May 2025: recent decisions of the Law Society Council

Decisions in relation to practising certificates

The following decisions are recorded in the Office of Legal Services Commissioner Disciplinary Register:

Lawyer Name: Reid, Benjamin Paul
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 07-Jul-2006 (NSW)
Law Practice: Reid & Vesely
Business Address or Former Address: LEVEL 2, 35 SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION NSW 2022 BONDI JUNCTION NSW AUSTRALIA 2022
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: Notice issued to the Lawyer pursuant to s 77 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law) immediately suspending his practising certificate pending investigation into withdrawal of trust funds without apparent authorisation.
Finding: The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales is considering whether to start, continue or complete action under Part 3.5 of the Uniform Law and considers it necessary in the public interest to suspend the practitioner’s practising certificate immediately.
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 27-Mar-2025
Disciplinary Action: Suspension of the Solicitor’s practising certificate for the year ending 30 June 2025 (under s 77 of the Uniform Law)
Disciplinary Action Date: 27-Mar-2025
Specified Duration: For the year ending 30 June 2025

Lawyer Name: Shapkin, Vladimir
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 09-Dec-2021
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: The automatic show cause event that occurred on 01 September 2022, namely Mr Shapkin’s conviction of serious offences resulting in a community corrections order, fine and an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. The failure by Mr Shapkin to disclose further criminal charges laid in October 2023, directly related to the 01 September 2022 convictions.
Finding: Not a fit and proper person to hold a practising certificate
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 13-Feb-2025
Disciplinary Action: Refusal of grant of practising certificate

Lawyer Name: Boys, Mark Phillip
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 11-Apr-2008 (NSW)
Law Practice: MPB Lawyers
Business Address or Former Address: MARANGA HOUSE, Suite 2, 32 BAY STREET TWEED HEADS NSW AUSTRALIA 2485
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: Breach of Rule 33 of the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules 2015
Finding: Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 06-Mar-2025
Disciplinary Action: Reprimand
Disciplinary Action Date: 06-Mar-2025

Lawyer Name: Dib, Ahmed
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 05-Dec-2014 (NSW)
Law Practice: Dib Partners Pty Ltd
Business Address or Former Address: Suite 302, LEVEL 3, 276 PITT STREET, SYDNEY NSW 2000 SYDNEY NSW AUSTRALIA 2000
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: The solicitor failed to comply with court orders requiring him to file an affidavit and attend court and failed to ensure, as Principal, that other solicitors at his law practice complied with those orders.
Finding: Unsatisfactory professional conduct
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 27-Mar-2025
Disciplinary Action: Fine $3,000; lawyer to undertake and complete further ethics education; reprimand
Disciplinary Action Date: 27-Mar-2025

Decisions to externally intervene in a Law Practice:

The Council of the Law Society of NSW appointed managers to the following practices:

Lawyer Name: Kernick, Bradley Meade
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 05-Dec-2008 (NSW)
Law Practice: Kernick Law Pty Limited
Business Address or Former Address: 3 ALISON ROAD WYONG NSW AUSTRALIA 2259
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 21-Jan-2025
Specified Duration: Manager appointment for a period of 1 year
Manager Appointed: Yes
Manager Appointed Date: 21-Jan-2025