The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Many years ago, I was disbarred for a gross act of malfeasance – commingling a client’s funds with my own. This is what lawyers call it but it is pure and simple the unauthorised use of a client’s money. In the real world it is called stealing, but not with the intent to deprive the client permanently of his/her funds. Lawyers do this as a matter of routine, especially when there is a slow down in the economy. I am talking about lawyers across the board, regardless of race; colour or creed.

Since the arrival of the pandemic and the off/on shuttering of the economy I have received complaints from numerous members of the public about the possibility of their lawyers actually receiving insurance settlements and the proceeds from assorted real estate transactions but refusing/failing to turn the same over to clients. The usual excuses are that the cheque is in the mail’ or that a timely court/trial date is unobtainable due to the virus. All plausible, but outright lies and fraudulent attempts to deprive clients’ of what is due to them.

One such person who would have consulted with me recently informed me that almost five years ago she consulted with and retained a lawyer for several thousands of dollars to follow up on an industrial accident situation that was as clear cut as day. The ceiling titles at a local well known service station broke loose and fell on to her head and upper body causing serious and lingering injuries.

Five years later, the client is having difficulties in hearing from her lawyer and she still has yet to see any sort of correspondence on pleadings to verify the status, if any, of her matter. Allegedly when she approaches the lawyer she is told that the lawyer is out of office; in court or at home recuperating from assorted personal injuries.

The Bahamas Bar Association is tasked with policing and discipling recalcitrant lawyers. Does it, however, take its legislative mandate seriously, across the board or is it a regime where “kisses go by favour“ or it depends on who you know? I was a show boat as a lawyer and the powers that be at that time were determined to engineer my eventual disbarment.

If you or someone whom you know may have been shafted by a licensed attorney they can contact me.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

February 24, 2021.