Agnes Sipple Trujillo Publicly Censured for Professional Conduct Violations
Summary
The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility publicly censured attorney Agnes Sipple Trujillo on April 7, 2026, for multiple violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct including failure to file trial transcripts on appeal, failure to respond to dismissal motions causing client case dismissal, unreasonable $7,500 nonrefundable fee, failure to provide client copies of pleadings or notify client of dismissal, and failure to maintain and return client file.
What changed
The Board of Professional Responsibility issued a Public Censure against attorney Agnes Sipple Trujillo for violations of Rules 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4(a) (communication), 1.5(a) (fees), 1.15(d) (safekeeping property), and 8.4(d) (administration of justice). The violations stem from an appeal where Trujillo failed to file the trial transcript or respond to two dismissal motions, causing the client's case to be dismissed. She charged a $7,500 nonrefundable fee that the Board found unreasonable given the de minimis services provided. She also failed to provide client copies of pleadings, notify the client of dismissal, maintain the file, or return it to enable the client to seek alternate counsel.
Legal professionals in Tennessee should review their appellate practice procedures, client communication protocols, and fee arrangements. A Public Censure does not affect licensure but serves as an official rebuke that becomes part of the attorney's disciplinary record. Attorneys should ensure fee agreements withstand the reasonableness standard, particularly for nonrefundable provisions, and that client files are properly maintained and returned upon request.
What to do next
- Review client file maintenance procedures to ensure compliance
- Verify all appellate filings are timely submitted with required transcripts
- Assess fee agreements for reasonableness under professional conduct rules
- Ensure clients are promptly notified of all case developments
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trujillo-100996-1-rel.pdf
(2026)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
10 CADILLAC DRIVE, SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: AGNES SIPPLE TRUJILLO, BPR #025229
CONTACT: TIFFANY D. TANT-SHAFER
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
April 8, 2026
JEFFERSON COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On April 7, 2026, Agnes Sipple Trujillo, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
In an appeal from Campbell County Chancery Court, Ms. Trujillo failed to file the trial transcript with the
appellate court under Tenn. R. App. P. 24 and failed to file or request an extension to file a response to two (2)
dismissal motions, resulting in the clientâs case being dismissed. Ms. Trujillo failed to provide her client with
copies of pleadings in his case and failed to notify client that his case was dismissed. While Ms. Trujilloâs service
agreement provided for a nonrefundable fee of $7500, such fees are subject to the reasonableness standard and
based on the de minimis legal services provided, Ms. Trujilloâs fee was not reasonable. Ms. Trujillo failed to
maintain the clientâs file and never returned the file to client, hindering his ability to obtain alternate counsel to
seek further relief following the dismissal.
By these acts, Ms. Trujillo has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence),
1.4(a) (communication), 1.5(a) (fees), 1.15(d) (safekeeping property and funds), and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the
administration of justice) and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to practice
law.
Trujillo 100996-1 rel.doc
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