BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2020)
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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: MARIE A. WASHINGTON, BPR #010854
CONTACT: KEVIN D. BALKWILL
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
January 10, 2020
MEMPHIS LAWYER CENSURED
On January 10, 2020, Marie A. Washington, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received
a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Ms. Washington did not adequately communicate to her client the terms of her fee agreement. Ms.
Washington made application to the court for payment of her fees which was far in excess of the outstanding
amount previously provided to her client. Ms. Washington failed to notify the court that she had been paid by
her client for a portion of the legal services submitted in her fee application. The court approved a significant
portion of Ms. Washingtonâs fee request. Ms. Washingtonâs client retained new counsel and notified Ms.
Washington of a claim to a portion of the fees which were to be paid to Ms. Washington. Upon receipt of funds
pursuant to her approved fee application, Ms. Washington failed to safeguard the funds until the dispute with
her former client was resolved.
By these acts, Marie A. Washington has violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4 (communication), 1.5
(fees), 1.15 (safekeeping property), 3.3 (candor toward tribunal), and 8.4(a)(c)(d) (misconduct) and is hereby
Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Washington 60649-9 rel.doc