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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Saint John-Area Lawyer William Teed Subject of Law Society Disciplinary Process
A prominent lawyer from the Saint John area, William (Bill) Teed, is facing a disciplinary hearing after a complaint was filed with the Law Society of New Brunswick. No public details regarding the complaint or its specific allegations against Teed have been released at this time.
Disciplinary Hearing Initiated by Law Society New Brunswick
The Law Society’s discipline committee is now involved with the complaint against Teed. According to Joleen Dable, registrar of complaints and deputy executive director at the Law Society, preparations are underway for the official Notice of Complaint, which will outline the allegations. This notice, once finalized, will be posted publicly on the law society's website. Teed will have 20 days to provide a response, which will also be posted online.
Interim Suspension Hearing and Legal Practice Restriction
An interim suspension hearing took place on October 2, as stated by Dable. While Teed is already retired, the complaints committee chose not to suspend him but required, with his agreement, that he not engage in the practice of law pending the outcome of the disciplinary process. The restriction, outlined in a notice posted October 7, prevents Teed from providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, representing clients, or negotiating on behalf of others until the matter is resolved.
- Giving advice or counsel regarding legal rights or responsibilities
- Drafting or completing legal documents for others
- Representing entities or individuals before any adjudicative body
- Negotiating legal rights or responsibilities for others
This legal practice restriction will remain in effect until the discipline committee comes to a final decision in the matter.
Status of William Teed and Background
Teed, represented by lawyer Nathan Gorham, changed his status to “non-practising” in December 2025 and “retired” in June 2025, according to Gorham. Gorham said in an email statement that Teed agreed he would not return to legal practice, and the complaints committee’s condition is in accordance with this undertaking.
Teed is a well-known figure in the legal community, having been admitted to the bar in 1978 and serving as a partner at Cox & Palmer in Saint John. He specialized in corporate commercial law and has represented high-profile clients, including the Oland family. Notably, he represented the family during the legal proceedings in which Dennis Oland was tried twice for second-degree murder in the 2011 death of Richard Oland before ultimately being acquitted.
Disciplinary Hearing Timeline and Process
No date has been set for Teed's disciplinary hearing. According to the Law Society of New Brunswick, once a date is scheduled, a public notice will be posted. Hearings are open to the public and scheduled based on the availability of involved parties and the volunteer panel members of the discipline committee.
Law Society Complaint Review Procedures
The complaint against Teed was referred to the complaints committee before July 28, though the specific filing date has not been disclosed. Typically, upon receiving a law society complaint, the lawyer in question can respond, and the complainant may submit additional comments. If resolution cannot be achieved, the registrar of complaints assesses the validity of the complaint and determines if further investigation is needed. Outcomes may include dismissal of the complaint, issuance of a caution or warning, or referral to one of the law society’s committees for a final decision.
At this stage, the complaint against Teed has been deemed by the registrar to have sufficient merit to warrant review by the discipline committee.
Source: cbc.ca.
