Kenneth Michael Margolis Publicly Censured

TN Board of Professional Responsibility

Filed March 24th, 2026

Detected March 25th, 2026

Summary

The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility has publicly censured attorney Kenneth Michael Margolis for violations of professional conduct rules. The censure stems from issues related to fee agreements, communication, and the improper use of client authorizations in a new legal matter.

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What changed

The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility issued a Public Censure against attorney Kenneth Michael Margolis on March 24, 2026. The disciplinary action addresses violations of Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(c) (fees), 7.1 (communications), and 8.4(a) (misconduct). Specifically, Margolis failed to verify client retention for a new matter with co-counsel, improperly attempted to collect a contingency fee without a written agreement, and used an existing medical authorization without client permission.

This public censure serves as a formal rebuke but does not impact Margolis's ability to practice law in Tennessee. Attorneys in Tennessee should review their fee agreements and client communication protocols to ensure compliance with professional conduct rules, particularly when co-counsel is involved or existing authorizations are repurposed. Failure to adhere to these rules can result in disciplinary actions.

What to do next

Review fee agreement procedures for new and existing matters.
Ensure written fee agreements are executed for all new representations.
Verify client consent before utilizing existing authorizations for new matters.

Penalties

Public Censure (rebuke and warning, does not affect ability to practice law)

Source document (simplified)

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: KENNETH MICHAEL MARGOLIS, BPR NO. 022906 CONTACT: DOUGLAS R. BERGERON BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY 615-361-7500 March 24, 2026 SHELBY_COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED On March 24, 2026, Kenneth Michael Margolis, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court. An existing client visited Mr. Margolis at his office. Existing client was, at the time, jointly represented by Mr. Margolis and another attorney. Mr. Margolis and the other attorney shared office space. During this visit client advised the other attorney of a potential new cause of action. At the conclusion of that conversation the other attorney wrongly believed that client hired both himself and Mr. Margolis for the new matter with the same arrangement as the already existing representation. The other attorney advised Mr. Margolis that they had been retained in the new matter, but Mr. Margolis failed to verify such with the existing client. During this new representation, there was no written fee agreement executed, and Mr. Margolis, along with co-counsel, improperly attempted to collect a contingency fee from client in the amount of approximately 33.3%. Mr. Margolis also utilized an existing medical authorization from the other representation to use in this new representation without prior permission from client. By the aforementioned acts, Kenneth Michael Margolis, has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(c) (fees), 7.1 (communications concerning lawyer’s services), and 8.4(a) (misconduct) 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 attorney’s ability to practice law.

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