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THUNDER BAY — A once prominent lawyer has been to have engaged in professional misconduct and will have his license suspended for at least one more year, but his counsel admitted he is unlikely to practice law again.
Law Society of Ontario counsel Joshua Elcombe outlined that Watkins failed to abide by Legal Aid Ontario’s requirements and there was found to be instances of double billing, more than 10 hours of work recorded in a day, inadequate details provided, and billing for proceedings that did not take place.
The remaining allegations taking place between 2012 and 2018 involve Watkins’ handling of clients, miscommunication with clients, failing to attend court proceedings, being in conflict of interest, and failing to maintain financial records. The most consistent allegations against Watkins, particularly in 2017 and 2018, were numerous failures to attend court and failing to protect his client’s interests.
Watkins’ license to practice law was suspended in October 2018 on an interlocutory basis as the Law Society proceedings were ongoing. However, Elcombe also outlined significant aggravating factors, including Watkins’ past discipline history and criticism from judges. When given the opportunity to speak, Watkins thanked the panel for all their hard work and apologized for his actions.
The joint submission recommended a retroactive suspension of three years, which Elcombe admitted was more symbolic in nature, as Watkins has already been suspended for more than four years on an interloculary basis.
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