Rico Rey Hipolito

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

Rico Rey Hipolito, a Vancouver sole practitioner in immigration law, admitted numerous professional misconduct violations affecting several clients: taking flat fees before earning them, failing to file applications, misleading clients about the status of their matters, failing to refund $6,000 to client YM, misappropriating $1,040 of client CE's trust funds for personal use, and continuing to practise law and accept a retainer while suspended. He had been suspended in October 2008 and ceased membership in 2010. He entered an Agreed Statement of Facts admitting the misconduct including misappropriation, and undertook not to apply for reinstatement for eight years (to June 3, 2017), along with related restrictions on working in the legal field. No fine or costs figure was stated.

Duties found breached:

• Disclose adverse law to the court
• Proper termination and return of instructions
• Fair, reasonable and lawful fees
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Multiple clients affected over several years
• Repeatedly misled clients about the status of their applications
• Misappropriation of client trust funds
• Practised law while suspended, acting from 'desperation'
• Failed to repay YM the $6,000 owed

Mitigating factors:

• Entered into an Agreed Statement of Facts and admitted the misconduct
• Believed some applications had been filed by an associate/assistant
• Was suffering from depression and financial difficulty
• Repaid CE the $1,040 by bank draft in February 2009
• Cooperated with the Law Society investigation