Vancouver, June 10, 2015 – The Law Society sets standards of professional responsibility for BC lawyers and articled students, and upholds those standards through a complaints and discipline process. These standards and processes are important to maintain public confidence and trust in lawyers. Accordingly, the Law Society has ordered that lawyer Philip Richard Derksen of Abbotsford be suspended for professional misconduct.
Before a hearing panel on February 20, 2015, Derksen admitted professional misconduct in relation to four allegations occurring between August 2011 and December 2012. The allegations included: failure to notify the Law Society of unsatisfied monetary judgements against him, failure to comply with Law Society Rules governing receipt of trust funds from two clients, and directing funds to be deposited into a trust account that did not meet the definition of “trust funds”, all contrary to Law Society Rules.
Derksen consented to a 45 day suspension to begin on February 20, 2015 and was required to pay hearing costs in the amount of $1,000. Oral reasons were provided on February 20, 2015 accepting the admission of professional misconduct and proposed disciplinary action.
Written reasons confirming the panel’s decision were released on June 3, 2015.
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:
Tim Travis
Communications Officer
604.697.5836
ttravis@lsbc.org
David Jordan
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
djordan@lsbc.org