Ontario Lawyer Faces More Misconduct Allegations from Residential School Survivors

By Jody Porter
CBC News
November 26, 2015

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ontario-lawyer-faces-more-misconduct-allegations-from-residential-school-survivors-1.3336424

Twenty-one residential school survivors have come forward with new allegations of professional misconduct against lawyer Doug Keshen, from Kenora, Ont., according to the Law Society of Upper Canada.

The Law Society Tribunal is already looking into several previous allegations against Keshen, including a claim that he transferred settlement funds of residential school clients to himself.

Keshen denied the previous allegations, telling CBC News earlier this year that all of his clients "received their full entitlement."

Four of the 21 new complainants allege Keshen arranged for high interest loans, secured against anticipated settlement funds, which is prohibited by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

There are also claims that Keshen withdrew legal fees and disbursements from survivors' settlement funds without sending them a bill or setting out what the fees would be.

All 21 of the new complainants allege Keshen failed to interview them about their claims and failed to communicate with them throughout the process.

The Law Society Tribunal will set the next steps in the hearing process on Dec. 7.