A former lawyer in British Columbia has been disbarred after taking a settlement of $18,200 from a client and then cutting off all communication with them, according to the Law Society of British Columbia.
The disbarred lawyer, who has not been named, was found to have violated the Law Society Rules by failing to provide competent representation and by failing to communicate with the client. The client had hired the lawyer to handle a personal injury claim, but after receiving the settlement, the lawyer ceased all communication with the client.
The Law Society’s investigation found that the lawyer had failed to properly advise the client on the settlement and had not provided any documentation or explanation for the amount received. The client was left feeling confused and frustrated, as they were unable to get any answers from the lawyer.
The Law Society has stated that the lawyer’s actions were a clear breach of their professional obligations and that they have a duty to act in the best interests of their clients. The disbarred lawyer has been ordered to pay back the full amount of the settlement to the client, along with an additional $5,000 in costs.
This is not the first time the disbarred lawyer has faced disciplinary action. In 2018, they were suspended for six months for failing to properly represent a client and for failing to respond to the Law Society’s inquiries.
The Law Society is reminding the public to always do their due diligence when hiring a lawyer and to report any concerns or issues with their representation. They also encourage clients to ask for written documentation and to keep a record of all communication with their lawyer.
The disbarred lawyer has 30 days to appeal the decision. If no appeal is made, their name will be removed from the Law Society’s list of practicing lawyers.
