Employee of law firm made subject of do not employ order for misappropriating funds

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has made a do no employ order in respect of Rhiannon Smith (Ms Smith). While working at a law firm in an accounts role, Ms Smith misappropriated funds. A total of $2,289.66 was misappropriated and, as at the date of…

Lawyer suspended for two months for deliberately misleading client in order to conceal her failure to progress the case

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended Auckland lawyer, Ms W, for a period of two months, censured her and ordered that she cannot practise on her own account unless authorised by the Tribunal. Ms W admitted to two charges of misconduct, which both related…

Lawyer struck off for misappropriation of funds

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has struck off Takena Stirling after he admitted five charges of misconduct. The charges all related to dishonest conduct in relation to Mr Stirling’s trust account and were described by the Tribunal as “in the most serious category”. The Tribunal noted that…

Disciplinary Tribunal strikes out charge against Sue Grey

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has struck out a charge laid against Nelson lawyer Sue Grey. The charge related to comments that Ms Grey had made on social media in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Tribunal found that these comments were made in Ms Grey’s personal…

Issuing seven inaccurate invoices leads to a finding of negligence, a fine of $8,000 and a censure

Issuing seven inaccurate invoices has led to a finding of negligence for former practitioner Mr V. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found that Mr V’s conduct brought the profession into disrepute. The Tribunal noted that Mr V did not profit from the inaccurate invoices however and there…

Failing to make enquiries to ensure that client had sole authority to sell a business leads to unsatisfactory conduct finding

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found a former Auckland lawyer, Benjamin Bong, guilty of unsatisfactory conduct for his failure to make enquiries to ensure that his client had sole authority to sell a jointly owned business.  The Tribunal noted Mr Bong’s long career and his…

Wellington lawyer struck off for misusing client funds

Taking control of a vulnerable client’s bank account and using the money as if it was his own has led to a finding of misconduct and a strike off for Wellington lawyer Alwyn O’Connor. Mr O’Connor was also found guilty of negligence with regard to his work on an employment…

Lawyer suspended for two months for failing to comply with orders and inquiries made by the Standards Committee

Failing to comply with orders of a Standards Committee and failing to respond to inquires from the Standards Committee has led to a two month suspension for Papakura lawyer Robert John Burton (Mr Burton).  The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found suspension was necessary to maintain…

Lawyer suspended for 15 months for acting in the face of a conflict of interest and failing to pay Standards Committee fine

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended former Gisborne lawyer Edward Alexander Hunt (Mr Hunt) for a period of 15 months. Mr Hunt admitted two charges of misconduct and two charges of unsatisfactory conduct. The majority of the charges related to Mr Hunt’s conduct in…

Lawyer suspended for 12 months for overstating cost of report and failing to provide the report to the client

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended Wellington lawyer Chris Tennet (Mr Tennet) for a period of 12 months (commencing 6pm on 22 June 2023).  Mr Tennet was found guilty of misconduct after he overstated the cost of an alcohol and drug report when invoicing…