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
RE: WENDY NICOLE VILLAFANA, BPR #24770
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
April 18, 2012
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On April 18, 2012, Wendy Nicole Villafana, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received
a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Villafana was hired by a client to file a cancellation of deportation. The application for cancellation was
never filed. At the hearing, Villafana told the client that he had not provided sufficient information to prevail in
a cancellation request, and she felt that a voluntary departure was the best result for him. During the
representation, Villafana failed to reasonably communicate with her client.
Villafana violated Rule 1.3 by failing to file the clientâs application for cancellation with the court and
failing to diligently prepare for the hearing. She violated Rule 1.4 by failing to promptly inform the client about
the alleged weakness in his case and failing to respond to his requests for information.
By the aforementioned acts, Wendy Nicole Villafana violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3
(Diligence) and 1.4 (Communication) and is hereby Publicly Censured.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Villafana 33726-9 rel.doc
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