Disgraced Edmonton lawyer now sells tutoring services online

A former Edmontonlawyer who was disbarred for cheating clients is now advertising his services on Kijiji, offering to tutor law students.

Shawn Beaver, once part of the prominent criminal law firmBeaverLeebody and Associates, was disbarred last month after the Law Society of Alberta found he wrongfully took at least $300,000 from clients and lawyers in his firm.

Beaver said he's had some response to his ad on Kijiji.

"I don't think anybody's ever suggested that anything that may have happened in the past has affected my knowledge of the law or my ability to teach," he told CBC News.

That's a position Edmonton criminal defence lawyer BrianBereshagrees with, as long as Beaver isupfrontabout his past and makes it clear to students that he is no longer a practising lawyer.

"Once that disclosure's made, I think it would be a real waste not to employ his talents,"Bereshsaid.

Bereshsaid Beaver is knowledgeable in criminal law and that students would benefit from his expertise.

The sentiment was echoed by students at the University of Alberta, where Beaver used to teach.

Student UdoyMirdhusaid he would take classes from Beaver if the former lawyer were completely open about what happened.

"If he was a good tutor, I wouldn't mind,"Mirdhusaid, adding that everyone has to find a way to make money and put food on the table.

• Prominent Edmonton lawyer disbarred for taking money from trust accounts

• Suspended lawyer Shawn Beaver faces possibility of disbarment

U of A engineering studentLinda Shaowas a slightly more critical.

"By stealinghe is going against his profession," she said. "It's almost like an engineer designing a faulty bridge on purpose."

However, Shao acknowledged Beaver has experience and expertise to share with budding lawyers.

People can rehabilitate, and this is part of it.- BrianBeresh, criminal defence lawyer

Beaver said he's been teaching since 1997.

"I love to teach, I have a lot to offer," he said. "My teaching's always been well-received by students."

'People can rehabilitate'

The Law Society "does not regulate services offered or provided by disbarred lawyers unless those services involve the practice of law agency work or employment in a law office," spokesperson Colleen Brown saidin a written statement.

A spokesperson with the university's law faculty said the school is aware Beaver is offering his tutoring services online.

"Given Mr. Beaver is a private individual, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on his activities," said Jill Rutherford, the law department's director of communications.

Beresh said he's familiar with two other disbarred lawyers who went on to successful teaching careers.

"I think we have to be open to the honest belief that people can rehabilitate, and this is part of it."

In February, Beaver was found guilty of, or admitted to, seven citations, including misappropriating funds from clients' trust accounts, breaching accounting rules and wrongfully taking proceeds from the sale of a house.