A Vernon attorney previously barred from legal practice due to inappropriate dealings with elderly clients has been discovered to have unlawfully taken $117,000 from a female client suffering from dementia. The recent ruling against Leonard Hil Marriott was issued by a tribunal of the Law Society of British Columbia on September 24. The Society defines such actions as equivalent to theft.
According to the tribunal decision, Marriott utilized the woman’s funds to purchase an apartment for himself and settle another client’s estate. The decision highlighted that this utilization of funds went against Marriott’s obligations of loyalty and not exploiting his position for personal benefit. To date, Marriott has not repaid the misappropriated funds.
Last year, Marriott was banned by the Law Society for a decade following findings of professional misconduct involving two separate elderly clients. The latest case involves a third client, an 84-year-old woman, for whom Marriott began acting in 2017. In 2018, Marriott facilitated a power of attorney agreement allowing him to manage the woman’s financial affairs on her behalf.
Additionally, aside from the misused funds, the Law Society indicated that Marriott arranged documentation to secure a 50% ownership share in the woman’s condo, valued at nearly $400,000 at that time. Subsequently, a maintenance enforcement order, related to unpaid child support, was placed on the property by Marriott’s ex-spouse but was later removed. In March of the following year, Marriott transferred legal ownership back to the woman at the Society’s request.
Marriott also drafted a will for the woman naming himself as the executor and beneficiary of 75% of her estate. Despite acknowledging the woman’s dementia, Marriott claimed to have established a close familial-like bond with her. While admitting to most of the facts presented, Marriott unsuccessfully argued that the $117,000 should be categorized as an “improper withdrawal of funds,” a less severe offense than misappropriation.
Forensic accountant and certified fraud examiner Marilyn Mellis mentioned that regulatory bodies such as the Law Society typically do not trigger criminal investigations. Mellis noted that it is uncommon for law enforcement to pursue prosecution in cases of alleged white-collar crimes, leaving victims frustrated. Regulatory bodies lack the authority to demand repayment for victims, as that falls under the court’s jurisdiction through civil or criminal proceedings.
Three years ago, the woman’s family initiated a civil lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court, accusing Marriott of conspiring to divert funds for personal gain and control over her property. Marriott denied the claims, asserting that he always acted in the woman’s best interests. Family members have also sought legal guardianship for the woman through a separate petition currently under court review.
Subsequent to his 2025 ban, Marriott’s North Valley Law firm was taken over by the Law Society due to his continued control over solicitor trust accounts. Attempts by CBC News to reach Marriott for comment were unsuccessful.
