Lawyer found in contempt secures counsel
Sentencing hearing for Stephen James Hill adjourned Thursday after he retains lawyer
A sentencing hearing for a suspended Fredericton lawyer for a civil contempt finding was adjourned Thursday morning, as he had retained counsel to represent him - but just the day before.
Court of King’s Bench Justice Richard Petrie found Stephen James Hill in contempt of court in November for failing to provide required documentation and payments to Chelsea Pasch, a former client whom he’d overbilled when he was practising law.
Hill is currently suspended from the practice of law and is awaiting a hearing before the Law Society of New Brunswick’s discipline committee.
Pasch’s lawyer, Matthew LeBlanc, had previously asked the court to consider a 15-day jail sentence for his failure to follow the court’s direction in the case.
However, Petrie reserved his decision on the contempt sentence Nov. 17, urging Hill to retain counsel.
