Sean A. Clarke

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

The Respondent attorney Sean Clarke was retained in December 2005 to administer the estate of the Complainant's father, including probating the will and surveying, sub-dividing and selling land. The Complainant paid a total of $162,830.00 and delivered the will, death certificate and title. The attorney took no action, failed to account for the funds, failed to return the documents, became uncontactable and his office closed. The attorney did not appear at any hearing. The Committee, applying the beyond-reasonable-doubt standard, found him guilty of professional misconduct for breaching Canons I(b), IV(r), IV(s) and VII(ii). No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was ordered to make restitution with interest, pay costs, and return documents, with a conditional suspension until compliance.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money