A Ukrainian couple, Oksana Hrabova and Oleg Lomanov, sought refuge in Canada from the conflict in their home country. Trusting their Hamilton immigration lawyer, Victoria Bruyn, the couple paid a retainer of nearly $3,000 for assistance with their permanent residency applications. However, after submitting the required documents, Bruyn ceased communication with them, leaving their case unresolved.
Expressing disappointment and disbelief, Hrabova mentioned that despite the modest sum of money involved, it was a significant amount for them. They were among four families who encountered similar issues with Bruyn, highlighting concerns about the lack of safeguards for newcomers in need of legal assistance.
While Bruyn is a licensed lawyer, the Law Society of Ontario’s registry indicated that she ceased practicing law in 2024 when she was supposed to handle the couple’s immigration matters. Subsequently, Bruyn assumed a role as a full-time adjudicator at the Landlord and Tenant Board.
In response to the couple’s claims, Bruyn refuted the allegations, citing client confidentiality for her inability to disclose details. Tribunals Ontario, which oversees the Landlord and Tenant Board, emphasized the rigorous ethical standards and background checks adjudicators undergo to maintain public trust.
Couple’s Struggle with Legal Assistance
Hrabova and Lomanov, who had fled Ukraine due to the war, faced challenges amidst the conflict. Arriving in Canada under a special temporary visa program, the couple saved diligently to hire Bruyn, recommended through a mutual connection, for their permanent residency process.
However, upon realizing the need to restart the permanent residency process with a new lawyer, they lodged complaints with the Law Society of Ontario and Hamilton police, although the latter deemed the evidence insufficient for a criminal investigation.
In a separate case, Mauricio Fernandez Perdomo and Maria Jose Ramirez Bolanos from Colombia engaged Bruyn through Legal Aid Ontario for refugee status applications. Despite assurances from Bruyn, the couple discovered that no application had been submitted, leading to a deportation threat. Eventually, with new legal representation, they obtained asylum.
Challenges Faced by Clients
In another instance, American citizen Sarah Arvanitis shared her ordeal of being separated from her family due to a botched immigration process facilitated by Bruyn. Arvanitis, who found Bruyn through legal aid, faced complications reentering Canada after discovering her permanent residency application had not been filed.
After seeking assistance from a new lawyer, Arvanitis was granted a temporary resident permit. Despite the emotional and financial toll, Arvanitis’s complaint to the Law Society of Ontario did not result in further action due to insufficient evidence of professional misconduct on Bruyn’s part.
Calls for Accountability
Arvanitis expressed dissatisfaction with the LSO’s handling of her complaint, emphasizing the importance of holding lawyers accountable to prevent similar experiences for others. The LSO’s decision not to pursue regulatory action against Bruyn has sparked ongoing concerns among affected individuals regarding legal oversight in such cases.