Marc Eckardt

In a disturbing case, a former Nanaimo lawyer, Marc Andre Eckardt (aka Marc Andre Scheirer), got the boot from the legal profession after being found guilty of sexual harassment. This isn’t his first run-in with the law — he was already disbarred last December after being convicted for sexually assaulting another client.

This new ruling centers around "AR," a client who came forward with claims about Eckardt’s inappropriate behavior back in 2016. According to the Law Society of B.C., AR had to deal with years of trauma and fear because she was too scared to speak out against a lawyer who was supposed to help her. But after seeing the power imbalance and feeling trapped since Eckardt was appointed to her through legal aid, she finally had enough.

The Incident: A Lawyer’s Office Turns Into a Nightmare

It all started when AR, seeking a protection order and custody of her kids, walked into Eckardt's office in June 2016. Instead of a professional meeting, she was met with something completely unexpected. No one was at the reception desk, and before she knew it, Eckardt came up and put his arms around her upper chest, pressing her body against his. She froze. According to AR, Eckardt laughed it off after a minute and invited her into his office.

Once they were in the office, the situation didn’t get any better. AR testified that Eckardt started rubbing his socked foot against her legs under the desk. To top it off, he even asked if she was planning on having more kids. When she said no, he made some gross comment about how lucky he would be if she were the mother of his children. By the time the meeting wrapped up, AR said she was so panicked that she rushed out of the office, broke down in tears in her car, and again when she got home.

Witness Testifies: It Didn’t End There

Fast forward to October 2016. AR and Eckardt were at a court hearing, and her friend (who's named "TW" in the report) noticed Eckardt touching AR inappropriately again. TW testified that Eckardt, looking disheveled and possibly drunk, put his hand on AR's thigh while they sat outside the courtroom. The situation made AR super uncomfortable, but she didn’t feel she had any other options.

After Years of Silence, AR Speaks Up

AR eventually decided to come forward when Eckardt was already under fire for another case of sexual misconduct in 2022, which resulted in a six-month suspension. During that time, he had been caught inviting another female client over to his home, drinking alcohol, and changing into "inappropriate" clothing. AR, seeing the news, decided she couldn’t stay silent any longer.

She described her experience as deeply traumatic, especially given her history with domestic abuse and childhood trauma. "I felt helpless and invisible," she told the panel, reflecting on how her trust in the legal system was shattered.

Law Society Takes Action

The Law Society didn’t waste time, ruling that Eckardt’s actions constituted sexual harassment and professional misconduct. The panel was clear that this kind of behavior, especially from someone in a position of power like a lawyer, demands serious consequences. "For the public to have confidence in the legal profession, this kind of conduct can’t go unpunished," the panel stated.

Where Was the Support?

One of the things AR emphasized was how lost she felt during the whole ordeal. She didn’t know where to turn or how to report what was happening. “Do I go to his own law firm? Who do I even tell?” she wondered. She wished there was better communication about what to do in these situations, especially for vulnerable people relying on legal aid.

In the end, Eckardt did get her the protection order and custody she needed, but the emotional toll left AR with deep scars. She’s now working in government services and trying to move forward, but the experience still lingers.

A Warning to the Legal Community

Eckardt’s disbarment sends a message: misconduct like this won’t be tolerated. The Law Society has now introduced specific processes for handling sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination. AR hopes that by sharing her story, others who have faced abuse in professional settings will feel empowered to speak out and seek justice.