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Gossip Draws Fine

By Michael Frisch

The British Columbia Law Society Tribunal Hearing Division  ordered a $7,500 fine and costs for an attorney’s sharing of “salacious gossip” with a family law client.

At a meeting with his client sometime in the summer of 2021, the Respondent told TK of an alleged rumour he had heard concerning the sexual activity of a member of the judiciary, which took place when that member of the judiciary was in university.

TK advised the Law Society that the Respondent used inappropriate and disrespectful language during this conversation and TK was uncomfortable with the conversation.  TK advised the Law Society the Respondent seemed full of delight when he relayed the story and it carried on for some length of time.  The Respondent said the conversation lasted a few minutes and the comment that he was “full of delight” was an exaggeration.
 
The Respondent admitted to the following:

(a)        the Respondent made the statements recounted by TK;

(b)        the conversation with TK was akin to “locker room talk”;

(c)        the Respondent’s comments were offensive and ill-advised; and

(d)        the Respondent takes full responsibility for his comments.

Concession

  The Respondent has admitted his conduct was inappropriate and amounted to professional misconduct.  It clearly was.  The comments were gratuitous and uncalled for.  There was no purpose to the comments.  They were nothing more than salacious gossip about a member of the judiciary.

(Mike Frisch)

Posted in:
Bar Discipline & Process