In the public interest?

Law Society of Manitoba - Mandate

"The Aim of the Law Society of Manitoba is a public (emphasis ours) well served by a competent, honourable and independent legal profesion. The Law Society acts in the public interest (emphasis ours) to make sure that Manitoba lawyers practice ethically and competently. It sets standards of conduct for lawyers and disciplines those who do not meet these standards."

Good Day Readers:

Yesterday we had occasion to attend a pre-disciplinary motion hearing for "Blackie" at The Law Society of Manitoba. We've had to use a pseudonym for the accused because unlike a court of law where in the vast preponderance of cases the names of the accused and accusers are publicly known long before a trial, not so with the LSM. Under threat of penalty, this information can only be divulged after a finding of professional misconduct. In the public interest? We don't think so!

Not being a lawyer, to prepare in advance for the hearing we e-mailed officials from The Society a couple basic questions. Normally, as a common courtesy we would not disclose the identities of those contacted other than as "senior staff," however, since no reply was received they are not entitled to that consideration. We owe The Society no duty of loyalty. Here's what was sent:

From: Clare Pieuk [pieuk@shaw.ca]
To: 'Kris DANGERFIELD'
Cc: 'afineblit@lawsociety.mb.ca'; lharrison@lawsociety.mb.ca'
Subject: File No. 10-049-CPL-LK
Sent: Mon 4/18/2011 6:43 AM

Ms Kristin C. Dangerfield
Senior General Counsel
Law Society of Manitoba
219 Kennedy Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 1S8

Dear Ms Dangerfield:

I trust you are keeping well.

In preparation for ....... ............'s appearance tomorrow before a Law Society of Manitoba panel I hereby request the following:

(1) the names and backgrounds of panel members

(2) any restriction(s) that may exist regarding publication of what transpires at the hearing

Yours truly,
Clare L. Pieuk

Note: the original copy contained Blackie's real name. Alan Fineblit is Chief Executive Officer and Lee-Ann Harrison Discipline Department Secretary.

Was ignoring our request for such basic information in the public interest? We don't think so!

The panel members self-identified at the start of the hearing. Shortly we'll provide you with their names and backgrounds based on our internet research.

At yesterday's meeting a court reporter was present. At the conclusion we asked the panel if a transcript of the proceedings would be publicly available. After being asked by the chair to self-identify which we did but only as a citizen journalist, we were advised the meeting was open to the public but no transcript would be available. Is this in the public interest? We don't think so!

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk