Monday marked an unprecedented night in the history of the Quebec Bar Association as close to 1,000 members met in Laval to deal with what they call a crisis in the legal community.
They are trying to resolve a dispute over the future of deposed Quebec Bar president Lu Chan Khuong.
A total of 68.5 per cent voted in favour of reinstating Khuong as head of the Quebec Bar Association, and 89 per cent voted in favour of an investigation into the leaked information that led to her suspension.
Khuong was elected president of the association in May.
Two months later, media reports surfaced about an alleged shoplifting incident at a Simons department store in Laval last spring.
The incident was considered a non-judicial offence, so there were no criminal charges and no trial. The file was supposed to stay confidential, but once the alleged shoplifting incident became public, the board of directors at the bar suspended her.
“It was very hard for my family, especially for my kids because they're young and they don't know how to deal with that,” said Khuong.
Khuong alleges the information was leaked to the media in an effort to discredit her and sabotage her efforts to reform the association.
She's suing the bar for $95,000; they are countersuing her for $90,000.
The ugly and very public dispute has shaken Quebec's legal community.
“It's shocking that somebody would be convicted without trial. There's a very strong presumption of innocence. It must be there,” said attorney Julius Grey.
While the results at the meeting are a show of support for Khuong, it doesn't mean she will regain her position.
The board of directors has not yet made a decision, but told the crowd it had listened to their concerns and will meet again soon.
