On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility publicly censured attorney Cynthia Jeanne Tobin.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Cynthia Jeanne Tobin.”
The charges cited Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.8(c), 1.16(a)(1), 2.1, 4.1(a), and 8.4(c).
Tobin provided estate planning services for a client from 2004 to 2023, during which she drafted multiple living trusts for the client. However, at the client’s request, Tobin included herself as a beneficiary of $30,000 and a necklace in the estate documents. While aware she could not prepare estate paperwork naming herself as a substantial beneficiary, Tobin did not inform the client of this restriction.
She also falsely listed her law partner as the drafter without his knowledge. By knowingly making false statements and engaging in misleading conduct, Tobin violated professional conduct rules regarding conflicts of interest, declining representation, obligations as an advisor, truthfulness, and misconduct. The board found Tobin deserved to be publicly censured for her infractions.
According to martindale.com, Ms Tobin attended the University of Memphis – Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, graduating in 1993. She acquired her law license in Tennessee in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
