Recent decisions from the Council of the Law Society of NSW

Decisions in relation to practising certificates

The following decisions, which are recorded in the Office of Legal Services Commissioner Disciplinary Register, were made by the Council up to and including 30 September 2024.

Lawyer Name: Ghobrial, Michael
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 27-Aug-1999
Law Practice: Michael Ghobrial – Manager appointed
Business Address or Former Address:
THE BROADWALK, Suite 2E, THE BROADWALK ARCADE PENRITH NSW AUSTRALIA 2750
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: On 18 September 2020, in the District Court of New South Wales (case number 2019/00157900) (District Court Proceedings) before his Honour Judge Hanley SC, the respondent adhered to pleas of guilty entered in the Local Court on 13 March 2020 with respect to two charges under s 125 of the Crimes Act 1900 as follows:

a) Between 11:40am on 13 April 2018 and 11:40am on 25 October 2018 at Penrith, did steal $236,785.91, the property of Melissa ISON.

b) Between 11: 40am on 13 April 2018 and 11:40am on 25 October 2018 at Penrith, did steal $246,785.91, the property of Craig HALLORAN.

Finding: Not a fit and proper person to remain on the Supreme Court Roll of Australian lawyers
By: Supreme Court of New South Wales Court of Appeal
Date: 20-Dec-2024
Disciplinary Action: Costs and removal of lawyer’s name from the Roll of Australian lawyers
Disciplinary Action Date: 20-Dec-2024
Proceedings Instituted By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Citation: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales v Ghobrial [2024] NSWCA 307
Lawyer Name: Safi, Arzoo
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 07-Dec-2018
Law Practice: Safi Legal
Business Address or Former Address: PO BOX 3757, RHODES NSW 2138 RHODES NSW AUSTRALIA 2138
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: It is alleged that the Solicitor has misused client trust funds.
Finding: The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales reasonably believes that the Solicitor is unable to fulfil the inherent requirements of an Australian legal practitioner.
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 17-Dec-2024
Disciplinary Action: Cancellation of the Solicitor’s practising certificate for the year ending 30 June 2025 (under s 82(1)(d) of the Uniform Law) and restriction from making any further application for a practising certificate for a period of three (3) years.
Disciplinary Action Date: 17-Dec-2024
Manager Appointed: Yes
Manager Appointed Date: 21-Nov-2024
Lawyer Name: Shen, Hao Ran
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 30-Mar-2007
Law Practice: Shen’s Lawyers Pty Limited
Business Address or Former Address: Suite 482, LEVEL 5, 311-315 CASTLEREAGH STREET, SYDNEY NSW 2000 SYDNEY NSW AUSTRALIA 2000
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: It is alleged that the Solicitor transferred client funds into his personal bank account for investment purposes and without client authority.
Finding: The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales reasonably believes that the Solicitor is unable to fulfil the inherent requirements of an Australian legal practitioner.
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 17-Dec-2024
Disciplinary Action: Cancellation of the Solicitor’s practising certificate for the year ending 30 June 2025 (under s 82(1)(d) of the Uniform Law) and restriction from making any further application for a practising certificate for a period of three (3) years.
Disciplinary Action Date: 17-Dec-2024
Manager Appointed: Yes
Manager Appointed Date: 21-Nov-2024

Decisions to externally intervene in a Law Practice:

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

Lawyer Name: Thompson, Ian Peter
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 05-Apr-2013 (NSW)
Law Practice: IBTLaw
Business Address or Former Address: Suite 410, 17 BOLTON STREET, NEWCASTLE NSW 2300 NEWCASTLE NSW AUSTRALIA 2300
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
Substance of Conduct Matter: The Lawyer has failed to comply with a condition imposed on his practising certificate for the year ending 30 June 2024.
Finding: The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales reasonably believes that the Lawyer is unable to fulfil the inherent requirements of an Australian legal practitioner.
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 17-Dec-2024
Disciplinary Action: Refusal to renew the practising certificate of the Lawyer for the year ending 30 June 2025 (under s 45 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW).
Specified Duration: Manager appointed for a period of two (2) years
Manager Appointed: Yes
Manager Appointed Date: 17-Dec-2024
Lawyer Name: Tremback, Ian
Lawyer Type: Solicitor
Date/s of Admission/s: 27-Jul-1973 (NSW)
Law Practice: Ian Tremback
Business Address or Former Address: PO BOX 7592, BONDI BEACH NSW 2026 BONDI BEACH NSW AUSTRALIA 2026
Place of Issue of Practising Certificate: New South Wales
By: Council of the Law Society of New South Wales
Date: 17-Dec-2024
Specified Duration: Manager appointed for a period of one (1) year.
Manager Appointed: Yes
Manager Appointed Date: 17-Dec-2024