B.C. lawyer disbarred after misappropriating $400K in client cash

A B.C. lawyer with more than 25 years' experience has been disbarred after misappropriating more than $400,000 from his clients.

In one case, Steven Neil Mansfield who practised as a family lawyer in Vancouver kept $200,000 in child support from a client so he could pay off his own debt.

After being investigated, he blamed his actions on a gambling addiction.

In its decision, the Law Society of B.C.said "anything less than this disbarment [for Mansfield]would be wholly inadequate for the protection of the public."

Used cash to 'meet a debt'

Mansfield started practising law in B.C. in 1993. He'd been workingalone as the BayshoreLaw Group since 2013.

One client, TH, hired him to settle a divorce and child support case. TH's ex-spouse ended up paying TH $200,000 in child support as a result, which their lawyer gave to Mansfield in 2016.

Instead of passing that money to TH, Mansfield took the cash and used it to "meet a debt."

The decision said he used money from another client, YZ,to pay her back.

Mansfield pushed that second client, YZ,to settle with his ex-wife for $200,000 later in 2016.

YZ agreed and transferred the money to Mansfieldwho used it to repay TH.

'Marked' departure from the norm

Mansfield lost his registration as a lawyer after he failed to pay fees in January 2017.

He was disbarredon Oct. 5 after a disciplinary hearing.

In its decision, the law society panel said Mansfield's actions were a "marked" departure from the standard lawyers are expected to meet.

It also said Mansfield apologized, agreed with the disbarmentand blamed a gambling addictionfor his actions.

Thepanel said an addictionwasn't enough to justify his actions.

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