HELEN MARIE TOLSON

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The practitioner stole nearly $2 million from her law firm's trust account over four years, using elaborate concealment methods and taking advantage of vulnerable clients. She pleaded guilty to nine counts of stealing as a servant and was sentenced to 7.5 years imprisonment. The Supreme Court of WA, on the Tribunal's recommendation, found her guilty of professional misconduct and not a fit and proper person to practise, and ordered her name removed from the roll. No costs order was made as the motion was unopposed.

Duties found breached:

• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Segregate client money
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Sustained course of dishonesty between September 2013 and August 2017
• Gross breach of trust owed to clients
• Targeting vulnerable clients including an elderly client
• Sophisticated concealment through false ledger entries, lies and impersonation of fictitious people
• Element of greed (purchase of two new cars with stolen money)
• Convicted and sentenced to 7 years 6 months imprisonment

Mitigating factors:

• Pleaded guilty to criminal charges
• Did not oppose removal from the roll
• Restitution was made
• Not primarily motivated by greed but by financial pressures/desire to avoid family financial ruin