News Release
May 01, 2014

UPDATES SINCE ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE

  • June 16, 2014: On June 1, 2014, Welder was granted a stay of suspension. His suspension went into effect on June 13, 2014.

Vancouver, May 1, 2014 – The Law Society has suspended Douglas Warren Welder for professional misconduct. Welder has most recently practised in Kelowna, BC. The suspension, which is to last for a minimum one year period, is to begin on June 1, 2014.  

A hearing panel found that Welder had acted in a conflict of interest while representing a client in a foreclosure proceeding against a former client.  

In its decision, the panel said, “Acting in a conflict of interest amounts to a breach of one of the bastions of the legal profession, ranking with confidentiality, loyalty to clients, fulfilling undertakings, safeguarding trust funds, and duties to the Courts. Failure to uphold these bastions leads to disintegration of the public’s confidence in the profession.”

The suspensions will not be lifted until Welder completes 12 credits of approved Continuing Professional Development this year, and a remedial course on professional ethics. After his suspension is lifted, he will also be required to undergo two consecutive semi-annual practice reviews that successfully demonstrate satisfactory trust accounting procedures, satisfactory file management, appropriate conflict checks and decisions, and an understanding of substantive legal issues at the level of a competent lawyer. Welder has been ordered to pay $13,692 in costs.

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