Kayleigh O’Donnell

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

Kayleigh O'Donnell, a senior associate solicitor admitted in 2012, sent letters to clients in January 2021 falsely stating that the OPG had changed its registration process and had held documents for several months, when in fact the delays and need for new forms were due to her own error in submitting the wrong (LP2 rather than LP1F) registration forms. She admitted all allegations, including dishonesty in relation to the false 'several months' assertion to Clients A and B, and recklessness as to the misleading impression given to Clients A, B and C. The Tribunal, on an agreed outcome, found the admissions properly made and that there were no exceptional circumstances justifying a lesser sanction. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £5,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• No conflict between current clients
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was reckless in relation to Allegations 1.1.2 and 1.2
• Attempted to conceal her errors from her clients
• Experienced solicitor of around 10 years' standing
• Client A was actually misled and spent time making enquiries with the OPG

Mitigating factors:

• Considerable professional and personal stress during COVID, including family members with health issues
• No previous complaints in over eight years of practice
• Conduct severely out of character, supported by character references
• Continued to be employed and trusted by the firm after the report
• Full cooperation with the managing partner and the SRA
• No financial harm or loss to clients
• Genuine remorse