for the eighteen-month suspension. Ms. Johnson, who was employed as an
associate with a law firm, misappropriated approximately $2,700.00 from her employerâs general
office operating account to her personal use by writing extra payroll checks to herself and forging
her employerâs signature on them. Ms. Johnsonâs conduct was mitigated by several applicable
mitigating factors, including that she was a relatively young and inexperienced attorney at the time
of the conduct, she has no prior record of discipline, she was dealing with serious medical problems
and large medical debts at the time of the conduct, she promptly confessed her conduct to her
employer and voluntarily made full restitution, is remorseful for her conduct, self-reported her
conduct to the Board of Professional Responsibility, and has been cooperative throughout the
disciplinary proceeding. Ms. Johnson admitted violating DR 1-102(A)(3)(4)(5)(6) of the Code of
Professional Responsibility.
The Court further ordered that Ms. Johnson pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings and
that she comply in all respects with Supreme Court Rule 9, and specifically Section 18 of said
Rules, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Ms. Johnson will be reinstated to the practice of law at the expiration of the eighteen-month
suspension only upon petition for reinstatement to the Supreme Court and proving by clear and
convincing evidence that she has the moral qualifications, competency, and learning in the law
required for admission and that her resumption of practice will not be detrimental to the
integrity and standing of the bar or the administration of justice or subversive to the public interest.
Johnson 1246-2 rel.doc
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