Former B.C. lawyer misappropriated clients settlement; never returned calls [Video]

A former B.C. lawyer who was disbarred for misappropriating client funds was found to have taken an additional $18,200 from an additional client who was paid that money as a settlement for being injured in a car crash.

A recent decision from the disciplinary tribunal of the Law Society of B.C. lays out the details of two additional counts of misconduct committed by Rene Joan Gantzert – who has not communicated with the regulatory body since he resigned as a member in 2020.

In 2016, according to the decision, Gantzert was retained to represent a client in a personal injury case. The agreement entitled Gantzert to a contingency fee equivalent to between 20 and 30 per cent of any settlement.

During a phone call in June of 2017, Gantzert told her a settlement would be reached that day – which it was.

But the client never heard from her lawyer again.

ICBC wrote a cheque for $18,200 to the lawyer, sending it …