For legal professionals, the handling of client funds is a sacred duty. When that fiduciary bond is breached, the consequences are severe. Family law attorney Jennifer Lynn Wilson-Tancreto (State Bar Number 275084), based in Westwood and formerly in Ukiah, California, has been suspended from the practice of law, effective August 29, 2025.
The California Supreme Court ordered a six-month actual suspension followed by a lengthy probation period after findings revealed a pattern of financial mismanagement and failures to perform basic professional duties.
The Core Misconduct: Financial Lapses and Client Neglect
The disciplinary action (Case No. 24-O-30928) focused on several critical violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct:
-
Failure to Deposit Funds in a Trust Account: Wilson-Tancreto failed to properly safeguard client money by not depositing funds into a designated Client Trust Account (CTA). This is a fundamental requirement designed to prevent “commingling,” where an attorney mixes personal or business funds with money belonging to the client.
-
Failure to Refund Unearned Fees: In multiple matters, she failed to promptly return unearned legal fees to clients after the representation ended. This violation causes direct financial harm to families already navigating the stress of legal disputes.
-
Lack of Diligence: Findings indicated a failure to perform legal services with the competence and diligence required of a member of the Bar, particularly in sensitive family law and custody proceedings.
-
Administrative Non-compliance: Prior to this disciplinary suspension, her license had already been impacted by administrative issues, including non-compliance with the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) and failure to pay bar membership fees.
The Final Sanction: Suspension and Probation
Due to the nature of the violations, the State Bar Court determined that a period of removal from practice was necessary for public protection.
-
Actual Suspension: Wilson-Tancreto was ordered to serve a six-month actual suspension.
-
Two-Year Probation: Following her suspension, she was placed on two years of probation with strict reporting requirements to the State Bar’s Office of Probation.
-
Current Status: As of late 2025, her license status is listed as “Not Eligible to Practice Law in CA.” She is currently barred from providing legal advice, appearing in court, or accepting new clients.
Conclusion: A Breach of the Fiduciary Bond
The suspension of Jennifer Lynn Wilson-Tancreto serves as a stark reminder that the “business” side of law—specifically the management of client money—is just as important as the legal work itself.
When an attorney fails to refund fees or properly store client retainers, it erodes the public’s trust in the entire judicial system. Her two-year probation is intended to ensure that if she returns to practice, she does so with the systems and integrity required to protect her clients’ interests.
