Saskatoon lawyer volunteers to close practice before suspension issued
Law society doesn't detail the complaints, but Lavier doesn't have disciplinary record
A longtime Saskatoon lawyer is on a legal hiatus after entering into a voluntary agreement with the Law Society of Saskatchewan (LSS).
In November, Chris Lavier of Lavier Law Office agreed to “wind down his legal practice and entirely cease the practice of law on or before Dec. 31,” according to a practice conditions summary published by the LSS.
The move was in response to the association issuing a “Notice of Intention to Interim Suspend” in September after receiving “a variety of issues of concern” starting in February 2020.
Lavier initially agreed to practise under the supervision of Saskatoon lawyer Nicholas Stooshinoff, but the issues persisted, the notice states.
When contacted, Stooshinoff said Lavier “has nothing further to add at this time.”
The LSS did not specify the nature of the complaints. Tim Huber, LSS deputy executive director, said this is not a disciplinary matter because Lavier volunteered to withdraw from practice in lieu of a possible interim suspension.
Huber said the LSS would typically remove a lawyer from practice — without advance notice if necessary — if the concerns were criminal or posed a serious or immediate risk to a client or the public.
“In the case of Mr. Lavier, we did not pursue an immediate, without notice, suspension from practice. The ongoing risk to the public was low enough in this case to allow for the negotiation of a voluntary
wind-down of Mr. Lavier's practice over approximately 3 months between September and December 2020,” Huber said in an emailed statement.
“This controlled wind-down ensured that no clients were left without counsel at the last minute.”
As part of his undertaking — or formal promise — Lavier also agreed not to take on any new clients or any new matters with existing clients prior to Dec. 31.
However, he can reapply to return to practice by withdrawing his undertakings, Huber said. This would require giving 21 days advanced notice to the conduct investigation committee. The committee would then analyze his situation and determine if he can safely practise, or if an interim suspension is warranted.
If Lavier were to breach any of his undertakings, he may be subject to formal disciplinary measures and could be suspended without notice, the summary states.
Huber said Lavier does not have a disciplinary record.