Vancouver – The Law Society has ordered Rudi Gellert to be disbarred for professional misconduct. He most recently practised in Surrey, BC.
A hearing panel found that Gellert deliberately misappropriated more than $14,000 in client trust funds. The theft was discovered through a routine audit carried out by Law Society auditors.
Gellert also made threatening comments to an auditor, and refused to respond to requests for information regarding the discovered trust account irregularities. The comments and failures to respond also constituted professional misconduct.
In its decision, the hearing panel noted: “Deliberate misappropriation of funds is among the very most serious betrayals of a client’s trust and constitutes gross dishonesty. Disbarment absolutely ensures no further recurrence of such conduct on the part of the lawyer. It also promotes general deterrence.”
He is required to pay costs in the amount of $8,630.
For more information, see the hearing decision.
The Law Society of British Columbia regulates the more than 11,000 practising lawyers in the province, setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct that ensure the public is well-served by a competent, honourable legal profession.
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For further information or to arrange an interview contact:
Ryan-Sang Lee
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
rlee@lsbc.org