Professional Misconduct Lawyers Representing Lawyers and Paralegals Across Ontario with Law Society of Ontario Matters.
The Law Society of Ontario considers complaints against lawyers or paralegals from any member of the public. If you are the subject of a complaint to the Law Society of Ontario, you will be notified of that complaint and asked to provide a response.
The lawyers at Damien Frost & Associates LLP have extensive experience representing lawyers and paralegals responding to law society complaints on lawyers’ behalf. If you are the subject of a complaint, it is important to have a lawyer represent you in order to ensure that you provide a full response to the complaint, and to ensure that your response is not used against you in the future.
Law Society of Ontario Investigations
You are obligated to cooperate with any Law Society investigation, however you also have the right to representation. A lawyer misconduct defence lawyer will advise you of your rights and responsibilities when you are under investigation.
A lawyer will also communicate with the Law Society of Ontario on your behalf in order to protect your rights and interests. A lawyer acting on your behalf will help to prevent your matter from being sent for a Discipline Hearing or being made public.
Toronto Professional Misconduct Lawyers
If the Law Society receives a complaint or information that you have committed an act of professional misconduct, that you have engaged in conduct that is unbecoming a licensee, or that you have been incapacitated, you need to speak with a lawyer. You may not be notified immediately if a complaint has been made against you. The Law Society can seek additional information or conduct further investigation.
The Law Society will determine whether a complaint or allegation of misconduct can be resolved through the Complaints Resolution Department, or where there are more serious allegations, the Law Society can refer the matter to the Investigation Department. In either case, if you are a lawyer or a paralegal who is being investigated, you should seek legal assistance. A Law Society of Ontario complaints lawyer in your corner can do everything possible to resolve a complaint or investigations confidentially.
It is crucial to have legal assistance throughout the investigation process, whether a complaint has been made against you or you have self-reported criminal charges. Law Society investigators can request that you attend an interview in person or provide written responses to specific questions. Investigators can attend your law practice or office. They can speak to your colleagues or other potential witnesses. Investigators can also request that you turn over documents relevant to the complaint or allegation of professional misconduct. If you are being investigated by the Law Society you should seek immediate legal assistance.
Discipline Hearings at the Law Society of Ontario
If you have received a Notice of Hearing from the Law Society, your matter has been sent for a Disciplinary Hearing. A Discipline Hearing is similar to a trial and, just like a trial, you should have legal representation.
Hearings are generally open to the public. At the end of a hearing, the Law Society has the power to order you to pay the costs of the investigation and hearing and/or pay a fine, impose terms and conditions on your licence of registration, and even suspend or revoke your licence of registration.
If you have received a Notice of Hearing from the Law Society of Ontario, contact the lawyers at Damien Frost & Associates LLP today.
Lawyer Licencing and Re-licencing
Whether you are a lawyer or paralegal whose licence to practice law has been revoked in the past, or the Law Society is in the process of revoking your licence following a Tribunal decision, our firm can help you apply for re-admission to the Law Society.
The Law Society will take a number of factors into account when a former lawyer or paralegal reapplies for admission. For example, factors such as the nature of the misconduct, the applicant’s conduct since being removed, remorse, rehabilitation, are all relevant to whether the applicant meets the test for good character. If you are re-applying to the Law Society after being removed for misconduct, incapacity, or other circumstances, you should speak to a lawyer who can assist with your application. If you are thinking of re-applying to the Law Society of Ontario or have been denied entry, contact the lawyers at Damien Frost & Associates LLP today to schedule a free consultation to discuss how our firm can help guide you through the application process.
Lawyer Advertising Investigations
Over the past few years, the Law Society of Ontario has initiated several investigations into advertising practices by lawyers and paralegals. As a result, the law on appropriate advertising and the limits of what can be published online has evolved. Lawyers and paralegals must be careful to ensure that their advertising, whether in print or on their website, is not misleading. The Law Society has taken the position that aggressive or potentially misleading advertising can rise to the level of professional misconduct.
If you or your firm has been contacted by the Law Society because of your advertising, you should speak to a lawyer immediately to understand your rights and obligations. If you are developing an advertising campaign and wish to seek proactive legal advice on the limits of what you can and cannot say, contact our professional misconduct lawyer for lawyers and paralegals to schedule a free consultation. We have expertise in these complex legal matters and can help you defend your career and reputation.
