Lawyer fails to keep license

Even after two appearances in court, the lawyer failed to convince the magistrate.

A lawyer from Albury has failed to keep his license after representing himself twice in court.
 
Joe Efrem Blackshield was caught by police on October 23 driving at least 30kph above the limit, a report from The Border Mail reveals.
 
Magistrate Michael Price of the Albury Local Court revoked the lawyer’s license he failed in arguing his case.
 
According to The Border Mail, Blackshield, a P plater, used four arguments to try to keep his license.
 
The lawyer said that he needed his license because he does emergency legal work including completing wills for people in palliative care.
 
Moreover, Blackshield said that he needed to drive to Wodonga to perform volunteer work for underprivileged clients.
 
The lawyer also argued that he needed to keep his license to continue to drive to visit his grandmother in Sydney every month.
 
Furthermore, Blackshield said that revoking the license would be “exceptionally harsh” because he has only been in Albury for six months and thus has no support in the area.
 
However, in his decision to dismiss the lawyer’s appeal, the magistrate said that Blackshield can still practice law even if he did not have a driver’s license.
 

Related stories:
Unregistered barrister disbarred over smuggling tobacco
More Canadian judges in hot water over sex assault case handling
 

Recent articles & video

Promotions round beefs up Clyde & Co's Australia partnership

Piper Alderman, Holding Redlich recognised in 2025 Best Lawyers Australia

Far West Regional Law Soc roundtable focuses on access to justice

American Bar Association president Mary Smith calls for action as threats against judges surge

UK report finds barristers outperform solicitors in recruitment tests

Yale and Stanford dominate as the top US law schools in the latest rankings

Most Read Articles

QIC GC joins HSF as executive counsel

DLA Piper helps Indian tech company to boost customer service offering with acquisition

Nine promoted to partner at HSF's Australia branch

Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling name 40 partners for the merged firm