Brandon lawyer who harassed women in legal field suspended indefinitely due to breach of conditions
CBC
WARNING: this story contains details of assault:
A Brandon lawyer can't practice law until he overcomes his addictions because he breached conditions stemming from unwanted sexual overtures he made with women in the legal profession over several years.
A law society disciplinary panel suspended Ryan William Fawcett from practising law indefinitely after he was found guilty of professional misconduct and conduct unbecoming a lawyer, according to a notice issued on Dec. 20. He pleaded guilty.
Fawcett breached conditions set by the law society that he abstain from alcohol and report relapses, and that he not contact any women in the legal profession outside of work.
He isn't allowed to reapply to practise again until he proves his "addictions are under control with a reasonable demonstration of stability such that he can be trusted to practise under such conditions."
Fawcett must also reimburse the law society $5,000 for hearing costs.
The sanctions were jointly agreed to by the law society and Fawcett's lawyer, Greg Bartel.
According to details from a disciplinary panel written decision dated Dec. 11, Fawcett offered a "sincere apology to those individuals who were harmed by his misconduct."
Bartel said his client accepts responsibility and "has paid (and continues to pay) a heavy price as a consequence of his illness."
Fawcett was called to the bar in June 2001 and based in Brandon, where he worked for Legal Aid Manitoba and practised criminal defence and public interest law.
The latest development stems from unwanted "sexual and harassing" communications with five women over several years beginning in August 2016, the law society states.
The law society, which regulates the legal profession in Manitoba, banned Fawcett in 2020 from communicating with women coworkers for non-work matters. That ban was then expanded to all women in the legal profession.
The law society charged Fawcett with one count of harassment or sexual harassment, and one count of conduct unbecoming a lawyer. He was also charged with a breach of integrity. He pleaded guilty.
Fawcett was required to undergo treatment and abstain from drinking, and report to the law society within two days if he ever relapsed.
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