Buffaloe 1169-1181 rel.PDF (2001)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
1101 KERMIT DRIVE, SUITE 730 WILLIAM W. HUNT, III
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217 CHARLES A. HIGH
LANCE B. BRACY TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500 SANDY GARRETT
CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL (800) 486-5714 JESSE D. JOSEPH
FAX: (615) 367-2480 JAMES A. VICK
LAURA L. CHASTAIN E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org THERESA M. COSTONIS
DEPUTY CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: JANE J. BUFFALOE, BPR #002891
CONTACT: SANDY GARRETT
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
November 27, 2001
LAW LICENSE OF NASHVILLE ATTORNEY SUSPENDED
On November 20, 2001, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an Order suspending the law
license of Jane J. Buffaloe for a period of three years.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a petition for discipline against Buffaloe alleging that
Buffaloe represented a client on collections, litigation and forfeitures, and was responsible for collecting funds,
maintaining records, and timely remitting collected funds to this client. Buffaloe misrepresented to this client
the activity and status of a case. The client demanded Buffaloe return client files. Buffaloe initially made no
response to the clientâs request for the return of files but then provided the client with a partial list of active
accounts with ledger balances and payment histories. Buffaloeâs client, at its own expense, then hired a
computer programmer to extract the clientâs account information from Buffaloeâs computer system. The
client subsequently learned that Buffaloe had received funds which Buffaloe had failed to remit to the client.
Buffaloe was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court of Tennessee for misappropriation of this clientâs
funds on February 10, 2000. Buffaloe remained temporarily suspended until she was reinstated with
conditions on December 11, 2000. The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a petition for discipline
against Buffaloe for her misappropriation of this clientâs funds and for Buffaloeâs appearance in court while
suspended. Buffaloe has made restitution to her client.
The Board of Professional Responsibility also filed another petition for discipline against Buffaloe,
based upon a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Order finding Buffaloe in willful contempt of court.
In this bankruptcy case, Buffaloe failed to appear for a December 9, 1999 show cause hearing on behalf of
her client. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court found Buffaloe in willful contempt of the courtâs order to appear and
show cause as to why an announced agreed order had not been submitted to the court.
Buffaloe through counsel filed answers to the petitions for discipline and submitted a conditional guilty
plea to the charges. Buffaloeâs guilty plea was approved by a hearing panel, the Board of Professional
Responsibility and the Supreme Court.
The Supreme court of Tennesseeâs November 20, 2001 Order suspended Buffaloe for a period of
three years, with credit for Buffaloeâs ten month temporary suspension previously served February 10, 2000
through December 11, 2000. Buffaloe may, after serving her three years suspension, apply for reinstatement
of her law license. To be reinstated to the practice of law, Buffaloe must show by clear and convincing
evidence that her reinstatement would not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar and the
administration of justice or subversive to the publicâs interest.
SG:mw
Buffaloe 1169-1181 rel.doc