Debby-Ann Samuels

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

The Complainant retained the Respondent attorney in 2017 to add her name to a property title, with an agreed fee of $80,000. The Complainant paid $183,300 total ($104,000 in fees—an overpayment—and $79,300 in taxes). The Respondent tried to increase fees, and on her own admission deliberately delayed the transaction when additional payments were not forthcoming. After ~7 years the Complainant's name remained unregistered. The Committee found the Respondent guilty of professional misconduct in breach of Canons IV(r), IV(s) and I(b), imposing a fine of $300,000 and costs of $100,000. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate delay of the transaction because desired additional payments were not forthcoming
• Inordinate and inexcusable delay of approximately 7 years against a stated 6-month timeline
• Attempts to increase fees beyond the agreed amount despite already receiving overpayment
• Complainant's name still not registered on title after ~7 years

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent confirmed the parameters of the retainer as outlined by the Complainant
• Pandemic cited as a contributing factor to delay