Vancouver lawyer fined $12K for misconduct involving 30 clients over 5 years
A Vancouver lawyer is facing a $12,000 fine over professional misconduct spanning five years and 30 immigration law clients.
Kashif A. Ahmed has entered a consent agreement with the Law Society of B.C., which he’s been a member of since 2011. In the agreement, he admits to failing to provide his clients with “the quality of service required of a competent lawyer.”
According to a notice of the deal, which was posted online Monday, Ahmed’s misconduct took place between January 2012 and May 2015.
During that period, an unnamed company referred 30 clients to Ahmed, all of them foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to Canada under the Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP).
Through the program—which is designed to attract and retain international entrepreneurs to the territory—the Yukon government can nominate individuals for work permits in Canada, and nominees gain support in their application for permanent residency (PR).
After submitting a total of 30 PR applications to the federal government on behalf of his clients, Ahmed “was surprised” to learn 29 of the submissions included fraudulent YBNP certificates, according to the agreement.
It’s believed his clients were victims of a fraudulent scheme, but the Law Society of B.C. says Ahmed “ought to have known” his clients were receiving unauthorized assistance or advice regarding their immigration applications—potentially from the unnamed company who referred them to the lawyer.
His misconduct includes not reviewing the clients’ PR applications with them directly and without third-party representatives present.
In addition, when notified by the federal government that dozens of his clients were required to attend interviews over their fraudulent applications, Ahmed communicated that information with the company—not directly with the individuals.
As a result, seven of his clients missed their meetings, had their applications denied and were deemed inadmissible to Canada for five years.
According to the consent agreement, another 11 clients were denied permanent residency, but did not receive a five-year ban on reapplying.
The law society found Ahmed also failed to confirm retainer agreements directly with clients, and did not identify potential conflicts of interest.
On top of paying a fine, Ahmed must complete six additional professional development credits by the end of this year. He also has to meet with a bencher to discuss his misconduct.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.