Calgary lawyer resigns from firm after sending 'disturbing' and 'misogynistic' email

WARNING: This article contains graphic content, including sexualized and vulgar language.

A Calgary lawyer has resigned after sending an email described by his firm as "deeply disturbing" in which he twice refers to women as "a person with a vagina" and repeatedly mocks transgender people.

Rob Rakochey, who was awarded a King's counsel (KC) title in March in recognition of his contributions to the legal community, resigned this week from his partnership at Field Law, the firm confirmed Thursday.

A King's counsel designation is an honour for lawyers who exhibit the highest level of integrity in the profession.

Rakochey, who has been practising law in Alberta for the past 34 years, sent a 2,000-word email on May 7 to dozens of colleagues and lawyers in Calgary, inviting them to his annual Rob Rakochey Invitational golf tournament in Kimberley, B.C. 

"Probably leave the Ho's behind this trip — there is enough talent in town," he wrote in the email.

Perhaps, says Rakochey's invite, this will be the year a woman wins his golf tournament. 

"I long for the day that we can award the trophy to a person with a vagina," wrote the senior lawyer.

With his new King's counsel designation, Rakochey joked that his friends could genuflect as they walked by. 

"If you do plan on nodding repeatedly, as some do, please close your mouth lest people get the wrong impression," wrote Rakochey. 

"Unless you are a person with a vagina, in which case I am in Room 408."

Rakochey did not respond to numerous requests for comment on this story. 

In his email, Rakochey also referenced golf tournament attendees taking a woman's camera while on a past trip that was "filled … with dick picks/balloon knot shots late Saturday night after the last drop of tequila was consumed."

The message details what to expect at the tournament, including the resort and golf packages available.