Professional ethics and the protection of vulnerable clients are the cornerstones of the legal profession. When these standards are violated, the consequences are severe. For Memphis-based attorney Jonathan Mark Benfield (BPR Number 018541), a series of grave ethical breaches—including the financial exploitation of a family member—has resulted in a major disciplinary ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Effective September 24, 2025, Benfield was suspended from the practice of law for six years, with five years to be served as an active suspension.
The Core Misconduct: Fiduciary Abuse and Unauthorized Practice
The disciplinary proceedings (Case No. 2024-3374-9-DB) revealed a troubling pattern of conduct that violated multiple Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct. The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) highlighted several key areas of misconduct:
1. Exploitation of a Vulnerable Person
The most severe allegations involved Benfield’s role as power of attorney for his elderly and vulnerable mother. The court found that Benfield:
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Abused his fiduciary relationship for personal gain.
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Took advantage of his mother’s diminished capacity.
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Was ordered to pay $103,080.00 in restitution to his mother or her estate as a condition of future reinstatement.
2. Unauthorized Practice of Law
In addition to the fiduciary abuse, the court found that Benfield continued to practice law while already subject to a prior order of suspension. This knowing violation of court rules further solidified the Hearing Panel’s decision to seek a lengthy active suspension.
3. Procedural Violations
A Hearing Panel determined that Benfield violated the following Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct:
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Rule 1.15: Safekeeping of property and funds.
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Rule 5.5: Unauthorized practice of law.
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Rule 8.4: Misconduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
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Rules 1.3 & 1.4: Failure to act with diligence and maintain communication with clients.
Prerequisites for Reinstatement
The Tennessee Supreme Court has set high hurdles for Benfield should he choose to seek his law license back after his five-year active suspension period:
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Restitution: He must provide full restitution of the $103,080.00 taken from his mother’s assets.
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Professional Assessment: Within 30 days of the order, he was required to report to the Tennessee Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) for evaluation.
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Ethics Education: He must attend the BPR’s ethics workshop and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
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Practice Monitor: Upon his return to practice (probation phase), he must work under a court-appointed monitor to oversee his office and financial management.
Professional Background
Prior to these disciplinary actions, Jonathan Mark Benfield was a prominent personal injury and medical malpractice attorney in Memphis.
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Education: Graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law (1997).
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Experience: He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps and was previously recognized by Super Lawyers for his work in medical malpractice.
Despite these professional accolades, his recent conduct highlights that no level of experience exempts an attorney from the fundamental duty of honesty and the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys.
Conclusion: A Breach of the Highest Trust
The suspension of Jonathan Mark Benfield serves as a stark warning about the intersection of private fiduciary duties and professional legal ethics. By exploiting a vulnerable family member and ignoring previous court-ordered suspensions, Benfield committed what the Board views as a fundamental betrayal of the “Attorney” title. For the legal community in Shelby County, this ruling reinforces the principle that the law exists to protect the vulnerable—even from those sworn to uphold it.
