Robert Lloyd Dick

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

Robert L. Dick, a BC criminal defence lawyer, admitted professional misconduct in a Rule 3-7.1 consent agreement. While acting for NRC Ltd. on a cannabis retail licensing venture (2018-2021), he failed to guard against being the tool of an unscrupulous client, made no reasonable inquiries into identity, retainer purpose, or source of cash funds (including possible proceeds of crime), and did not decline to act despite a 'white knight' scheme to conceal the true principal DC. He also placed himself in a conflict of interest by referring the landlord to a competing cannabis retailer. He consented to a two-month suspension. The tribunal did not make an express finding of dishonesty against the lawyer himself.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Proceeded to act despite numerous red flags including knowledge of client's involvement in illicit cannabis industry and a 'white knight' scheme to conceal the true applicant
• Awareness that dishonesty would be involved in the licensing application yet made no inquiries about true funding sources or cash payments and potential proceeds of crime

Mitigating factors:

• No prior professional conduct record
• Remorseful and acknowledged wrongdoing
• Made admissions and cooperated with discipline counsel to resolve by consent
• Did not gain any personal benefit, including legal fees, from the misconduct