Ontario lawyer faces more misconduct allegations from residential school survivors

Twenty-one residential school survivors have come forward with new allegations of professional misconduct against lawyer Doug Keshen, from Kenora, Ont., according to the Law Society of Upper Canada.

The Law Society Tribunal is already looking into several previous allegations againstKeshen, including a claim that hetransferredsettlement funds of residential school clients to himself.

Keshen deniedthe previousallegations, telling CBC Newsearlier thisyear that all of his clients "received their full entitlement."

Four of the 21 new complainants allege Keshenarranged for high interest loans, secured against anticipated settlement funds,which is prohibited by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

There are also claims that Keshenwithdrew legal fees and disbursements from survivors'settlement funds without sending them a bill or setting out what the fees would be.

All 21 of the new complainants allege Keshen failed to interview them about their claims and failed tocommunicate with them throughout the process.

The Law Society Tribunal willset the next steps in the hearing process onDec. 7.