Middle Finger, Russian Vodka And Fish Food
An attorney’s behavior in a court proceeding in a family law matter and in the bar investigation led to findings of misconduct from the Alberta Law Society
The witnesses to the December 3, 2019, events indicated they were quite distressed and disturbed by Mr. LeDrew’s apparent intoxicated behaviour, his stumbling and slurring his words. The witnesses described Mr. LeDrew as antagonistic and acknowledged the Court’s intervention, trying to get Mr. LeDrew to stop his behaviour and to get him to sit down. His own client KC was distressed by his behaviour. Counsel who testified, all expressed alarm at Mr. LeDrew’s conduct. They recall the Court cautioning Mr. LeDrew about his unprofessional behaviour and at least of one of them recalls the presiding Judge stating the behaviour was bordering on contempt. The lawyers also confirmed that they discussed and then nominated DC to speak to the presiding Judge to make sure a report was made to the LSA. In fact, it was RW who made a complaint to the LSA on December 4, 2019.
As LSA counsel summed up, Mr. LeDrew was aggressive, interruptive in Court, volatile, making personal attacks against a self-represented person, using the middle finger and using profanities in Court.
Interactions with the parties
Mr. LeDrew did not uphold these values as evidenced by his comments in Court, the inappropriate middle finger gesture, the profanities, and the disparaging remarks to RW regarding his parenting abilities. This conduct clearly makes out a finding of guilt of conduct deserving of sanction on Citation 3.
In addition to the December 3, 2019, conduct, there was also KC’s evidence about Mr. LeDrew’s comments to her about her appearance and that she should be dating. These remarks are totally inappropriate and might well border on This is particularly alarming in conjunction with Mr. LeDrew’s comments to KC that Mr. LeDrew wished to drown [self-represented opposing party] RW in Russian Vodka and turn him into fish food.
Failure to cooperate in bar hearing process
The Committee wishes to note that it is also unclear, because of his evasiveness and varying versions of explanations, whether Mr. LeDrew is in excellent health or has a medical condition. He cites his health as the reason for not participating in the LSA hearing process but appears to be an active, practicing lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
(Mike Frisch)