The New Zealand Law Society says a Dunedin lawyer imprisoned for ripping off his elderly clients has let the whole profession down.

John Milne was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison yesterday, for stealing more than $2 million from clients through a ponzi scheme.

Law Society president Chris Moore says Milne's actions are disappointing, given the number of honest lawyers who do good work.

"We expect very high standards of our lawyers and for very good reason. They're in a position of trust, and he abused that trust."

Mr Moore says the case is one of the biggest abuses of trust the society has ever dealt with.

He concedes he can't be sure others aren't doing the same.

"There's always going to be a risk it's not just with lawyers, it's really in many professions where people are put in a position of trust and there are those again, a small minority, who are prepared to abuse that trust."

Mr Moore says if people suspect their lawyer of dirty dealings they should contact the Law Society immediately.