B.C. lawyer suspended for 6 months for sexually harassing client at Victoria courthouse
A former British Columbia lawyer has been suspended for six months and ordered to pay more than $4,000 in legal costs after he sexually harassed a client at the Victoria courthouse.
According to a Law Society of B.C. tribunal decision issued Tuesday, lawyer William James Heflin committed professional misconduct by sexually harassing his client while representing her in a family law matter.
The tribunal found Heflin made "unwelcome comments, advances and physical contact" with his unnamed client during a meeting on Oct. 1, 2020, behaviours which amounted to professional misconduct.
The Law Society of B.C. says Heflin met with his client to direct her to sign a form saying he was no longer her lawyer "with the intent to start a sexual relationship with her."
He went on to inappropriately touch and kiss her without her consent, according to the regulatory body.
Heflin was hired by the woman in 2017 for a family law matter in which she was seeking child and spousal support.
During the Oct. 1 meeting at the Victoria courthouse, Heflin told his client he would no longer represent her in the matter "based on his thoughts of retirement, his intent to run for city council, and his interest in having a sexual relationship with her," according to a November 2022 decision by the tribunal.
CELLPHONE RECORDING
Heflin instructed his client to sign the form saying he was no longer her lawyer, but he did not fully explain the implications to her and he continued to leave open the possibility that he could still act on her behalf, the tribunal found.
When Heflin left the room to file the form with the court registry, his client began recording audio with her cellphone.
When Heflin returned to the room, he said, "OK, well I'm not your lawyer anymore," to which the woman replied, "You're not?" and he responded, "Now I can do what I want," according to the tribunal's decision.
Heflin then kissed her several times, hugged her and touched her breast. The lawyer argued the contact was consensual.
Prior to the meeting, the woman had not given any indication she was interested in a romantic relationship with Heflin, according to the tribunal. One week later, the woman made a complaint about the incident to the Law Society of B.C.
CLIENT WAS IN 'VULNERABLE STATE'
After the meeting, Heflin continued to try contacting the woman, leaving voicemails on her phone and once visiting her home.
Heflin's actions had a detrimental effect on his client, who experienced a "nervous breakdown" earlier that year and experienced mental health issues following the harassment, the society found.
Heflin "deserted his client at a time when she needed him most," the tribunal found in its November 2022 decision that found the lawyer guilty of sexual harassment.
"He put his own interests ahead of hers by leaving her without legal representation in order to pursue his own sexual interests," the tribunal said.
"He harassed and assaulted a client who was in a vulnerable state, in circumstances where the power dynamic was highly imbalanced. Although he has admitted his actions, he refuses to acknowledge the impropriety of them."
Heflin is no longer a member of the society and is not currently seeking reinstatement.
If he does successfully apply for reinstatement, his six-month suspension should begin on the first business day after he is reinstated, the tribunal found.
Heflin was ordered to pay $4,348.57 for costs and disbursements within one year of the decision.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Potential tornado 'surreal' for residents who witnessed damaging storm in southern Ontario
Witnessing a potential tornado was 'surreal' for residents who caught a glimpse of the damaging storm in southern Ontario on Wednesday night.
Was this the bug that stung you? Wasp sightings revive murder-hornet concerns; no detections confirmed
As temperatures rise out of a mild El Nino winter, Canada's buggy season is already upon us again, and this year, the bugs are looking especially big.
Minister tables bill to extend citizenship rights to children born abroad
Immigration Minister Marc Miller tabled legislation today that is intended to extend citizenship to some children born outside of the country.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
Hundreds have applied for this 'adventurer' job in Banff National Park
Coined as Banff's 'ultimate summer job,' the Moraine Lake Bus Company says hundreds of people from across the world have applied for its adventurer position.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Jennifer Lopez's response to question about Ben Affleck is a reminder of their decades of love in the spotlight
Plenty of people are wondering if Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are having problems in their marriage, but one person had the nerve to ask in a public forum.
U.S. Justice Department says illegal monopoly by Ticketmaster and Live Nation drives up prices for fans
The U.S. Justice Department filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment on Thursday, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America -- squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.
Adding just 10% ultraprocessed foods to healthy diets may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.