VANCOUVER — Pursuant to its statutory duty to govern BC’s legal profession in the public interest, the Law Society of BC has disciplined the following lawyers (the lawyer’s year of call to the BC Bar and location of practice appear in parentheses). Full hearing reports are posted on the Law Society’s website at www.lawsociety.bc.ca.
Lorne Irving Smiley (1972, Vancouver), admitted professional misconduct in that he delayed filing a tax form for a client, attempted to mislead the client as to whether the task had been completed and failed to respond promptly to communications from the Law Society. A hearing panel accepted Mr. Smiley’s admissions and his proposed penalty of a one-month suspension beginni ng October 1, 2006 and costs of $2,000.
Nives Emelia Racette (1982, ceased membership January 1, 2005), admitted professional misconduct in that she failed to respond to Law Society communications regarding two complaints and failed to respond reasonably promptly to communications from another lawyer. A hearing panel ordered that she be reprimanded and pay $18,717.24 in costs. Ms. Racette is a former member who on September 16, 2003 provided the Law Society with an undertaking not to practice law. The discipline proceedings relate to a period during which she was a member.
David Kok Kwong Tsang (1999, ceased membership January 1, 2006), admitted professional misconduct for his failure to respond to communications from the Law Society regarding a complaint. Mr. Tsang also admitted to the Discipline Committee that he failed to account to his client for a $1,000 retainer. Mr. Tsang is a former member who on October 18, 2004 provided the Law Society with an undertaking not to practice law. The discipline proceedings relate to a period during which he was a member.
Parmjit Singh Virk (1997, Surrey) , admitted he committed professional misconduct when he breached an undertaking. A hearing panel accepted Mr. Virk’s admissions and his proposed penalty of a $2,000 fine and costs of $2,000.
Elmer Vernon Epp (1981, Kamloops), was found guilty of professional misconduct for breaching an undertaking. A hearing panel ordered that he be reprimanded, pay a $5,000 fine and pay $5,000 in costs.
Interim Suspensions
Alan James Short (1978, Parksville),Pursuant to s. 39 of the Legal Profession Act and Law Society Rule 4-17(1), Mr. Short has been suspended pending final disposition of a citation.
Jerome Anthony Williams (1995, Sechelt ),Pursuant to s. 39 of the Legal Profession Act and Law Society Rule 4-17(1), Mr. Williams has been suspended pending final disposition of a citation.
Law Society of BC media contact:
Brad Daisley, Public Affairs Manager
Office: 604 443-5724 or 1-800-903-5300 toll-free in BC
Email: bdaisley@lsbc.org
www.lawsociety.bc.ca