HELEN MARIE TOLSON

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

Ms Helen Marie Tolson, admitted in WA in 1996, stole $1,967,741.51 from her law firm's trust account between 2013 and 2017 while employed there, concealing the withdrawals through false ledger entries against deceased estates and vulnerable clients' trust funds. She pleaded guilty to and was convicted of nine counts of stealing as a servant and was sentenced to 7 years 6 months imprisonment. The State Administrative Tribunal found she engaged in professional misconduct involving dishonesty, and made and transmitted a report to the Supreme Court (full bench) recommending her name be removed from the roll of practitioners. The Committee withdrew its costs application; no fine or costs were ordered.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Gross breach of trust towards clients
• Premeditated and sophisticated conduct continuing for nearly four years
• Targeting of vulnerable/elderly clients
• Large sum stolen ($1,967,741.51)
• Element of greed - funds used for own benefit including purchase of two new cars
• Sentenced to 7 years 6 months imprisonment

Mitigating factors:

• Pleaded guilty to all nine counts
• Expressed remorse
• Did not oppose the Committee's application
• Voluntarily applied to cancel her practice certificate in April 2018
• Restitution was made