In a recent development on December 12, 2025, the professional license of lawyer Singa Bui was revoked by the Law Society of Ontario due to conclusive proof of her falsifying bank statements submitted to the regulatory body during a financial review. This action was taken after concerns were raised about a boutique Toronto law firm involved in a $7 million embezzlement case, where it was discovered that large sums of client funds had been misappropriated to support a lavish lifestyle.
During a routine financial audit in the summer of 2022, the Law Society of Ontario conducted a check on Cartel & Bui LLP, but no red flags were raised despite significant withdrawals totaling nearly $140,000 from the firm’s trust account for payments to American Express and a child-care center. Subsequent investigations revealed that the embezzlement at the firm, co-founded by Singa Bui and Nicholas Cartel, persisted for several more months before being reported to the regulatory authorities.
Concerns have been raised about the efficacy of the Law Society of Ontario in safeguarding the public from lawyer misconduct, with individuals affected by the embezzlement expressing disappointment in the oversight mechanisms. While the LSO conducts audits on law firms, including reviews of financial records for regulatory compliance, critics argue that these spot checks are not designed to detect fraudulent activities, leaving the public vulnerable to financial risks.
This issue is particularly critical in sectors like real estate where lawyers handle substantial sums of money from property transactions. The case of Cartel & Bui is not an isolated incident, as demonstrated by other recent instances of alleged financial mismanagement in the legal profession.
Despite the ongoing investigation and disciplinary actions against Bui and Cartel, including potential disbarment and criminal charges, questions remain about the effectiveness of regulatory measures in detecting and preventing financial malpractice within the legal industry. The need for enhanced scrutiny and accountability in monitoring trust accounts to protect clients from potential theft and fraud has been underscored by experts and affected parties alike.
