THUNDER BAY — The Law Society of Ontario Tribunal has revoked a city lawyer's licence to practice.
Thomas Michael Harris, who was called to the bar in 1999, must also pay $50,000 in costs to the LSO between now and 2027.
Harris had already changed his lawyer status to retired/not working in 2017, and was administratively suspended by the law society in 2018.
A three-member panel subsequently found that he had committed professional misconduct in his dealings with 15 clients between 2007 and 2017.
"This included not commencing actions when retained to do so and lying to his clients about the status of the files, failing to return phone calls or meet with clients, and failing to take necessary steps in proceedings that were started," the tribunal stated in a summary of its findings.
Harris gave evidence that his behaviour resulted from personal issues he had experienced that affected his health.
But the panel concluded that he had failed to establish a connection between his disability and the adverse treatment of his clients.
