One-month suspension for B.C. lawyer who pleaded guilty to assault

Scales of justice. (Shutterstock)

A B.C. lawyer who punched his 80-year-old neighbour in the face and pleaded guilty to assault has been suspended for one month, according to the professional regulator.

Jason Edward Harp entered into a consent agreement with the Law Society of B.C. admitting to “conduct unbecoming the profession” and agreeing to the penalty, a document posted online Friday said.

The incident that led to the assault charge unfolded in the underground parking lot of Harp’s building in December of 2024, a statement on background facts said.

Harp approached his neighbour’s vehicle, described as a “vintage Corvette” to “to express his opinion that the complainant was driving too fast,” according to the agreement.

Unsatisfied with the driver’s response, Harp proceeded to sit on the car’s hood. “While on the vehicle, the lawyer unwrapped and ate a muffin that he was carrying,” the agreement said.

The driver of the Corvette got out of the car and “grasped the lawyer’s arm to remove him from the vehicle,” the agreement continued, adding “the lawyer punched the complainant in the face, causing the complainant to lose his balance and fall to the ground.”

Harp pleaded guilty to one count of assault and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and one year of probation.

“The lawyer agrees that punching the complainant was an impermissible overreaction to the complainant’s attempt to move the lawyer off the vehicle,” according to the agreement.

Harp reported the incident the day after it occurred, admitting it constituted professional misconduct.

“The lawyer further advised the Law Society that his cooperation with the Crown and the Law Society is motivated by his desire to discharge his duty as a lawyer to uphold the proper administration of justice,” the agreement said.

After Harp was convicted, he agreed to suspend his practice until the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings – which concluded when he entered into the consent agreement. The one-month suspension will begin if and when Harp returns to practice, the agreement said.