A Nanaimo Lawyer was disbarred after being convicted for the sexual assault of a prospective client.

On Dec. 6, the Law Society of B.C. sanctioned Marc Andre Scheirer for misconduct after he was convicted for sexually assaulting a potential client five years ago.

According to society鈥檚 tribunal hearing decision, Scheirer was visited by the client in February 2018 when she wanted to get the terms of bail varied for her husband, who had been charged with domestic assault, to allow him to resume cohabitation with her.

During the interview with the prospective client, the lawyer 鈥渕oved closer to her, putting his head on her chest, rubbing her leg and moving his hand towards her crotch. She tried to stand up; he pushed her down and said, 鈥榥icer you are to me now, the sooner we get your husband home.鈥欌��

He was convicted for the crime in November 2020, and was sentenced to a suspended sentence and two years鈥� probation in March 2021.

鈥淭hese events have had a devastating impact on [the victim], requiring medication, and has made her fearful of not just lawyers, but other professionals where there is a power imbalance,鈥� noted the decision. 鈥淸Scheirer鈥檚] conduct was predatory, reprehensible and should be given the highest possible sanction. Anything less would impact the confidence of the public in the legal profession and cast doubt on the ability of the law society to govern itself.鈥�

Scheirer also had on his file a citation for 鈥渁larmingly similar circumstances鈥� of 鈥渋nappropriate and offensive behavior towards a female client,鈥� in which he had to enter into undertakings to not practise criminal law, not to practise family law and not to meet with any person under the age of 19 unless there is another person over 19 in the room.

The society will order no costs from the lawyer due to his 鈥渄ire financial circumstances鈥� and ongoing medical issues, the decision noted.

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bailey.seymour@nanaimobulletin.com
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