IN THE MATTER of an Inquiry into the conduct of Steven Cooper arising from and in relation to Discipline File No. 2021-0534

NOTICE OF HEARING 

TAKE NOTICE THAT pursuant to the provisions of Section 24.5 (5) of the Legal Profession Act, an inquiry will take place by a committee of inquiry into the following matter relating to the conduct of Steven Cooper. It is alleged that:

1. It is alleged that between April 2019 and October 2022 you failed to provide legal services in a timely and competent manner to facilitate the transfer of a lease, for which you had accepted the retainer from your client, the Rae Edzo Friendship Centre (also known as the Tlicho Leagia Ts’iili Ko), through its Executive Director, Joe Pintarics, (the “Client”), being contrary to Sections 3.1-1 and 3.2-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and that such conduct is deserving of discipline.

2. It is alleged that on or about January 16, 2020 you did use funds held in your trust account for payment of your fee accounts dated October 23, 2019 and dated January 16, 2020 contrary to Rule 130 of the Rules of the Law Society in that the funds in your trust account were subject to trust conditions and were not for use or release to your client and that such conduct is deserving of discipline.

3. It is alleged that between June 2019 and April 2022 you did fail to comply with the trust conditions imposed on you by Mr. Paul Bachand, counsel for the Tlicho Government, under his June 27, 2019 letter regarding the holding of $30,000 in your trust account pending completion of the registration of the Surrender of Lease at the NWT Land Titles Office being contrary to Section 7.2-11 of the Code of Professional Conduct and that such conduct is deserving of discipline.

4. It is alleged that the approximately $13,000 in fees you charged to your Client for the transfer of a lease for your Client was not fair or reasonable, being contrary to Section 3.6-1 of the Code of Professional Conduct and that such conduct is deserving of discipline.

The inquiry will be held virtually on Thursday, June 25, 2026 and Friday, June 26, 2026 commencing at 9:30 am. Anyone wishing to observe may attend via Zoom (contact the LSNT offices for connection information).

DATED at Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories this 4th day of June, 2026.