Barrister Douglas Taffs of Westport, NZ; serial drunk, repeat offender

The Law Society of New Zealand presented Douglas James Taffs with a law license in 1977.

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found Doug guilty of the following misconduct.

As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Disciplinary Tribunal punished Doug by gifting him with a complimentary censure.

1^st bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree - 2013 

• Third conviction for driving under the influence (DUI)
• Convicted of intentional obstruction of police constable
• Fined $4,000 along with court costs for 3^rd DUI and obstruction charges

The convictions arose after Doug finished playing golf and while he consumed alcohol at a hotel in Westport. On the way home he was stopped by police and failed the breath screening test. He was then taken to the police station in Westport.

After his arrest, Doug attempted to evade being processed by attempting to leave the building by climbing a fence. While hooked up to a breath testing machine, he disconnected the cables and placed coins in his mouth during the procedure.

As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Disciplinary Tribunal punished Doug by gifting him with a complimentary 3-month suspension of his law license.

2^nd bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree - 2015 

• Financial management of practice unsatisfactory
• Failed for several years to pay tax liabilities
• Failed to cooperate with ethics investigators (Up yours, said Doug!)

As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Disciplinary Tribunal punished Doug by gifting him with a complimentary censure.

As we speak (ca. March 2016), Doug practices Douglas Taffs Barrister at 189 Fairdown Road in Westport, New Zealand.