A lawyer in Vernon previously barred from practicing law due to inappropriate dealings with elderly clients has been discovered to have misused $117,000 belonging to a female client with dementia. The Law Society of British Columbia tribunal’s ruling against Leonard Hil Marriott defines misappropriation as equivalent to theft.
According to the decision, Marriott utilized the woman’s funds to purchase an apartment for himself and settle another client’s estate. Despite the ruling, Marriott has not reimbursed the money.
Last year, Marriott was banned for a decade by the Law Society after being found guilty of professional misconduct involving two other elderly clients. The recent case involves an 84-year-old woman whom Marriott began representing in 2017. In 2018, Marriott arranged a power of attorney agreement allowing him to manage the woman’s financial affairs.
Additionally, besides the misused funds, Marriott allegedly orchestrated documents granting himself a 50% ownership share in the woman’s condo, valued at nearly $400,000 at that time. He also drafted a will for the woman, appointing himself as the executor and beneficiary of 75% of her estate.
Marriott admitted to most facts in the case but contended that the $117,000 was an “improper withdrawal of funds” rather than misappropriation, a claim rejected by the Law Society. The lawyer asserted he had developed a close relationship with the woman despite her dementia.
Marilyn Mellis, a B.C. forensic accountant, mentioned that regulatory bodies like the Law Society do not instigate criminal charges. Mellis added that it is uncommon for law enforcement to pursue prosecution in white-collar crime cases, leading to frustration among affected individuals.
Regulatory bodies lack the authority to demand repayment for victims, which typically falls under the jurisdiction of the court through civil or criminal proceedings. Three years ago, the woman’s family filed a civil suit alleging Marriott conspired to redirect her funds for personal gain and property control. Marriott denied the accusations and claimed to have always acted in the woman’s best interest.
Following his 2025 ban, Marriott’s law practice was taken over by the Law Society due to his continued control of solicitor trust accounts. Despite attempts to contact Marriott for comment, there was no response from him.