Suspension for BC lawyer who punched 80-year-old in the face

A BC lawyer who punched an 80-year-old man in the face has been suspended for one month.

According to a June 9 BC Law Society decision, lawyer Jason Edward Harp got into a dispute with the 80-year-old man in the parade of their condo building last December.

The senior was driving a vintage Corvette with his son-in-law and in the parkade when Harp saw him and thought he was driving at an “excessively high speed.”

The lawyer approached the driver’s side window and told the senior he was driving too fast.

“The Lawyer was not satisfied with the (senior’s) response,” the decision read.

Harp then sat on the hood of the Corvette.

“While on the vehicle, the lawyer unwrapped and ate a muffin that he was carrying,” the decision said.

The decision said the 80-year-old asked Harp to get off his car three times, although Harp said he didn’t recall hearing that.

After about 15 seconds the 80-year-old got out of the vehicle and grasped the lawyer to get him off the Corvette.

“The lawyer punched the (senior) in the face, causing (him) to lose his balance and fall to the ground,” the decision read.

The lawyer admitted that punching the man was an “impermissible overreaction” and reported his behaviour to the Law Society the following day.

Harp, who is in his early 50s, was later charged with assault and pleaded guilty. In March, he was sentenced to a conditional discharge, meaning he will not have a criminal record provided he adheres to 12 months of probation.

He handed in his licence to practice law the next day.

Harp, who became licenced in 2018, later signed a consent agreement with the regulator admitting that his behaviour constituted conduct unbecoming the profession. 

While the lawyer is not currently practicing, the regulator suspended his licence for one month, if and when he returns to practicing.

The regulator said in the circumstances it would normally issue a fine but hadn’t done so to accommodate him.