Nicole Tam

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

Nicole Tam, a BC lawyer called in 2009, entered a Rule 3-7.1 consent agreement admitting professional misconduct for concurrently working full-time as an associate at Law Firm AA and as an independent contractor at Law Firm BB between August 2023 and June 2024, deliberately withholding her dual employment from both firms and preventing conflict checks. Although described as deliberate withholding, the tribunal made findings of failure to act with integrity and good faith, not an express finding of dishonesty. She agreed to pay a $5,000 fine within 90 days. The consent agreement forms part of her professional conduct record.

Duties found breached:

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

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate withholding of material information from both firms knowing it could affect her employment
• Created risk that conflicts of interest could arise; neither firm could conduct conflict checks

Mitigating factors:

• No prior professional conduct record
• Remorseful and admitted misconduct
• Sent email of apology to Law Firm AA and provided letter of apology to partners
• Repaid certain professional fees to Law Firm AA
• No actual conflict of interest was identified
• Proposed fine consistent with prior similar matters