'Extremely serious' | Solicitor struck off after blackmailing colleague

A solicitor has been struck off after being convicted of blackmailing a fellow director.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) ruled that Michael John Potter, who had been convicted of blackmail by a jury in 2021, would no longer be permitted to practise law following the incident.

The case against Potter, a former director of 350 PPM Ltd, revealed that in 2020, he made unwarranted demands with menaces toward his colleagues, intending to gain financial advantage or cause personal loss. 

According to tribunal documents, Potter’s actions were designed to manipulate those around him in the workplace, exploiting his position of influence to coerce colleagues into complying with his demands. His conduct was deemed a violation of both the law and professional standards, as he exploited the vulnerabilities of colleagues for personal gain.