Auckland defence lawyer Barry Hart says he will appeal a disciplinary tribunal's decision that found him guilty on three charges of professional misconduct.
The tribunal found Mr Hart over-charged a family by $20,000 for handling their case, failed to pay in full a private investigator, and refused to disclose a file to a standards committee when a complaint was made against him.
Mr Hart did not attend the hearing last month, saying he was unwell.
The disciplinary tribunal is yet to decide on his punishment.
3 News