Vancouver — Sheldon Goldberg is no longer a practising Vancouver lawyer after resigning as a member of the Law Society of BC in the face of disciplinary proceedings brought against him by the regulatory body.
Goldberg has given an undertaking, effective Aug. 1, 2009, stating he will not apply for five years to be reinstated as a Law Society of BC member or apply for membership in any other jurisdiction without advising the Law Society. Goldberg, who was called to the bar in 1973, also has agreed he will not allow his name to appear on the letterhead or work in any capacity for any lawyer or law firm in BC without first obtaining written consent from the Law Society.
The Law Society, which has a mandate to protect the public interest by regulating the conduct of lawyers, authorized citations against Goldberg on May 1, 2008 and April 27, 2009.
The May 1 citation alleged Goldberg failed to appear in Provincial Court to set a date and failed to respond to communications from the Law Society when it was investigating complaints against him made by the Provincial Court judiciary. A hearing panel of Benchers of the Law Society determined that Goldberg engaged in professional misconduct. Given Goldberg’s resignation, the hearing scheduled to determine the appropriate penalty will not proceed.
The April 27 citation relates to Goldberg’s conduct in trials in BC Supreme Court and Provincial Court and includes allegations that he displayed disrespect for the court and a lack of knowledge or skill relating to criminal practice and procedure. It also alleges he conducted himself in a manner contrary to his obligations as an officer of the court. The hearing of this citation has not been scheduled.
As part of its agreement with Goldberg, the Law Society’s Discipline Committee agreed to withdraw the citations and put them on his personal file for consideration by the Credentials Committee if he ever applies for reinstatement. Should he apply for reinstatement, a credentials hearing will be ordered and the onus will be on Goldberg to establish that he is a person of good character and reputation and is fit to become a barrister and solicitor.
The Law Society of BC was incorporated in 1884 and is the governing body of the legal profession in BC. Under the provisions of the Legal Profession Act, the Law Society is responsible for the licensing, professional conduct and discipline of the more than 10,000 lawyers in BC.
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For further information, contact:
Michael Bernard, Communications Manager
The Law Society of BC
Desk: 604-697-5838 Mobile: 604-341-4535
Toll-free in BC: 1-800-903-5300