Microsoft Word - ebb_75720187_1040165693_18 (2019)
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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: WILLIAM ALLAN COHN, BPR #005873
CONTACT: ALAN D. JOHNSON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 22, 2019
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On October 22, 2019, William Allan Cohn, a Tennessee licensed attorney, was publicly censured by the
Supreme Court of Tennessee and ordered to pay the expenses of the Board as well as restitution to his client.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline on June 5, 2018, concerning one
(1) complaint of misconduct. Mr. Cohn accepted a non-refundable fee and cost deposit to handle an
uncontested divorce. After completing the necessary pleadings, his clientâs wife refused to sign the documents,
and Mr. Cohn was terminated by his client. Mr. Cohn believed that the fee agreement entitled him to additional
fees, and he used the cost deposit to cover the additional fees. No costs had been incurred during the course of
the representation, and the cost deposit should have remained in Mr. Cohnâs IOLTA account until they were
refunded to the client.
A Hearing Panel found that Mr. Cohn violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(c) (safekeeping
property and funds) and 8.4(a) (misconduct).
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Cohn 2875-9 rel.doc