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A penalty decision has been released in relation to the matter of the Law Society of Saskatchewan v. Peter V. Abrametz, Sr. The following allegations against the Member were proven in an earlier phase of the Hearing Process:
1. did, in relation to the following clients, effect withdrawals of trust funds for the payment of fees, disbursements or other expenses in a manner contrary to Law Society of Saskatchewan Rule 942(3):
a. M.G.;
b. E.M.;
c. S.F.;
d. K.S.;
e. A.K.;
f. J.M.;
g. A.N.; and
h. E.H.
2. did knowingly cause trust cheques to be issued to a fictitious person for the purpose of effecting a transfer of trust funds for payment to himself;
4. did fail to maintain proper books and records in relation to his legal practice contrary to Part 13(H) of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Rules in relation to the following client matters:
a. M.G.;
b. E.M.;
c. S.F.;
d. K.S.;
e. A.K.;
f. J.M.;
g. A.N.; and
h. E.H.
5. did enter into or continue a debtor/creditor relationship with the following clients (loaning money) when his interests and the interests of those clients were in conflict and failed to ensure that:
a. the transaction was a fair and reasonable one;
b. that its terms were fully disclosed to the client in writing in a manner that is reasonably understood by the client;
c. the client was given a reasonable opportunity to seek independent legal advice about the transaction;
d. the client consented in writing to the conflict of interest; and
e. there was no appearance of undue influence;
in relation to the following client matters:
i. A.N.;
ii. Doris S.;
iii, Deanna S.;
iv. R.B.;
v. L.H.;
vi. C.J.;
vii. D.M.;
viii. D.J.;
ix. C.M.;
x. T.H.; and
xi. R.B.
The following penalty was imposed by the Hearing Committee:
(a) Pursuant to s. 53(3)(a)(i) of The Legal Professions Act, 1990 Peter Vincent Abrametz is disbarred and prohibited from applying for readmission as a lawyer in Saskatchewan prior to January 1, 2021;
(b) Pursuant to s. 53(3)(a)(v) of The Legal Professions Act, 1990 Peter Vincent Abrametz is ordered to pay $58,645.24 in costs to the Law Society of Saskatchewan on or before December 31, 2020; and
(c) Should Peter Vincent Abrametz fail to pay any of the ordered costs within the prescribed time he shall be prohibited from applying for readmission as a lawyer.
For more information on the Law Society of Saskatchewan discipline proceedings, please visit the Hearings, Decisions and Outcomes section of the Law Society of Saskatchewan website.