BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2014)
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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: TIFFANY MARCILYNNE JOHNS, BPR #27860
CONTACT: EILEEN BURKHALTER SMITH
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 23, 2014
WILLIAMSON COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On January 22, 2014, Tiffany Marcilynne Johns, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee,
received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Ms. Johns represented a party in a child custody matter in Kentucky for which she was admitted pro
hac vice. Ms. Johns filed a motion to have the matter transferred to Tennessee where the partiesâ divorce had
been finalized. At a hearing, Ms. Johns falsely told the Kentucky Judge that she had spoken with a Kentucky
Court of Appeals Judge about the applicable law in Kentucky. At another hearing, Ms. Johns falsely told the
Kentucky Judge that she had spoken with a âfemale justice, her law clerkâ of the Kentucky Court of Appeals on
the matter.
After Ms. Johns filed a petition to terminate the opposing partyâs parental rights in Tennessee, she called
the Tennessee Judge and left a message inquiring whether a federal statute would apply to the matter.
In response to a direct question from the Kentucky Judge, Ms. Johns stated that a hearing was set in the
Tennessee matter on a particular date. In fact, no hearing had been docketed with the court clerk, and the
opposing party had not been served with notice of the hearing or the petition.
By these acts, Tiffany Marcilynne Johns has violated Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3.3(a) (candor
to the tribunal) and 3.5(b) (ex parte communication with tribunal).
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Johns 35409-5 rel.doc
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