A Nanaimo lawyer was fined by his regulatory body for 鈥渓ocker-room鈥�-style gossiping that made a client uncomfortable.

According to a Law Society of British Columbia decision on Aug. 31, published Sept. 8, Nanaimo lawyer Brett Robert Vining was fined $7,500 to resolve misconduct relating to inappropriate comments he made to a client in 2021.

The decision found that the lawyer shared a 鈥渓ocker-room talk鈥� rumour about the sexual history of a member of the judiciary.

The law society was told that the lawyer 鈥渟eemed full of delight when he relayed the story and it carried on for some length of time,鈥� though the lawyer claimed those contentions were exaggerated.

He acknowledged that he made the comments, which the law society said were 鈥渄iscourteous, uncivil, offensive or otherwise inconsistent with a lawyer鈥檚 obligation to maintain a courteous and respectful attitude toward the court.鈥�

The hearing panel took into consideration the lawyer鈥檚 professional conduct record, which included mishandling of cash receipts in 2021.

He must pay a fine of $7,500 and costs of $1,000.

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