Former Victoria lawyer disbarred for misconduct, ordered to pay $49K in legal costs
The Law Society of British Columbia has disbarred a former Victoria lawyer who misappropriated $100,000 from a client and made false and misleading claims to those he had represented, according to a decision by the society's disciplinary tribunal.
Lindsay Adam Christopher Ross was also found to have acted in a conflict of interest when he represented his wife, his cousin and her spouse in the purchase and sale of multiple properties, the law society said in a disciplinary notice published Friday.
The tribunal also found Ross invested a client's money in a project in which he and his wife had a personal stake, eventually distributing the proceeds from the sale entirely to his wife despite knowing the funds were not enough to pay the other parties involved their proper share, the notice said.
The tribunal found Ross's misconduct was "committed for his own personal financial benefit," saying the senior lawyer, who was highly experienced in complex commercial transactions, used his expertise to mislead his clients.
Lawyer must pay legal costs
"Misappropriation is the most serious misconduct that a lawyer can commit," the tribunal noted in its decision issued on March 19.
The three-member panel also took into consideration Ross's prior record of professional conduct, which "shows serious lapses of responsibility regarding trust accounting processes and lack of respect for lawyers and the court," the society added.
In addition to the disbarment, Ross was ordered to pay $49,075 in legal costs incurred during the hearing.
According to the tribunal's decision, Ross was admitted as a member of the law society in 1989, one year after he was called to the bar in Alberta. He retired as a lawyer in June 2020, was suspended from practice the following month and was no longer a law society member as of Jan. 1, 2021.
Despite his resignation, the law society tribunal says it has the authority and responsibility to investigate and pursue disciplinary action even against a lawyer who has ceased to be a member of the society.
"This is to assure the public and the profession that the consequences of misconduct cannot be avoided simply by resigning from the law society," the disciplinary panel wrote. "It also provides a record in the event that a member applies to renew their membership or to practise law in another jurisdiction."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Melanie Joly 'forward-leaning' in debate on Ukraine using NATO arms inside Russia
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is suggesting Canada would support a policy of allowing Ukraine to use NATO-provided arms inside Russia.
Fast-paced, highflying SailGP blows into Halifax for weekend competition
Ten countries, including Canada, each with teams of six sailors, are battling head-to-head on Halifax Harbour this weekend for the Canadian debut of SailGP (Grand Prix).
Donald Trump can sue niece over NY Times article, court rules
A New York state appeals court said Donald Trump can sue his niece Mary Trump for giving the New York Times information for its Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 probe into his finances and his alleged effort to avoid taxes.
Shania Twain shares how she forgave her ex-husband's cheating: 'It's his mistake'
Shania Twain recently addressed the infidelity that rocked her marriage to Robert 'Mutt' Lange, whom she divorced in 2010 after he had an affair with her friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
Supreme Court won't hear appeal in Montreal brainwashing experiments case
The Supreme Court of Canada will not review a Quebec ruling that bars people from suing the U.S. government in Canada over its role in notorious brainwashing experiments at a Montreal psychiatric hospital.