On Monday, November 3, 2025, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked the law license of Shalonda Michelle Tillman, effective immediately. This action follows Tillman’s consent to revocation, acknowledging the truth of material facts in multiple pending disciplinary complaints, investigations, and proceedings against her.
Tillman voluntarily submitted an Affidavit Declaring Consent to Revocation, as per Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 13-28 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia. The revocation stems from five separate VSB dockets: 24-021-131347, 25-021-133958, 25-021-133202, 25-021-133530, and 25-021-135200.
The complaints involve allegations of misconduct related to the mishandling of client funds and ethical violations. One complaint, VSB Docket No. 24-021-131347, concerns an overdraft notification from PNC Bank regarding Tillman’s IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Account). An investigation revealed that Tillman disbursed funds to herself, resulting in an overdraft, and failed to perform required reconciliations.
Another complaint, VSB Docket No. 25-021-133958, arose from a trust account review. Tillman allegedly did not accurately record advanced legal fees, failed to conduct monthly reconciliations, and did not deposit client funds into the PNC IOLTA in a timely manner. Records showed a period where the IOLTA maintained a balance of only $100 despite receipts journals indicating deposits of advanced fees.
Additional allegations include the misappropriation of client funds, such as using funds from the PNC IOLTA to pay for operating account checks and instances where withdrawals exceeded the amount held in trust for specific clients.
VSB Docket No. 25-021-133530 involves Kristie Wynn, a client who hired Tillman for a contested divorce. Tillman allegedly deposited Wynn’s advanced legal fees into her operating account instead of the IOLTA. Wynn requested an accounting of legal fees, which Tillman failed to provide. Conflicting information and documentation were provided to the VSB regarding payments made by Wynn, including discrepancies in payment dates and amounts.
The final complaint, VSB Docket No. 25-021-135200, concerns Tonya Benton-Corley, who hired Tillman to appeal a Final Decree of Divorce. Tillman mailed the Notice of Appeal via first-class mail instead of certified or registered mail, causing it to be received late by the trial court. Tillman also failed to provide a copy of the Notice of Appeal to opposing counsel. The Court of Appeals ultimately dismissed the matter, and Tillman allegedly failed to inform Benton-Corley of the dismissal or discuss her legal options. Tillman also did not respond to the bar complaint filed by Benton-Corley or a subpoena duces tecum for her client file and trust account records.
As a result of the revocation, Tillman is required to notify all current clients, opposing attorneys, and presiding judges of her license revocation within 14 days and make arrangements for the disposition of her cases within 45 days. She must also furnish proof of these notifications to the Clerk of the Disciplinary System within 60 days. If she is not handling any client matters, she must submit an affidavit to that effect.
According to Avvo, Ms. Tillman is a divorce and separation lawyer in Washington, DC. She acquired her law license in Virginia in 2021.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
