Lawyers

The Law Society of B.C. tribunal hearing panel disbarred Richmond lawyer Hong Guo, in a decision issued on Nov. 17, 2023. It determined Guo’s long history of professional misconduct made her ‘ungovernable.’ (Unsplash)

B.C. lawyer disbarred following decade-long history of misconduct

Hong Guo is ‘ungovernable,’ according to Law Society of B.C. panel

 

B.C. sexual assault survivors now have access to up to three hours of free legal advice, thanks to a new service from the Community Legal Assistance Society. (Pixabay)

B.C. sexual assault survivors can receive free legal advice with new service

Reported sexual assaults reached highest number in 25 years in 2021, according to Statistics Canada

 

A Nanaimo lawyer was fined for sharing “locker-room talk” gossip with a client two years ago. (Stock photo)

Nanaimo lawyer fined for gossiping about member of the judiciary

Lawyer shared ‘locker-room talk’ gossip two years ago that made client uncomfortable

 

B.C. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says Bill 5 gives government lawyers what they want, which is to join a union. But the BC Government Lawyers Association say they do not want join the Professional Employees Association. Conroy addresses Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce members on March 24, 2023. (Trevor Crawley photo.)

B.C. government lawyers protest bill that would prevent forming a new union

Province says ‘incredible number of unions’ can become a difficult situation for the employer

B.C. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says Bill 5 gives government lawyers what they want, which is to join a union. But the BC Government Lawyers Association say they do not want join the Professional Employees Association. Conroy addresses Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce members on March 24, 2023. (Trevor Crawley photo.)
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Doreen Koch, 92, of Lumby, who has spent over $100,000 in legal fees fighting for the right to own her property after her son signed a contract to sell the property before dying of liver failure in 2020. (GoFundMe photo)

B.C. senior in legal battle over property

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for Doreen Koch, 92, to help her pay her lawyer bills

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Doreen Koch, 92, of Lumby, who has spent over $100,000 in legal fees fighting for the right to own her property after her son signed a contract to sell the property before dying of liver failure in 2020. (GoFundMe photo)
Finance Minister Katrine Conroy say legislation introduced Thursday recognizes government lawyers can unionize. They say it limits their rights. (Photo courtesy of Government of B.C.)

B.C. government lawyers cry foul over unionization bid

New legislation undermines their rights, says the association representing 350 lawyers

  • Feb 13, 2023
Finance Minister Katrine Conroy say legislation introduced Thursday recognizes government lawyers can unionize. They say it limits their rights. (Photo courtesy of Government of B.C.)
Three significant cases were adjourned in BC Supreme Court in Duncan Monday. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Three high-profile court cases adjourned

New dates set for charges against Bennett, Alphonse and Dodd

Three significant cases were adjourned in BC Supreme Court in Duncan Monday. (Photo by Don Bodger)
(Black Press Media file photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria lawyer Rosario Canteno Di Bella has been suspended four months for professional misconduct. (Creative Outlet)

Victoria lawyer suspended for negligence by Law Society Tribunal

Rosario Canteno Di Bella to serve a four-month suspension beginning Jan. 1

Victoria lawyer Rosario Canteno Di Bella has been suspended four months for professional misconduct. (Creative Outlet)
West Shore lawyer Valerie Hemminger Long accepted a two-week suspension for handing out MDMA to two Halloween party guests in 2019. (File contributed/Pathway Legal Law Corporation)

West Shore lawyer suspended for sharing MDMA at a Halloween party

Not the first hearing for Valorie Hemminger Long, whose 2-week suspension starts Aug. 28

West Shore lawyer Valerie Hemminger Long accepted a two-week suspension for handing out MDMA to two Halloween party guests in 2019. (File contributed/Pathway Legal Law Corporation)
Greater Victoria lawyer Peter Darren Hart was disbarred July 20 after the Law Society of B.C. found he had misappropriated funds and acted in a conflict of interest. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria lawyer disbarred for misappropriating client funds

Panel found Peter Darren Hart’s actions “intentional and self-serving”

Greater Victoria lawyer Peter Darren Hart was disbarred July 20 after the Law Society of B.C. found he had misappropriated funds and acted in a conflict of interest. (Black Press Media file photo)
Queen’s counsel Paul Doroshenko, a Vancouver lawyer, has been suspended from practice for two months after admitting that his firm mismanaged $44,353.19 in client trust funds. (Acumen Law)

High-profile B.C. lawyer suspended over $44K in mismanaged client trust funds

Queen’s counsel Paul Doroshenko admits he failed to supervise his staff and find or report the shortages

Queen’s counsel Paul Doroshenko, a Vancouver lawyer, has been suspended from practice for two months after admitting that his firm mismanaged $44,353.19 in client trust funds. (Acumen Law)
Brad Regehr poses for an undated handout photo. Regehr, the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Bar Association in its 125-year history, says the suffering his grandfather endured at a residential school fuelled his passion to work toward fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action and he feels even more emboldened by the recent discovery of what are believed to be the remains of over 200 children on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Bar Association, Daniel Crump, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Canadian Bar Association urges firms to hire more Indigenous lawyers

The initiative is part of a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 report

Brad Regehr poses for an undated handout photo. Regehr, the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Bar Association in its 125-year history, says the suffering his grandfather endured at a residential school fuelled his passion to work toward fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action and he feels even more emboldened by the recent discovery of what are believed to be the remains of over 200 children on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Bar Association, Daniel Crump, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Students and staff with the Nunavut Law program pose for a photo in downtown Iqaluit in 2017, the year this program was formally launched. For the first time in more than 15 years, Nunavut has a group of homegrown lawyers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Nunavut Law Program-Benjamin Ralston *MANDATORY CREDIT*

‘To make change in Nunavut’: Homegrown lawyers ready to enter legal profession

Emily Karpik said that job made her realize how badly Inuit were needed to work in Nunavut’s courts

Students and staff with the Nunavut Law program pose for a photo in downtown Iqaluit in 2017, the year this program was formally launched. For the first time in more than 15 years, Nunavut has a group of homegrown lawyers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Nunavut Law Program-Benjamin Ralston *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Former professional practices lawyer suspended for faking expense claims. (File photo)

B.C. lawyer overseeing professional standards at society suspended for faking expense claims

He had previously been the Manager for Professional Conduct

Former professional practices lawyer suspended for faking expense claims. (File photo)
John Borrows, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria’s law school, was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada on Dec. 30. (Courtesy of John Borrows)

UVic professor appointed officer of Order of Canada

John Borrows is recognized for his work on Indigenous rights and laws

John Borrows, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria’s law school, was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada on Dec. 30. (Courtesy of John Borrows)
Crystal Irene Buchan will begin her one month suspension starting on Tuesday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria lawyer suspended for second time in 2020

Crystal Irene Buchan began her one month suspension Tuesday

Crystal Irene Buchan will begin her one month suspension starting on Tuesday. (Black Press Media file photo)
News Bulletin file photo

Nanaimo lawyer suspended for misconduct in representing ‘Lost Canadians’

Law society hearing panel decides James Straith was in conflict of interest, billed improperly

News Bulletin file photo