Vancouver – The Law Society has accepted the resignation of lawyer James Hu, effective January 31, 2013. Hu, a lawyer who worked primarily in residential real estate conveyances, also agreed not to apply for reinstatement for a period of seven years.
In submitting his resignation to the Discipline Committee, Hu admitted to:
twenty-three instances of misappropriation of funds between 2007 and 2010;
four breaches of undertaking;
one hundred sixty-seven trust fund shortages between 2007 and 2010 that were not immediately eliminated, 29 of which were not reported to the Law Society as required;
failure to supervise staff;
failure to safeguard client confidentiality;
failure to maintain certain parts of his books, records and accounts;
twenty-one instances of withdrawing funds from trust to pay his fees without first preparing and delivering a bill to his client.
Hu admitted this behaviour constitutes professional misconduct. The Agreed Statement of Facts can be found by searching the decisions database.
“The most significant disciplinary action the Law Society can take is to remove a lawyer’s ability to practise law,” said Deborah Armour, Chief Legal Officer. “In this case, we have proactively obtained the lawyer’s resignation and he has agreed not to apply for reinstatement for seven years. The public is protected.”
The Law Society of British Columbia regulates the more than 10,000 lawyers in the province, setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct that ensure the public is well-served by a competent, honourable legal profession.
-30-
For further information or to arrange an interview contact:
Ben Hadaway
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
bhadaway@lsbc.org
Robyn Crisanti
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
604.697.5845
rcrisanti@lsbc.org