Sean A. Clarke

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

Respondent attorney Sean Clarke was retained in December 2005 to administer the estate of the Complainant's father, and to survey, subdivide and sell land. He received total payments of $162,830 plus critical documents (will, death certificate, title) but took no action, closed his office, became uncontactable, failed to account for funds, and did not return documents. The Committee, applying the beyond reasonable doubt standard, found him guilty of professional misconduct in his absence (breaches of Canons I(b), IV(r), IV(s) and VII(ii)). No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was ordered to make restitution of $162,830 with 3% interest, pay $60,000 costs, return the documents, with suspension from practice until compliance.

Duties found breached:

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