The Law Society Tribunal has punished a lawyer in one of Newmarket’s oldest firms with a two-month suspension for professional misconduct.
Robert Andrew Leck has been suspended since Jan. 24 for the alleged misconduct after a panel decision from the adjudicative tribunal for Ontario lawyers. The suspension comes over a case in which Leck allegedly failed to “discharge his responsibilities” honourably with the transfer of a property from a client to himself.
Asked to respond to the suspension, Leck said he will continue to serve the community.
“Both the law firm and I are looking forward to continuing to serve our clients well, as I have for more than two-and-one-half decades and the law firm has for almost a century,” Leck said in a written statement.
The panel determined that Leck acted where there were conflicting interests with the property transfer but did not detail where the property itself was.
The ruling states Leck failed to inform the respondent to obtain “independent advice” in connection with the transfer, acted as both transferer and transferee in the transfer of the property from his client to himself, loaned money to two clients without requiring they obtain independent legal representation, and prepared an instrument giving himself a gift from his client, all contrary to law society rules.
In all, the society alleged he “engaged in professional misconduct and/or conduct unbecoming a licensee.”
As a result, Leck’s licence was suspended for two months, and he is required to comply fully with guidelines for lawyers who are suspended. Leck was also required to pay the society $12,500 within 30 days.
The suspension comes as the preeminent Stiver Vale law firm prepares to shift locations. With its previous Main Street location sold, the firm is moving to 260 Kathryn Cres. in Newmarket.
The law firm is closed until March 25, which is also when Leck’s suspension will end.