Roane County attorney Jason R. Hines received a public censure this week from the Tennessee Supreme Court. He was ordered to pay the costs of the disciplinary action to the Board of Professional Responsibility.

The report from the board states Hines, who was retained in a post-divorce action, engaged in inappropriate text communications with his client, which potentially impaired his professional judgment and that of his client; failed to deposit client funds into his client trust account; provided inappropriate financial assistance to his client; and failed to promptly refund advance payment of unearned fees.

Hines executed a conditional guilty plea admitting his conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7(a) (conflict of interest); 1.15 (a) (safekeeping property); 1.8(3) (conflict of interest: prohibited transactions); and 1.16(d) (declining or terminating representation).

A public censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.