Rajesh Soni

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Rajesh Soni, a BC lawyer, admitted under Rule 4-29 to all 19 allegations of professional misconduct in a February 2025 citation, including repeatedly misleading four clients, fabricating numerous documents (fake IRCC letters, divorce orders/certificates, court orders, judgments and correspondence), forging another lawyer's signature and jurat stamp, preparing a false affidavit, failing to provide competent service, improperly handling trust funds, misleading a Law Society auditor, and breaching an undertaking. The Discipline Committee accepted his proposal on April 2, 2026: he resigned effective April 9, 2026 and undertook not to practise law or seek reinstatement for a minimum of 10 years, with the admission recorded on his conduct record. Although the conduct clearly involved fabrication and deceit, the decision did not contain an express finding labelled 'dishonesty.' Mitigating factors included his inexperience, health issues and remorse.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience
• No tampering with or coaching witnesses
• No conflict between current clients
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money
• Honour professional undertakings
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Mitigating factors:

• Young and inexperienced lawyer; called in 2019 and practised on his own with little or no mentorship or supervision
• Health concerns for which he received medical treatment, supported by medical evidence
• Expressed remorse and accepted responsibility from the start