Former Vernon lawyer misappropriated $116K from elderly dementia client for condo
Law Society of B.C. found Leonard Hil Marriott, already banned from practicing, used a client's money to buy property while serving as her power of attorney and naming himself executor of her will.
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A former Vernon lawyer misappropriated $116,000 from an elderly client with dementia, the Law Society of British Columbia tribunal found on September 24 — marking the third elderly client victimized by Leonard Hil Marriott.
Marriott began representing the 84-year-old woman in 2017 and became her power of attorney in 2018, with authority to "make decisions and do anything on the [woman's] behalf in relation to her financial affairs." By July 2021, he observed signs of her cognitive decline and had concerns about her capacity. Despite this, he gave himself 50 per cent ownership of her condo, estimated at $385,000, and used her $116,000 to buy himself a separate condo in Vernon. He also drew on her funds to pay out another client's estate.
Marriott created a will naming himself executor and beneficiary of 75 per cent of the woman's estate. By 2022, her dementia had become severe; by mid-2023, Marriott himself believed she lacked capacity to understand or manage her affairs. Her family filed a complaint to the Law Society in 2023 and a civil suit against him in B.C. Supreme Court the following year.
Marriott admitted to nearly all facts of the case but argued the misappropriation should be characterized as an "improper withdrawal of trust funds" rather than outright theft. The tribunal disagreed. "The purposed loan was contrary to [Marriott's] duty of loyalty and duty to not use his position for personal advantage," the tribunal stated. "(Marriott's) dealings with his client lacked integrity and is clearly professional misconduct."
Marriott had already been banned from practicing law for 10 years following findings of professional misconduct involving two other unrelated elderly clients. As of the tribunal decision, he had not repaid the money.
By the numbers
How much did Leonard Hil Marriott misappropriate from his elderly client?
$116,000. Marriott, a former Vernon lawyer serving as power of attorney, used the funds to purchase a separate condo for himself while his 84-year-old client with dementia was unaware of the transaction.
When did the Law Society of B.C. tribunal issue its finding against Marriott?
September 24, 2026. The tribunal found that Marriott had misappropriated $116,000 from an elderly dementia client, marking the third such victim of his professional misconduct.
How many elderly clients did Marriott victimize?
At least three. The tribunal's September 24, 2026 finding involved an 84-year-old woman; Marriott had previously been banned from practicing law for 10 years following findings of professional misconduct involving two other unrelated elderly clients.
