Noel S. Williams

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

The attorney had carriage of sale for the vendor of 72 acres of farmland and received a deposit of $1,383,469.72 from the purchasers (the complainants) in 1994. He failed to complete the sale, obtain title, account for the funds, or respond to the complainants' repeated enquiries over more than six years. The attorney did not appear at the hearing. The Committee found him guilty of professional misconduct for inexcusable/inordinate delay, deplorable negligence (Canon 4(s)) and conduct discrediting the profession (Canon 1(b)). No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay restitution of $1,383,469.72 and costs of $50,000.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Complaints procedure and handling
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Inordinate delay of over six years past completion date
• Failure to respond to letters and demands
• Failure to account for or return client funds
• Did not appear or respond to the complaint