A Surrey-based family lawyer known for media commentary and recent self-starring commercials during Vancouver Canucks broadcasts has resigned from his profession after admitting to sexual harassment of his employees, spanning decades.
The Law Society of B.C. stated Tuesday that Stuart Zukerman will hand in his licence to practise law on Nov. 30 and agreed not to apply for reinstatement for a minimum of five years after admitting to professional misconduct.
Zukerman, who practised law at his firm Zukerman Law Group since 2011, admitted that between 2000 and 2023 he sexually harassed employees at his law firm, the society stated
Surreptious photograph, video
“Zukerman created, promoted or encouraged a highly sexualized, intimidating, hostile and/or offensive work environment at his firm. His misconduct included touching without consent, making comments of a sexual nature, engaging in unwelcomed romantic and/or sexual advances and taking or attempting to take a surreptitious photograph and video without the person’s consent,” the society noted.
“In approving the consent agreement proposal, the Chair of Discipline considered the outcomes in prior and related cases, the interests of the victims and Zukerman’s physical and mental health issue,” added the society.
According to the consent agreement, the society uncovered “numerous incidents of sexual harassment.”
Zukerman faced numerous informal complaints about his lewd behaviour over the years and stood accused of promoting and better compensating those who went along with his harassment of others.
But May 10, 2023 appeared to be a tipping point in the Zukerman law office; that’s when, according to the consent agreement, Zukerman “attempted to take a surreptitious video recording of BB underneath her dress. BB caught the lawyer attempting to film her and became distraught. She requested that the lawyer delete the video and he complied. BB left the office that afternoon and never returned.”
The May 10, 2023 incident culminated in the resignation of three female employees from the firm.
News outlets
Zukerman admitted to professional misconduct under the code of conduct and agreed not to be alone with any women in his office until he leaves.
Zukerman often advertised his service on television, imploring people seeking divorce to call him before their spouse does. He sometimes appeared on news outlets to discuss family law matters.
Glacier Media reached out to Zukerman for an opportunity to comment on the consent agreement and will update this story should he respond.
According to his website, Zukerman was born and raised in Montreal, Que. and “came to Vancouver in 1981 to complete his education at the University of British Columbia, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 and his Law degree in 1988.”
Sexual misconduct among lawyers is a matter the society is paying special attention to and the public can report misconduct to the society.
