TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Shelby County Lawyer Suspended

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 24, 2025
News Type: BPR Actions

On Sept. 24, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Jonathan Mark Benfield from the practice of law for six years with five years to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation subject to the appointment of a practice monitor. As a prerequisite to seeking reinstatement, Benfield must report to the Tennessee Lawyers’ Assistance Program within 30 days of the suspension order, attend the Board of Professional Responsibility’s ethics workshop, take and receive a passing score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility (MPRE) exam, provide restitution in the amount of $103,080 and pay all costs. The court also publicly censured Benfield. The court found that Benfield, while acting as power of attorney, took advantage of his 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. It also found that Benfield practiced law while suspended and failed to comply with a court order. His actions were determined to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.14, 1.15, 3.4(c), 5.5 and 8.4(a), (b) and (c).

Attachments:

Law-Related Blogs AND PODCASTS

Check out other law-related blogs and podcasts generated from the Tennessee legal community or of interest to the Tennessee lawyers.