Law Society of British Columbia tribunal finds B.C. lawyer committed professional misconduct

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A tribunal has ruled that a Kelowna attorney fully commited expert misconduct.

The final decision was issued on March 4, 2022, by the Legislation Society of British Columbia Tribunal Listening to Division adhering to allegations from Paule Fiona Seeger, who now goes by the identify Paule Moore.

In November 2020, the Law Culture of British Columbia (LSBC) issued a citation against Seeger for allegedly withdrawing customer resources from a belief account dozens of moments over a number of years for providers that had not been provided, and in contravention of the guidelines for these kinds of withdrawals.

Seeger (Moore) moved to Kelowna in 2010 and her primary location of apply was loved ones legislation. She closed her agency in December 2019 and has been with a authorized solutions company considering the fact that March 2020.

The investigation commenced immediately after an accountant employed by the law firm filed a criticism to the LSBC in September 2018, alleging economical improprieties.

Amongst the allegations had been that Seeger was “constantly” producing transfers from a have faith in account to a basic account to go over the firm’s payroll bills, and that even though she was out of the nation on vacation in July 2018, Seeger left a packet of 30 to 40 signed, but in any other case blank, have faith in cheques for the accountant to use in her absence. The worker also claimed fears that a client was billed for court dates that had not still taken area.

A forensic accounting investigation turned up a variety of problems.

The citation issued in November alleged that Seeger misappropriated or improperly withdrew some or all of $1,400 in have faith in funds held in the account of just one client when she was not entitled to do so. She admitted misappropriation in relationship with that incident and the panel acknowledged that admission.

Other irregularities incorporated the misappropriated or improper withdrawal of resources from her firm’s believe in account when she experienced not rendered any or enough lawful providers to justify the withdrawals. She admitted “pre-billing” purchasers for providers that have been yet to be performed simply because of economical pressures.

The law modern society observed quite a few violations of its code of perform, which includes policies governing the withdrawal of rely on resources, the defense of data and the obligation to clientele, the community and other users of the occupation to act honourably and with integrity.

The Tribunal agreed with all of the details laid out in the citation and discovered Seeger dedicated experienced misconduct.

A penalty has not however been decided.



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