Keisha McDonald

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

The Jamaican Disciplinary Committee found attorney Keisha McDonald breached Canon IV(r) by giving the complainant misleading information about whether stamp duty had been paid and whether documents were lodged at the Titles Office, and by failing to handle the stamping with due expedition, and breached Canon VII(b)(ii) by charging fees of J$202,000 instead of the agreed J$60,000. The panel did not find inexcusable negligence over the lost cheque and made no express finding of dishonesty. She was fined J$80,000 and ordered to pay restitution of J$200,000 (other attorney's fees) and J$142,000 (excess fees) to the clients.

Duties found breached:

• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Gave misleading information that duties were paid and documents lodged at Titles Office
• Delayed disclosing loss of manager's cheque for nearly two weeks
• Placed her own interest in collecting her fee ahead of the clients' interest by only part-paying the duties
• Deposited client deposit into her personal account with no trust account

Mitigating factors:

• No proof of actual misuse of client funds
• No penalty was ultimately imposed by the Stamp Office
• Counsel conceded in hindsight she should have paid the full duties
• Charged a substantially reduced fee due to friendship