Predator Revoked
The Law Society of Ontario Tribunal Hearing Division has revoked the license of an attorney on these findings of fact
In 2014, the Licensee propositioned a potential client in his office as she tried to retain his legal services.
In 2015, the Licensee subjected an employee in his employer’s law firm to unwelcome sexual solicitations, sexual touching, requests for sexual favours, comments, and the display of pornography in the law office and at office-related events. He further involved this employee in his purchase of an illicit drug from a client of the law firm.
In 2016, the Licensee engaged in sexual acts with an underaged former client, providing alcohol and drugs to that person and her underaged friend, and, shortly after the end of his representation of her in court, impregnated her while she was a Crown ward. The underaged friend was arrested and charged for consuming alcohol, supplied to her by the Licensee, in breach of her terms of parole.
In 2016 and 2017, the Licensee hosted parties for minors at his employer’s law office outside of regular business hours, providing alcohol and drugs for their consumption.
In 2018, the Licensee assaulted a domestic partner.
Sanction
The Licensee’s actions were egregious. The consequences for the victims are devastating, lifelong and cannot be remedied by compensation. There is no possibility of effective restitution. His actions call out for a penalty that acknowledges the gravity and consequences of his misconduct in order to serve as general and specific deterrence, and to maintain public confidence in the standard of conduct the Law Society requires of its licensees: Law Society of Upper Canada v. Johnston, [2001] LSDD No. 59 at paras. 37 and 46.
The Licensee’s conduct impacted victims who were particularly vulnerable as a result of their youth, socio-economic or employment situation. His conduct exploited the power imbalance created by his status as a lawyer and was predatory in nature. It is conduct of the worst sort and must be subject to a severe penalty: Law Society of Upper Canada v. Martin, 2011 ONLSHP 95 at paras. 8 and 12.
A clear signal must be sent to all licensees, and to the public, that such exploitation of the power and authority conferred by a licence to practise law or provide legal services will not be tolerated.
The licensee did not participate in the hearing.
The Star covered the proceedings including a witness who came forward after charges were filed
Most disturbing, however, was the account given by Bella on Oct. 4, the woman who contacted the Law Society after learning of last week’s hearing.
Bella, now 38, had been seven days into a family law trial in 2014, representing herself, when she contacted Grant, whose name had been provided by a friend.
She was seeking advice on how to conduct closing arguments. They met in his office after-hours, had drinks, and Grant tried to kiss her. After she left, Grant texted her, saying he’d like to see her again. Thus began an on-and-off relationship that ended after the alleged assault in Florence on May 31. Bella is the young woman Grant had taken to Europe.
She has provided [Law Society investigator] Borg with a report from Italian police about the alleged assault and photos taken upon her return to Canada, documenting the injuries.
Bella said Grant had become agitated and aggressive after dinner at a restaurant — he’d asked the waiter for cocaine, which upset her, she said — because he wanted to have sex and she didn’t. According to the Italian police report, Grant tried to force her into sex, grabbing her by the arms, pushing her on the bed with his knee on her back. She fled to the lobby, where she spent the night.
Supporting documents for Borg’s affidavit include the transcript of his interview with Bella. She describes how their relationship had become more serious, steady, following a troubling discovery she’d made last February.
(Mike Frisch)
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