The Law Society of British Columbia has alerted its members to a concerning trend involving lawyers receiving extortion threats demanding large sums of money. The legal profession regulator issued a notice emphasizing the threats to the physical safety of lawyers, urging those who have been targeted to report such incidents to the police.
Vinnie Yuen, a spokeswoman for the Law Society, stated that the organization has received confidential reports regarding these threats, but cannot disclose specific details or the total number of incidents. However, she did indicate that the current situation is not widespread. The advisory was also communicated to Conservative Member of the Legislature, Steve Kooner, who serves as the Opposition attorney general critic and is a member of the Law Society.
In response to these alarming developments, Kooner issued a statement calling for extortion to be classified as a terrorism offense under the Criminal Code. He described the threats against lawyers as a “disturbing escalation” in what he refers to as the province's ongoing “extortion crisis.” British Columbia has established an Extortion Task Force to investigate numerous extortion incidents and associated violent acts, many of which have disproportionately impacted South Asian business owners, creating a climate of fear in various communities across the province.
Kooner expressed his shock at the development, noting that in nearly two decades of practicing law, he had never encountered instances of legal professionals being targeted. He pointed out that the focus of previous reports on extortion has primarily been on business owners, homeowners, and bystanders, with this new targeting of lawyers raising serious concerns about the implications for the legal system itself.
The lawyer emphasized that the threats against legal professionals are not only an attack on them individually but also on the justice system as a whole. He called for proactive measures to ensure that lawyers feel safe representing clients involved in extortion cases, as the fear of violence may deter them from taking on such cases. Kooner pointed out that if lawyers are unwilling to engage in these matters, it could undermine the delivery of justice.
The Ministry of Attorney General issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the Law Society's notice. The ministry highlighted the safety and integrity of lawyers as paramount to the justice system's functioning and voiced support for legal professionals during this challenging period. The statement encouraged those facing threats to immediately report these incidents to the police.
In addition, Sgt. Vanessa Munn, a spokeswoman for the B.C. RCMP, confirmed that law enforcement is aware of the Law Society's warnings regarding extortion threats. However, she stated that they could not confirm any ongoing investigations involving lawyers as victims. Munn advised anyone receiving extortion threats to refrain from paying and to promptly report the matter to their local police.
This disturbing situation highlights broader issues of safety and security within the legal field in British Columbia, as well as growing concerns about organized crime and extortion in the province. The involvement of lawyers, who are critical to upholding the law, in such threats reflects an urgent need for effective responses and protective measures for those in the legal profession.
