THUNDER BAY — A Thunder Bay lawyer whose licence to practice is suspended on a provisional basis says he was caught up in a series of unpredictable circumstances and events.
Christopher Watkins says he apologizes to those clients affected by his recent challenges.
"There certainly were some missed court dates. I acknowledge that...I'm dealing with a very serious disability...I ended up in a very unfortunate situation that I'm very upset about for the clients' sake and the courts' sake," Watkins said in a statement issued Tuesday.
The Law Society of Ontario Tribunal last week imposed an interim suspension pending the outcome of a hearing into allegations that Watkins has repeatedly failed to attend court for clients, has failed to adequately communicate with clients, and has failed to provide the Law Society with documents requested for its investigation.
Watkins blames his difficulties largely on medical issues and other personal challenges affecting him and his family.
He said that, on the heels of his family struggling through an emotional and difficult period, he first developed life-threatening pneumonia that left him with possible ongoing organ damage.
Then, in March of this year, he had "a significant slip and fall," leaving him with serious back, leg and hip injuries, pain, and paralysis in his right leg below the knee.
The outcome, Watkins said, was that he was left trying to work through "pain and agony."
"I would find myself often dragging one leg, trying to get into court to represent my client...I wanted to do the best for my clients. In retrospect, perhaps, moving them [to other lawyers] quicker would have been a smarter thing, but I really wanted to do my job."
Watkins said the downsizing of his office and switching to a cell phone system to cut costs, also inadvertently resulted in communications difficulties for clients.
"It was not intentional. I like to have contact with my clients. The injuries, illness, and dealing with the Law Society and trying to methodically work through transitioning matters, it wasn't perfect."
More recently, Watkins said, he has had to cope with another serious health issue within his family.
He said he's been "trying to take care of everybody first"—whether family or clients—but knows he requires hospitalization for treatment of his injuries.
"I look forward to getting well, and hopefully move forward in a great career based on human rights pursuits."
Watkins said he remains unsure how long the suspension will be in place, but he believes he is owed some consideration for his current disability.
"There's a duty to accommodate people with disabilities such as myself...If I had a personal support worker, which I believe I'm entitled to, that person could have assisted with diarization and all sorts of other issues."
He said a PSW could also have helped with transportation, and circumvented issues dealing with clients' appointments and court scheduling.
"Presently, going from courtroom 102 to 105, using two canes and not being able to walk on one leg, it takes probably five times as long as it used to take me to walk. So to answer a court call is very difficult."
Watkins said he knows "people are compassionate and understanding if they truly have the knowledge of what's going on."
The Law Society Tribunal has scheduled a conference for Nov. 5 in preparation for the next date for a hearing to consider a suspension or restrictions on his practice.
