By Julius Melnitzer | June 25, 2024
JEREMY MAGENCE ACCUSED OF FAILING TO DISCLOSE MORE THAN $250K IN REFERRAL FEES TO PARALEGALS
The role of referral fees will again be front and centre on June 27, when the Law Society Tribunal Hearing Division hears the Law Society of Ontario’s allegations that Jeremy Magence of Toronto personal injury firm Bergel Magence LLP engaged in misleading advertising by allowing paralegals Joyann Oliver and Rathiga Velalagan of JNR Legal Services Professional Corporation to display his profile and biography while failing to disclose more than $250,000 in referral fees he paid them. The LSO also accuses Magence of failing to act with integrity by denying having paid any referral fees; failing to keep required records in relation to those fees; failing to prevent the unauthorized provision of legal services by JNR; and approaching 19 JNR clients represented by another lawyer. None of the allegations have been proven.
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REGULATOR HIT FOR $240,000 IN COSTS AFTER WRONGFULLY PROSECUTING DENTONS
The Law Society Gazette reports that, following a six-day hearing, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in the UK has dismissed allegations of breaching money laundering regulations against Dentons, the world’s largest firm by headcount. While the Tribunal concluded that breaches did occur, they were inadvertent as the firm had responsible AML policies in place and enforced them. The Tribunal also ruled that the Solicitors Regulation Authority had to bear its own costs of approximately US$240,000 because it failed to follow its internal guidance in prosecuting Dentons.
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JAIL FOR LAWYERS WHO STEAL CLIENTS?
Patrick Maginn, a UK housing disrepair lawyer, sent 28 emails to his personal address days before leaving his firm, Bond Turner, for a competitor, McDermott Smith Law Limited. According to The Law Society Gazette, a court ordered him to delete the material and gave him 28 days to explain what he did with it and demonstrate that he didn’t forward anything to his new firm. Failing compliance, Judge Stephen Davies said he would allow Bond turn to apply for a commital order.
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Julius Melnitzer is a Toronto-based legal affairs writer, ghostwriter, writing coach and media trainer. Readers can reach him at [email protected] or https://legalwriter.net/contact.