BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2025)
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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
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JONATHAN MARK BENFIELD, BPR NO. 018541
CONTACT: DOUGLAS R. BERGERON
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
September 24, 2025
SHELBY COUNTY LAWYER SUSPENDED
Effective September 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended Jonathan Mark Benfield from
the practice of law for six (6) years with five (5) years being an active suspension pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R.
9, Section 12.2, the remainder served on probation conditioned upon the appointment of a practice monitor. As
a prerequisite to seeking reinstatement from active suspension, Mr. Benfield must report to the Tennessee
Lawyersâ Assistance Program within thirty (30) days of the suspension order, attend the Board of Professional
Responsibilityâs ethics workshop, take and receive a passing score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility
(MPRE) exam, provide restitution to his mother or her estate in the amount of $103,080.00 and pay all costs.
Additionally, the Supreme Court of Tennessee, in complaint # 7462-9-MB and 74907-9-MB, publicly censured
Mr. Benfield.
Mr. Benfield, while acting as power of attorney, took advantage of his elderly and vulnerable mother,
abused his fiduciary relationship with his mother as power of attorney, failed to comply with court rules, and
knowingly violated his duties as a professional. Mr. Benfield practiced law while subject to an order of suspension
and failed to comply with a court order. A Hearing Panel determined the conduct of Mr. Benfield violated
Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence); 1.4 (communication); 1.5 (fees); 1.14 (diminished
capacity); 1.15 (safekeeping of property and funds); 3.4(c) (fairness to opposing party and counsel); 5.5
(unauthorized practice of law), and 8.4(a), (b), and (c) (misconduct).
Mr. Benfield must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and
30.4 regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.
Benfield 3374-9 rel.doc