BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2012)
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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
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
MARGARET JANE POWERS, BPR # 7328
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
July 19, 2012
CUMBERLAND COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On July 19, 2012, 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 received a check made out to her client from the opposing party in a divorce. She asked the
client if she could apply the check to the outstanding bill owed to Powers. The client refused. Powers held the
check for eighteen months, and then asked the client, again, whether she could apply it to his bill. The client
did not respond. Powers deposited the check into her account, endorsing the clientâs name without his
permission. Powers later refunded the check to the client.
By the aforementioned acts, Margaret Jane Powers has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15
(Safekeeping 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 attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Powers 34108-4 rel.doc
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