Donald R. Bernard

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

The complainant engaged the respondent attorney to handle the sale of her property. After the sale she left approximately $90,000 with him to be invested, from which she would draw interest. When she later needed the principal and interest, the attorney failed to pay or account for the money despite repeated requests over years. The Disciplinary Committee, with facts undisputed and the respondent absent, found he breached Canons IV(r) and IV(s) and section 12(1) of the Legal Profession Act, was guilty of professional misconduct including failing to account for client funds and inexcusable negligence. He was struck off the Roll of Attorneys-at-Law and ordered to pay the complainant's costs (amount not stated). No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Failed to account for approximately $90,000 plus interest belonging to the client despite repeated requests
• Did not attend the hearing, was not represented, and offered no apology for absence