Myron Simmons, a former government lawyer and husband of ex-Attorney-General Kathy Lynn Simmons, has been disbarred after admitting violations of the Barrister’s Code of Professional Conduct. In October, he pleaded guilty to three counts stemming from a complaint filed in March 2022.
The tribunal mandated that all trust funds under Simmons’ control be transferred to an accountant appointed by the Bar Council within 28 days, prohibiting him from handling these funds without written approval. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $5,000 in costs.
The allegations against Simmons date back to 2011, when he received $52,000 from clients Gena and Richard Robinson for stamp duty on a property but failed to pay it to the Office of the Tax Commissioner, instead using the funds for personal expenses. He later agreed to repay the Robinsons $52,000 plus over $18,800 in interest.
Simmons also faced accusations related to his work for HSBC Bank Bermuda Ltd from 2008 to 2011, where he neglected to pay stamp duty on at least 14 transactions, jeopardizing the bank’s security. Furthermore, while administering the estate of Raphelita Clarke, he misled her about the use of proceeds from a property sale, only partially paying the required stamp duty and failing to account for over $200,000.
After numerous failed attempts by Clarke to resolve the matter, she sought new legal counsel, resulting in a consent judgment requiring Simmons to pay her $199,200.34.
Simmons, who resigned from the Attorney-General’s Chambers in March 2023, was briefly employed as a legal consultant before establishing his own firm, Onyx Law. He was still under contract with the Attorney-General’s Chambers when his disbarment became public. In April, it was confirmed that neither Simmons nor his firm was employed by the ministry. Mrs. Simmons stepped down from her roles later that summer.
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