Lorraine Earle

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

The complainant retained the respondent attorney to incorporate a company, make two visa applications, and carry out probate/administration work to transfer two land titles, paying her sums totalling $212,500. The respondent did none of the work, failed to account for the money, did not return valuable documents (titles and passports), and ceased communicating with the complainant. She also induced the complainant to cash a $50,000 cheque drawn on an account that had been closed, which was dishonoured, and never reimbursed it. The respondent did not respond to the complaint or appear at any hearing. The Panel found her guilty of professional misconduct in breach of Canons IV(r), IV(s), VII(b)(ii) and I(b). She was struck off the Roll (though already struck off in March 2006), ordered to make restitution of $262,500 plus interest from 21 February 2003, and to pay costs of $20,000.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Respondent did not respond to the complaint
• Respondent failed to appear or be represented at any hearing
• Multiple matters involving multiple sums of money entrusted
• Fraudulent encashment of a cheque drawn on a closed account
• Failure to return valuable documents including titles and passports
• Ceased all communication with the client