A barrister from a prominent legal family has been convicted after attempting to falsely claim legal fees from vulnerable clients involved in the Banksia Securities class action. The Victorian County Court heard that Norman O’Bryan breached the trust of class action members, with the judge describing his conduct as a serious violation of professional responsibility. Despite the findings, the court noted his remorse and prior good character as mitigating factors. The 68-year-old was spared jail and instead sentenced to a four-year community corrections order, including 600 hours of unpaid community work, in Melbourne.