Discrimination and Harassment Concerns

If you have a complaint against a lawyer that involves discrimination or harassment, you have the option of contacting the Law Society’s Equity Officer. The Equity Officer can provide you with information and advice on various options for addressing your concern and may be able to attempt to informally resolve or mediate the dispute. The Equity Officer is available to speak with you on a confidential basis at no charge.

Contacting the Equity Officer does not prevent you from filing a formal complaint against a lawyer.

The Equity Officer cannot provide legal advice.

Discrimination involves treating someone differently, to their disadvantage and without reasonable cause, on the basis of a characteristic such as their race, colour, ancestry, nationality or ethnic background or origin, political belief, religion, marital or family status, source of income, physical or mental disability, physical characteristics, age, sex including pregnancy, marital or family status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

It is an act or omission which effectively denies an individual or group opportunities or benefits available to others because of a distinction relating to their personal attributes. Discrimination is against the law and is prohibited by the Code of Professional Conduct for lawyers.

Harassment is abusive and unwelcome behaviour or comments that demean, humiliate or embarrass a person. It is a form of discrimination if it is based on a person’s race, colour, ancestry, nationality or ethnic background or origin, political belief, religion, marital or family status, source of income, physical or mental disability, physical characteristics, age, sex including pregnancy, marital or family status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and includes objectionable and unwelcome sexual advances, a sexual advance made by a person in a position of authority or a reprisal or threat of reprisal for rejecting a sexual advance.

Harassment is against the law and is prohibited by the Code of Professional Conduct for lawyers.

Contact the Equity Officer:

Alissa Schacter | Equity Officer and Policy Counsel