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Notice of Suspension
January 2, 2020A Notice of Suspension and decision have been released in relation to the matter of Law Society of Saskatchewan v. Eric Tollefson. The following allegations against the Member were proven:
1. did act or continue to act for his family law client, J. R., in the presence of a conflict of interest arising out of his engagement in an intimate relationship with her.
The following penalty was imposed by the Hearing Committee:
- IT IS ORDERED THAT ERIC TOLLEFSON is suspended and is not entitled to practice law for a period of six weeks days effective Tuesday, December 3, 2019;
- IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT ERIC TOLLEFSON shall pay costs to the Law Society of Saskatchewan in the amount of $2,000.00 by June 30, 2020, or such other date as the Chair of Discipline may approve; and
- IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT ERIC TOLLEFSON shall subject to the following practice conditions for a period of twelve months immediately following the expiration of his six-week suspension:
- He will, as an employee or otherwise at his own expense, practice under the supervision of LAURIE B. BURROWS or such other Member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan, as approved by the Society (the “Supervising Member”), and under a plan of supervision as detailed herein.
- In the event that he wishes to change his approved practice arrangement or Supervising Member, he will obtain the prior approval of the Society for the change. All of the within terms and conditions continue to apply to such arrangement or Supervising Member.
- He will ensure that the Supervising Member is made fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the current Law Society complaint matter, any new complaint matters that may arise, and any changes in the status of complaint matters.
- He consents to the Society obtaining information and materials directly from the Supervising Member to enable evaluation of the supervision agreement and his practice, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, reports, file lists;
- He shall immediately report to the Society and/or SLIA (as appropriate) any potential claims, complaints or conduct issues including, but not limited to, instances where substance use may have affected his work and/or interactions with others, as well as those files where there are ethical concerns, conflicts of interest, delay, or concerns about dilatory practice;
- He shall not attend at his office or any court, or perform work on behalf of clients when there is any intoxicating substance in his system for which he does not possess a valid prescription, and is using as directed and under the supervision of a medical professional; and
- If he will be using an intoxicating substance as directed and under the supervision of a medical professional with a valid prescription, he shall notify the Supervising Member of this and potential effects on his work, and consent to such information being provided to the Society.
For more information on Law Society of Saskatchewan discipline proceedings, please visit the Discipline Section of the Law Society of Saskatchewan website.