Disbarred Vernon Lawyer Stole $116K From Dementia Patient

The BC Law Society found that former Vernon lawyer Leonard Hil Marriott misappropriated $116,000 from an elderly client suffering from dementia. Marriott used the stolen money to purchase a condo for himself in Vernon. The Law Society published its decision on September 24, describing his conduct as tantamount to theft.

Marriott had represented the woman since 2017, when she was 84 years old. He became her power of attorney in 2018, gaining control over her financial affairs. By 2022, her dementia had become severe, and Marriott believed she lacked capacity by mid-2023.

“(Marriott's) dealings with his client lacked integrity and is clearly professional misconduct”

In July 2021, Marriott arranged a retainer agreement transferring 50 percent ownership of the client's condo, valued at $385,000, to himself. He also had her will changed to make him the beneficiary of 75 percent of her estate. An inexperienced associate witnessed the agreement.

Marriott was already banned from practicing law for 10 years due to prior professional misconduct findings. His former spouse later filed a charge on the condo title over unpaid child support under the Family Maintenance Enforcement Act.