Summary of Decision of the Hearing Panel
William Lorne MacDonald
North Vancouver, BC
Called to the bar: February 19, 1999
Written materials: May 14, 2019
Panel: Dean Lawton, QC, chair; Carol Hickman, QC; Lance Ollenberger
Decision issued: July 24, 2019 (2019 LSBC 28)
Counsel: Angela Westmacott, QC, for the Law Society; Carey Veinotte for William Lorne MacDonald
ADMISSION AND DETERMINATION
William Lorne MacDonald admitted that he misappropriated client trust funds totalling $1,977.20 for nine inactive client matters when he was not entitled to those funds. The amounts charged were based on residual amounts held in trust, not on amounts due for services or disbursements. No invoices were sent to the clients, and the clients did not consent to the charges. This conduct constitutes professional misconduct. MacDonald consented to a two-month suspension.
The panel found that MacDonald’s conduct constitutes professional misconduct and that a two-month suspension is reasonable in the circumstances.
DETERMINATION
The panel ordered that MacDonald:
- be suspended for two months commencing August 1, 2019; and
- pay costs of $1,000.
2019 LSBC 28 Decision of the Hearing Panel