Laura Arndt

The Law Society Tribunal previously found that the respondent lawyer engaged in professional misconduct by practising law while suspended and failing to treat the court with courtesy and civility.

The respondent maintained that he was an "unconquered Métis man" and not subject to the authority of the Law Society Act.

Despite being invited to make submissions on penalty, the respondent did not participate.

The Tribunal concluded that the respondent was ungovernable due to mental illness and that a further suspension would not protect the public interest or maintain public confidence.

The respondent's licence to practise law was revoked.

The Law Society brought a conduct application against a lawyer whose licence was previously suspended due to incapacity arising from mental illness.

The lawyer continued to make numerous court appearances while suspended, acting uncivilly and advancing pseudolegal arguments based on his claim to be an unconquered Métis individual not subject to the Law Society Act.

The Tribunal dismissed the lawyer's recusal motions and found that he engaged in professional misconduct.

The Tribunal established a unified framework for addressing mental illness in conduct applications and concluded that diversion to a capacity proceeding was inappropriate because the lawyer lacked insight into his illness, refused to cooperate, and posed a significant risk to the public.

The Law Society brought a discipline application against the respondent lawyer after he pled guilty to criminal charges of assault, mischief, and forcible confinement against his former intimate partner.

The lawyer admitted the underlying conduct and that it constituted conduct unbecoming a licensee.

The Tribunal considered the serious nature of intimate partner violence, the lawyer's lack of prior discipline, and his participation in a Partner Assault Response program.

Emphasizing the need for general deterrence and maintaining public confidence in the legal profession, the Tribunal ordered a three-month suspension and $4,000 in costs.