A criminal lawyer disciplined for the second time has forced the Law Society Tribunal to choose between issuing a standard suspension or allowing him to continue representing a client at a gun trial.

The unusual dilemma pits the rights of an accused against the Law Society of Ontario’s (LSO) ability to regulate its members — in this case, a lawyer who says 95 per cent of his cases are through legal aid and paid for with public money. At stake is the public’s trust in the legal system.

Hamilton criminal lawyer Michael Puskas. Spectator file photo

During an Aug. 22 Zoom hearing, Michael Puskas admitted to engaging in professional misconduct by failing to co-operate with an LSO spot audit and investigation, beginning in February. He admits he did not hand over documents lawyers are requi

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