Gregory M.D. Lopez

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

The complainants, executors of the Clemetson estate (13 parcels of land across related estates), retained the attorney around 2004 on the basis his fees would be deducted from sale proceeds. Between 2006 and 2013 they repeatedly requested progress information and accounting but received none, save for a single 2005 accounting for lot 350. The Panel found that several lots were sold in 2012 (lot 341 for $3,300,000; three Clive Williams parcels for $1,200,000; two Bernard Cridland lots for $3,100,000) without any accounting of net proceeds to the complainants. The attorney never filed a response affidavit and largely absented himself from proceedings. The Panel found him guilty of professional misconduct under Canons I(b), IV(r), IV(s) and VII(b)(ii). No express finding of dishonesty was made. Sanction was deferred to allow the attorney to address the Panel per Owen Clunie v GLC.

Duties found breached:

• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Failure to provide any explanation for non-performance of duties
• Neglecting/refusing to file an affidavit in response to the complaint, showing contempt for the complainants and the Committee
• Multiple transactions affected, not a single isolated matter