John Briner, Vancouver lawyer, disbarred over misappropriation of funds

A Vancouver lawyer has been ordered disbarred after a Law Society of B.C. investigation found professional misconduct.

The society says John Briner misappropriated trust funds of more than $50,000, breached trust accounting rules and failed to co-operate with its investigation.

It says a disciplinary hearing found Briner used one of his client's trust funds to cover an overdraft in another client's trust account in December 2012.

The society says Briner gained a clear advantage.

It also says he offered no evidence to support his position that the misappropriation was a simple mistake.

The society sets standards of professional responsibility for lawyers in B.C. and upholds the regulations through a complaints and discipline process.