British ColumbiaA Vernon lawyer who was forced to resign after findings of professional misconduct related to elderly clients has consented to having his law practice seized by the Law Society of British Columbia.Leonard Marriott forced to resign and barred from practising law for 10 yearsKarin Larsen · CBC News · Posted: Sep 05, 2025 4:41 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoThe Law Society of B.C. was granted a consent order in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Friday to take control of the law practice of Leonard Hil Marriott. (Peter Scobie/CBC)A Vernon lawyer who was forced to resign after findings of professional misconduct related to elderly clients has consented to having his law practice seized by the Law Society of British Columbia.In a related action, Leonard Hil Marriott also agreed to stop acting in fiduciary roles that arose from solicitor client relationships.The developments are the result of a petition in B.C. Supreme Court brought by the province’s legal regulator after determining Marriott was still controlling solicitor trust accounts associated with his practice, North Valley Law. Marriott resigned on July 1 and was barred from practising for 10 years after the Law Society of B.C. found him guilty of professional misconduct in dealings with two elderly clients. Borrowed thousandsCourt documents filed by the Law Society also describe “serious concern” relating to a third elderly client, MB, who granted Marriott an enduring power of attorney over her affairs in 2018.A Law Society investigation found that in the years following, Marriott borrowed thousands of dollars from MB — including $35,000, which he used to buy a condo — caused a 50 per cent interest in MB’s residence to be transferred to his name, and “prepared a will, executed by MB, naming him as executor and leaving him a 75 per cent interest in her estate.”The Law Society of B.C. found Marriott guilty of professional misconduct in dealings with two elderly clients. (Manjula Dufresne/CBC)Last year, MB and two of her siblings filed a civil lawsuit against Marriott that says MB was “shocked, dismayed and distraught” to learn Marriott had gained legal and beneficial ownership of her home — currently worth $569,000, according to B.C. Assessment. The claim alleges that Marriott “conspired” to gain control of the property, and to remove and divert MB’s money for his own benefit.Marriott denies the allegations, stating in his response to the lawsuit that MB “suffers from severe dementia and is not able to manage her affairs or person.”Professional misconductIn February, a Law Society panel found Marriott committed professional misconduct related to elderly client, SG.That decision says Marriott filed an incorrect form with the Land Titles Office that led to a legal mess, and that he drafted and filed materials with the Supreme Court of B.C. that he knew or ought to have known contained false or misleading information.The decision states that while Marriott’s behaviour could be characterized as incompetence, the panel “prefers the adverse determination of professional misconduct as his conduct contained the added elements of lack of candour and honesty.”In December 2024, Marriott was also found guilty of professional misconduct in the case of client AB, a 95-year-old woman who retained Marriott to prepare her will.The Law Society decision said Marriott made numerous errors in preparing the will, withdrew an excessive $71,000 in executor fees from AB’s estate without authorization, and improperly withdrew another $7,560 in legal fees. In an email, the Law Society said it will be taking over Marriott’s former law practice, including all of his files and records. “We are confident this measure will protect the public going forward,” said a spokesperson. ABOUT THE AUTHORKarin Larsen is a former Olympian and award winning sports broadcaster who covers news and sports for CBC Vancouver.
Law practice of disgraced Vernon lawyer seized by B.C.’s legal regulator
