| RETAINING A LAWYER
 Check with CanLaw to see if we have any complaints on file. Read CanLaw's Advice on How to Hire a Lawyer
Here is our list of Lawyers in Manitoba Questions you should ask of both the Law Society and the lawyer before you retain any Manitoba lawyer.
- Check that s/he is in good standing with The Law Society of Manitoba.
Tel: 204-942-5571
Email: Check out lawyer
Fax: 204-956-0624.
- Ask when s/he was admitted to the Bar. (This will tell you how long they have been in practice.)
- Ask if s/he specializes in the area of law you in which you require assistance.
- What specialist training or certification does s/he have?
- Ask how many similar cases s/he has handled? How many were won.
- Ask if s/he has ever been disbarred, suspended, or disciplined by any Law Society anywhere.
- Ask if she has been the subject of fee reviews.
- Ask if any complaints have been made against her (regardless of the outcome) to the Law Society.
The Society's Discipline Reports are available online They can provide a great deal of useful information and leads to assist you.
Quoted from their web site:
" If you are concerned about your lawyer's conduct or the discharge of his/her
duties...
You may submit a complaint, in writing only, to the Law Society. All complaints are reviewed by a staff lawyer to determine whether the concerns expressed are within the Law Society's jurisdiction or merit investigation.
The majority of complaints received by the Law Society are forwarded to the lawyer named in the complaint, and he or she is required, under the Law Society's Rules, to provide a written response within 14 days. In the normal course, a copy of the response is sent to the complainant, who is given an opportunity to respond. Sometimes it is determined that a satisfactory explanation has been provided, or that the matter can be resolved through a reminder of professional obligations. More serious complaints are referred to the Complaints Investigation Committee which reviews the lawyer's conduct to determine if charges of incompetence, professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming a lawyer should be authorized. The Complaints Investigation Committee also considers matters which deal with a lawyer's competency and standards of practise, and may recommend that a lawyer complete a remedial program.
A number of less serious complaints may be dealt with through the Law Society's telephone mediation program."
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TO FILE COMPLAINTS:
Please go to to review the complaint procedures.
KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!
The Code of Professional Conduct for the Law Society of Manitoba can be obtained from the Society's web site. Use and read the Code to help organize your complaint. It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do. This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework. HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats. Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion. It isn't easy, but it is smart.
HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS IN ManitobaThere are about 1550 practicing full and part time lawyer/members of the Law Society of Manitoba. Complaints run about 165 a year. Most Law Societies will not tell you if they have complaints against a lawyer unless s/he has been "convicted" in an internal discipline hearing. However, of all the complaints received only about ten percent will ever get as far as a discipline hearing in Manitoba. The rest will be dismissed or closed at the preliminary stages
Most complaints to any Law Society are dismissed. Most complaints are simply frivolous and few have any real merit. Complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Statutes must be answered within 30 days. Although the law societies are not bound by these statutes, most will comply and fill your requests. |
