Paul Francis Brendan McMahon

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

McMahon, an assistant solicitor admitted in 1993, obtained a client account cheque payable to a client, executed a Power of Attorney purporting to change his name to that client, and attempted to withdraw the proceeds (£2,552.16) at a building society, obtaining £300 before being stopped. The Tribunal found this a calculated course of dishonesty and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £763.75.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Elaborate scheme including forged Power of Attorney and false name change to withdraw client funds
• Calculated course of dishonesty

Mitigating factors:

• Difficult personal circumstances and stress
• Made material admissions
• Funds recovered by employers with no ultimate loss