David Schaefer - Lawyer in Vernon, British Columbia - Clearway Law

David Schaefer

David L. Schaefer Law Corporation | Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

A lawyer since 1997

(5.0)

Based on 3 Reviews

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Customer Reviews

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Anonymous

(2024-01-27)

5 out of 5 stars


I recently had the opportunity to engage with David Schaefer Law Corporation and was thoroughly impressed by the experience. David Schaefer, the driving force behind this firm, has been self-employed since May 2020 and operates out of Vernon, British Columbia. His journey in the legal field is both extensive and inspiring, spanning over two decades as a partner at DavidsonPringle LLP where he honed his expertise in business law, incorporations, real estate development and conveyancing, as well as wills and estate practice.

What stands out about David is not just his professional prowess, but also his academic background. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Victoria, a testament to his dedication and well-rounded education. His involvement in university life, including being a member of the men's varsity volleyball team and coaching the junior varsity team, speaks to his leadership and team spirit.

Beyond his legal and academic accomplishments, David's commitment to community service is admirable. As the Makeover Committee Director for the Easter Seals Camp Winfield since March 2014, he has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the camp. His efforts, along with over 200 volunteers, have led to significant improvements to the facility, ensuring that it continues to serve special needs users. This project, which brought together friends and ball teammates from Vernon, including the Killer Bees, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of David's life.

Additionally, his work as a Director for the Vernon & District Association for the Mentally Handicapped (now Community Living) demonstrates his deep commitment to advocacy and support for individuals with mental disabilities. His fond memories of working with board members and leaders like Nancy Pike and Dorothy Alexander highlight his passion for making a difference in the community.
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Anonymous

(2024-01-28)

5 out of 5 stars

Despite the news, he’s a good guy with a good heart
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Anonymous

(2024-04-25)

5 out of 5 stars

HI David! You may know that our UVic Law Class of 1984 reunion will be held on Saturday, June 1 at the UVic Faculty Club. Have you been able to confirm your attendance with Wynn or Martha? What is your current e-mail address? Kyl

Information

Current Status:
Not Practicing Law
Practice Areas:
Education:
Law, University of Victoria, 1996
Firm Name:
David L. Schaefer Law Corporation
Location:
2901 32 Street, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada V1T 5M2
More Information:

A legal practitioner in BC has expressed profound regret following his accidental withdrawal of approximately $9,000 from the bank account of an elderly couple. This incident occurred while the lawyer, David Leslie Schaeffer, was entrusted with the role of their power of attorney. The couple, identified only as “DE” and “AE,” were aged 88 and 95 respectively at the time, and both were grappling with cognitive challenges.

Schaeffer, who operates his legal practice in Vernon, will face a suspension commencing on March 1 for a duration of one month. This disciplinary action comes after a Law Society of BC hearing panel concluded that Schaeffer had engaged in professional misconduct.

The panel noted that Schaeffer’s actions significantly eroded public confidence in the legal profession. The Law Society of BC emphasized the detrimental impact of such conduct on the perception of lawyers by the general public.

Schaeffer's appointment as power of attorney for the couple occurred in October 2018. Subsequent to this, in May 2020, he dissolved his partnership at a law firm and continued his practice independently.

Investigators from the Law Society initiated an inquiry into Schaeffer's actions following concerns raised by his former law partner. The investigation centered on over $11,000 worth of withdrawals from the couple's bank account, a process facilitated by Schaeffer, who possessed the debit card linked to this account.

According to the findings of the panel, detailed in their decision dated January 22, Schaeffer mistakenly believed he was accessing his own funds during these transactions. At that time, Schaeffer also had a business Visa credit card issued by the same bank, and both the credit and debit cards shared similar physical characteristics and required identical PIN codes.

Schaeffer explained to the society that the confusion arose from the similarity between his personal banking cards and those of his clients, which he kept together in his wallet.

Furthermore, the panel highlighted concerns regarding Schaeffer's record-keeping for the account. Between January 3, 2019, and April 14, 2020, Schaeffer made 33 separate withdrawals totaling $9,903 from the couple’s accounts. However, he only maintained receipts for withdrawals amounting to around $1,000.

The Law Society's code of conduct mandates that lawyers must distinctly label and safely store clients’ property, separating it from their own. While Schaeffer did not concede to violating this specific code, he did acknowledge using the funds for personal purposes on nine occasions inadvertently.

The panel acknowledged Schaeffer's admission of misconduct and his cooperative stance during the hearing as mitigating factors. Additionally, Schaeffer proactively completed courses in legal accounting and training on representing clients with dementia, demonstrating his commitment to rectifying his mistakes and improving his professional conduct.

Experience

Employment:
No experience information available.
Publications:
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Awards:
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Rates

Hourly:
$250