Richmond lawyer Spencer Owen May suspended for two months

Richmond lawyer Spencer Owen May has been suspended for two months for committing professional misconduct. The suspension will commence on June 1, 2024.

The hearing panel found that May committed three types of professional misconduct when he failed to make reasonable inquiries about his clients’ retainer, breached his duty of candour and presented a misleading affidavit to the court in two ex parte applications, and failed to comply with a direction from the court. The hearing panel also found that May breached the Law Society Rules with respect to client identification requirements. The misconduct relates to services provided to clients who were accused of money laundering in the media, which prompted a Law Society investigation.

The hearing panel acknowledged that May does not have a professional conduct record; however, his professional misconduct was found to be serious and multifaceted, requiring a suspension from practice.

May is also ordered to pay $20,767 in costs and disbursements.

For the panel’s detailed reasons, see the decision of the hearing panel.