News Release
January 29, 2013

Vancouver – A Law Society hearing panel has handed down a one-month suspension to lawyer Thomas John Johnston, to commence February 1, 2013. The Panel also ordered Johnston to pay $6,448 in costs to the Law Society.

Johnston was cited in December 2011 after allegedly intentionally misleading a client and failing to provide an adequate level of service. He was representing four clients in a BC Supreme Court matter in Penticton.

During the hearing in November 2012, Johnston admitted the allegations and agreed his behavior amounted to professional misconduct.

“The Respondent has admitted to a course of action that in essence forced his Clients to accept settlement terms,” stated the panel in its decision. “There is no suggestion that the Respondent was acting in anything other than the best interests of his Clients as he perceived them. However, based on the evidence, he did clearly contradict his Clients’ instructions and at times obviously misled his Clients.”

The decision of the hearing panel can be found by searching the decisions database.

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.

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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