Calgary lawyer resigns from firm after sending 'disturbing' and 'misogynistic' email

WARNING: This article contains graphic content including sexual and profanity.

A Calgary lawyer has resigned after his firm sent an email it described as “deeply disturbing” in which he twice referred to women as “vaginal people” and repeatedly mocked transgender people.

Rob Racochey, who was named a King's Counsel (KC) in March for his contributions to the legal community, has left Field Law this week, the firm confirmed on Thursday.

The appointment of a Crown Counsel is an honor for lawyers who demonstrate the highest level of integrity in the profession.

Rakochey, who has practiced law in Alberta for the past 34 years, sent a 2,000-word email to dozens of colleagues and lawyers in Calgary on May 7, inviting them to the annual Rob Rakochey Invitational golf tournament in Kimberley, B.C.

“Maybe leave Holar behind for this trip – there's enough talent in town,” he wrote in an email.

“The Man with the Scabbard”

Maybe, says Rakoczy's invitation, this could be the year a woman wins a golf tournament.

“I long for the day when the prize is presented to a worthy man,” wrote the senior lawyer.

As the king's new adviser, Rakočei joked that his friends could argue in passing.

“If you plan to nod repeatedly like some do, keep your mouth shut so people don't get the wrong impression,” Racochey wrote.

“I'm in room 408, if you're not a curmudgeon.”

Rakoczy did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this story.

“Dick Picks”

In his email, Racochey referred to a golf tournament participant on a previous outing who filmed a woman who was “full of dick/ball joints after the last drop of tequila was consumed on Saturday night.”

The post details what to expect at the tournament, including available resort and golf packages.

“You can come as far as you want—just respect your roommate and wipe after,” she says.

The three-night “Finishers' Package” is designed for golfers who “know where we came from, where we are, where we're going and are comfortable.”

“Problem of trans people”

A two-night stay was designated as the Transitioners Package.

“Conversion, change, still a bit confused, but on your journey.”

“Back to the issue of trans people,” Racochey wrote in an email. “People are born one way, but later decide they want to be another.”

Rakoczy also wrote about a golfer who transitioned from left-handed to right-handed, describing the transition “naturally – without surgery, hormones, etc.” wrote that it can be done.

Firm “unsanctioned” email

In a written statement to CBC News, Field Law managing partner Jeremiah Kowalchuk said the firm was aware of an “inappropriate email” that was “unsanctioned and related to a social event unrelated to Field Law.”

“The email was deeply disturbing and its content does not reflect the values ​​and beliefs of our organization,” Kovalchuk wrote.

“Field Law prides itself on being a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for all.”

Kovalchuk said the firm investigated the email as soon as it became aware of it.

“(I) can now confirm that the individual in question has resigned. Our teams are working to ensure a smooth transition for our clients.”

“Disrespectful and misogynistic”

CBC News asked Kellynde Wrightson, a lawyer and professor at the University of Calgary, to review the invitation.

Wrightson, who also chairs the law school's Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee, called the email “divisive … disrespectful and misogynistic.”

“It's amazing that not just one member of our legal community, but someone who's been appointed as Crown Counsel, thinks it's OK to put it in writing,” Wrightson told CBC News.

“How do you improve the well-being of our community when you engage in actions like this that openly and intentionally harm the well-being of our community?” Wrightson said.

“100 years old”

E-mail alienates members of the dedicated community and sends the message that they are “not welcome,” Wrightson said.

“It's about 100 years old, right?”

Citing the Alberta Law Society's code of conduct, Wrightson says he wouldn't be surprised if the self-regulatory body receives email complaints.

“(That section) talks about dishonorable and questionable behavior in personal life or professional practice, and when I read that, it's questionable and I think it's dishonorable. It's incredibly disrespectful. It's also irresponsible,” Wrightson said.

In a statement to CBC News, the law society said it cannot speak to the complaints it receives.

“Complaints and investigations are confidential under the law, from the moment we raise concerns about a lawyer. The matter will only become public when references are filed and the complaint is referred to a public hearing,” the law society wrote.