The Law Society of Ontario is looking to suspend a lawyer from the Quinte area.
The motion is for suspension/restriction of the legal license of Gregory Edward Brant Castellano.
According to his website, Greg Castellano is a family lawyer, serving the Quinte region and Kingston.
Allegations in the motion include professional misconduct, not cooperating with the Law Society, failing to report criminal charges to the Law Society (allegations of drugging and sexually assaulting a member of the public), practicing law while not licensed and not maintaining books and records.
The L.S.O believes that Castellano keeping his license creates a “significant risk of harm to members of the public.”
The hear is set for December 19th. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
THE FULL GROUNDS OF THE MOTION ARE LISTED BELOW
The grounds for the motion are:
- The respondent is the subject of seven investigations, all authorized in 2024, in which substantial professional misconduct is alleged, and the respondent is not cooperating fully with all of the investigations of the Law Society.
- The respondent is facing very serious criminal charges that bring discredit to the professions, including drugging and sexually assaulting a member of the public. The respondent is refusing to cooperate with the Law Society’s investigation.
- The Law Society is investigating allegations that the respondent is disregarding many of his professional obligations. The respondent is being investigated for failing to report his criminal charges to the Law Society. The Law Society has received evidence that the respondent is not maintaining books and records in compliance with financial requirements and that he has failed to advise of changes to his contact information.
- The respondent recently claimed that he has lost possession of his books and records and his client files, thus undermining the ability of the Law Society to protect the public and to regulate the professional conduct of the respondent.
- The Law Society has received evidence of and is investigating allegations that the respondent has practised law during periods in which his licence has been suspended in each of the past three calendar years. The Law Society is investigating a complaint from Legal Aid Ontario that the respondent has billed for work during periods in which his licence was suspended.
- The Law Society is investigating complaints from four clients. The allegations include dishonesty on the part of the respondent, failing to provide competent services, failing to communicate, failing to account, and failing to transfer client files to successor counsel.
- There are reasonable grounds to believe that the respondent’s licensure represents a significant risk of harm to members of the public and to the public interest in the administration of justice if an interlocutory order is not made.
- Section 49.27 of the Law Society Act.
- Rules 8 and 12 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure.
- Such further and other grounds as the Law Society may advise and the Hearing Division permit.
