Lawyer fined and censured for failing to recognise conflicts

Failing to recognise and respond to conflicts has led to a finding of negligence for former Wellington lawyer Lloyd Collins. The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found Mr Collins had fallen short of his obligations when acting for Mrs M, who was a vulnerable client suffering…

Duncan Takena Stirling suspended from practice on an interim basis

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended Te Awamutu lawyer Duncan Takena Stirling from practice on an interim basis from 22 December 2022.

Lawyer censured for accessing Court cells for an improper reason

Using his position as a lawyer to access the Court cells for an improper reason has led to a finding of misconduct and a censure for Auckland lawyer Justin Harder. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that Mr Harder’s actions were transitory in nature, but involved a…

Lawyer struck off for tax evasion and misusing trust account funds

A conviction for tax evasion and a finding of misconduct for misusing client funds has led to a strike off for former Hamilton lawyer Wayne Revell. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) held that both charges were grave, implied a gross lack of ethical behaviour and that Mr…

Lawyer found to have engaged in misconduct by behaving inappropriately with younger female colleagues

Behaviour which broadly fell under the heading of sexual harassment has led to three findings of misconduct for Christchurch lawyer Richard Dean Palmer. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) found that Mr Palmer’s conduct towards young female colleagues on three separate occasions was disgraceful and dishonourable. Three other…

Lawyer struck off for sustained series of unprofessional actions

Breaching a binding settlement agreement, engaging in meritless attacks and making dishonest and misconceived allegations in the course of litigation has led to a finding of misconduct and strike off for former Wellington lawyer Caroline Sawyer. Dr Sawyer was also ordered to pay the Committee's costs and the Tribunal's costs.

Lawyer suspended for 12 months for acting outside terms of practising certificate and “woeful performance” for a client

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) has suspended Stephen Potter for a period of 12 months following on from its earlier findings that Mr Potter had engaged in misconduct by accepting instructions to act as an employment representative while working as an employed lawyer.  The Tribunal also found…

Lawyer suspended for three months for acting on loan transactions in which the lawyer was personally involved

Acting on behalf of the borrower in loan transactions in which he was personally involved as the lender has led to a finding of misconduct for lawyer Bruce Johnson.  Mr Johnson recognised the conflict of interest involved but decided to continue to act as he had a waiver from the…

Tribunal finds an inadequate apology letter and delayed distribution of an estate to be misconduct

Sending an inadequate letter of apology has led to a finding of misconduct by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) for lawyer, Patrick Kennelly.  Mr Kennelly was ordered to apologise to Mr P by the Legal Complaints Review Officer (LCRO) but was found to have not complied with…

Lawyer struck off after altering invoices to obtain funds for her own benefit

Altering three invoices to arrange for payment to her personal bank account or the bank account of a friend has led to a finding of misconduct and strike off for former Auckland lawyer Mehal Kejriwal. Within her first year of practice, Ms Kejriwal engaged in three instances of fraudulent conduct.…