TORONTO, April 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Law Society of Upper Canada regulates the lawyers and paralegals of Ontario in the public interest. The Law Society ensures that all lawyers and licensed paralegals in Ontario meet standards of learning, professional competence and professional conduct that are appropriate for the legal services provided.
The Law Society Tribunal recently heard the following matters. The Tribunal, which is an independent administrative tribunal within the Law Society, is responsible for processing, hearing and deciding these cases.
Ann Bruce (2008) of the City of Hamilton
Decision: The Lawyer was suspended for 12 months.
Roberto Cucci (1990) of the City of Toronto
Further to the order of January 9, 2014, no costs are payable by either party in relation to the hearing or the appeal.
Roy Francis DMello (1998) of the Town of Oakville. The Law Society was awarded costs of the appeal of $10,000.
Cherif Rafik Ghobrial (2012) of the City of Toronto
Decision: The Lawyer's licence was suspended for 31 days commencing on March 17, 2014.
Joseph Peter Paul Groia (1981) of the City of Toronto
Further to the order of November 28, 2013, no costs of the appeal are ordered but the Lawyer shall pay $200,000 to the Society with respect to costs before the hearing panel.
Leah Michelle Henderson (2009), of the City of Toronto
Decision: The Paralegal was suspended for a period of eight months consecutive to her administrative suspensions.
Kenneth Wayne Johnson (1984) of the City of Ottawa
Decision: The Lawyer's licence to practise law was revoked effective March 19, 2014.
Jehuda Julius Kaminer (1978) of the City of Kingston
Decision: The Lawyer shall surrender his licence within ten days of February 25, 2014, after which if his licence is not surrendered it will be revoked.
Kym Lee McGahey (2000) of the Municipality of North Grenville
Decision: The Lawyer's licence was revoked.
Francesca Pagotto (2008) of the City of Vaughan
Decision: The Paralegal was suspended for one month, commencing after her return to practice and continuing indefinitely until specified conditions are met.
David John Albert Peirce (1991) of the Town of Aurora
Decision: The Lawyer was suspended for two months commencing March 13, 2014, or such other date as counsel may agree and must comply with specified conditions.
Michael Stephen Puskas (1996) of the City of Hamilton
Decision: The Lawyer's appeal from a 20-month suspension was dismissed. His suspension shall commence on June 20, 2014, or such later date as the parties may agree upon. The Lawyer's appeal from the costs order was allowed and the costs order was set aside.
James William Scott (1983) of the City of Hamilton
Decision: The Lawyer was suspended for four months commencing February 28, 2014 and continuing indefinitely until specified conditions are met.
Norma Jean Walton (1995) of the City of Toronto
Decision: On March 19, 2014, the Lawyer's licence was suspended on an interlocutory basis.
Nicolas Xynnis (1989) of the City of Toronto
Decision: The Lawyer was ordered to work as an employed lawyer, with no responsibility over the law firm's trust account or general account, including no signing authority, for a period of three years from July 22, 2013. The Lawyer was reprimanded, fined $3,000 and shall abide by specified terms.
Nicolas Xynnis (1989) of the City of Toronto
Decision: The Law Society's appeal from publication bans issued by the hearing panel and appeal panel was allowed and the publication bans were lifted effective March 7, 2014.
More information about the Tribunal process can be found on the new Law Society Tribunal website.
Reasons for decisions when provided by the panel are available on the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) website.
Information about upcoming hearings is available here.
Notices of Application and Referral for Hearing are available here.
Jasvir Kaur Billing [Paralegal]
City of Brampton, Notice of Application, Conduct, Filed on February 26, 2014
Gregory Edward Brant Castellano [Lawyer]
City of Kingston, Notice of Application, Reinstatement, Filed on March 4, 2014
William Romely Johnston [Paralegal]
City of Toronto, Notice of Application, Conduct, Filed on March 3, 2014
Demetrius Kotsakis [Lawyer]
City of Hamilton, Notice of Application, Conduct, Filed on March 3, 2014
Severin Nkolla Ndema-Moussa [Avocat]
À Ottawa, avis de requête, conduite, déposé le 18 mars 2014
Robert George Vanderploeg [Paralegal]
City of Hamilton, Notice of Application, Conduct, Filed on March 3, 2014
Benito Antonio Zappia [Paralegal]
City of Toronto, Notice of Application, Conduct, Filed on March 10, 2014
SOURCE: The Law Society of Upper Canada
If you require a copy of any specific decision, please contact Susan Tonkin, Communications Advisor, at 416-947-7605 or [email protected].
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