Vancouver – Vancouver lawyer Laird Russell Cruickshank has been suspended for 45 days commencing September 1, 2013 and has also been ordered to reimburse the Law Society for costs in the amount of $6,498.
Cruickshank admitted that his behaviour constituted professional misconduct and a breach of Law Society Rules. Specifically, he was disciplined for:
failing to serve two clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner,
failing to pay disbursement accounts sent to him by opposing counsel,
failing to respond promptly to opposing counsel,
receiving a contingency fee from a client without having entered into an agreement in writing,
failing to account in writing for trust funds received, and
withdrawing trust funds without authorization to pay bills of other clients.
During Cruickshank’s suspension, Ronald Huinink has agreed to manage Cruickshank’s practice so that his clients will have continuous access to the legal services they require. Clients of Cruickshank can contact Huinink at 604.688.3933 for assistance.
For more, see the decision of the hearing panel on disciplinary action.
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