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A Queensland lawyer convicted over the theft of almost $90,000 from her firm’s trust account may be struck from the roll.
Jami-Lee Sorbello has agreed to have her name struck from the roll of legal practitioners following her fraud conviction for misappropriating $89,800 from GPC Legal’s trust account.
The first of the 43 transactions occurred on 18 January 2023, mere months after Sorbello became sole practitioner of GPC.
The final transaction occurred seven months later.
Sorbello pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, suspended after four months.
In addition to the criminal offence, the disciplinary action also concerned Sorbello’s conduct in engaging in legal practice without a practising certificate in July and August 2023.
The work included providing legal advice, suggesting amendments to contracts, and corresponding with other law practices about conveyancing matters and settlements.
Justice Duncan McMeekin KC, judicial member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), said he and panel members Ross Perrett and Keith Revell were satisfied the Legal Services Commissioner had established the charges.
“Given the serious dishonesty involved, and the practising without a practising certificate seems to have been advertent, there is no other course,” Justice McMeekin said.
The misappropriated funds were repaid in February 2024.
“Obviously a practitioner who engages in misappropriating trust monies is not a fit and proper person to appear on the roll of an honourable profession,” the QCAT bench said.
“The respondent here acted dishonestly – on many occasions.”
Citation: Legal Services Commissioner v Sorbello [2026] QCAT 490.
