A Nova Scotia lawyer has been discovered responsible {of professional} misconduct for occasions that led to the collapse of his regulation agency.
Nevertheless, a disciplinary panel of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society discovered that essentially the most critical costs in opposition to Adam Rodgers weren’t supported.
Rodgers and Jason Boudrot have been companions within the regulation agency Boudrot Rodgers till October 2018. That is when Rodgers alleged he found his companion was stealing from purchasers’ belief accounts.
The society reached a settlement settlement with Boudrot in September 2019. Whereas he didn’t admit guilt, he agreed to be disbarred. The RCMP has launched a prison investigation into Boudrot’s actions, however no costs have been laid.
Panel releases choice
The society accused Rodgers {of professional} incompetence {and professional} misconduct, saying he ought to have noticed what his companion was doing sooner and stopped it. The 2 sides argued earlier than a three-member panel in October of final yr. The panel launched its choice on Tuesday.
“The panel is happy that Mr. Rodgers didn’t intentionally nor actively misappropriate funds nor help Mr. Boudrot in doing so,” the choice reads partly.
“The panel is happy the society has demonstrated that it’s extra possible than not that Adam Rodgers aided Jason Boudrot by his willful blindness and recklessness and thereby did not protect and shield purchasers’ property.”
‘My conscience was all the time clear’
Rodgers beforehand stated he anticipated to be exonerated by the panel, saying he was a sufferer of his former companion’s “egocentric, inconsiderate ambition.”
On Tuesday, the Port Hawkesbury lawyer stated he was happy to be absolved of misappropriating funds.
“My conscience was all the time clear, nevertheless it was nonetheless satisfying to see it confirmed by the panel,” he stated. “That I did not take something from anyone and that I did good work as a lawyer for my purchasers, and dealt with the disaster introduced on by my former companion in an applicable method.”
Rodgers stated he has had no contact together with his former companion.
The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society reached a settlement settlement with Jason Boudrot in September 2019. He didn’t admit guilt, however agreed to be disbarred. (Boudrot Rodgers Regulation Workplaces/YouTube)
A forensic audit ordered by the society discovered Boudrot was taking cash out of belief accounts with out authorization.
“Some might say that Adam Rodgers was naive and a dupe or unknowing confederate for Jason Boudrot; conversely, some might say Adam Rodgers was a sufferer of Jason Boudrot,” the panel wrote.
The panel should meet inside 60 days to find out what penalty Rodgers ought to face. He stated he doesn’t count on something as extreme as disbarment.
Rodgers is now practising on his personal. The lack of funds and ensuing controversy pressured his former agency out of business. He’s representing family members of Lionel Desmond within the inquiry trying into why the previous soldier killed his household and himself.
That inquiry resumes public hearings subsequent month and Rodgers stated that’s taking on most of his time proper now.
