The 74-year-old made the comments in 2011 at the bail hearing of his client David Cyprus, Victorian Legal Services said in a statement. Cyprus was charged with and convicted of sexual offences against children from the Orthodox Jewish community. 

Victoria Police had been assisted in their prosecution by a member of that community, known in records as AVB.

According to testimony heard at VCAT, Mr Lewenberg said at the hearing that he was disappointed that “a person who has nothing to do with the case and being a fellow Jew does wilfully seek to hinder another Jew in his defence of criminal charges”.

VCAT heard Mr Lewenberg reiterated these comments in a recorded telephone call with AVB.

Mr Lewenberg told VCAT that his comments had been based on a misunderstanding that AVB had given police false information, but this submission was rejected.

VCAT acting president Judge Pamela Jenkins found Mr Lewenberg guilty of professional misconduct.

She held that Mr Lewenberg was aware of the “devastating impact” of his words on AVB’s personal and professional life and that he was “in effect endorsing community condemnation”.

VCAT was told AVB was subject to rumours in the community that he was a "maser", a term for a Jew who impermissibly co-operates with authorities to prosecute other Jews, and that he had suffered considerable distress.

Judge Jenkins said the administration of justice depends on participation and co-operation from members of the public.

“For the respondent, as a legal practitioner, to suggest that members of the Jewish community or indeed any community or religious affiliation, should close ranks and decline to assist in the prosecution of charges of this nature is truly shocking.”

VCAT found Mr Lewenberg failed to demonstrate genuine remorse and failed to respond to the regulator in a frank and meaningful way.

Judge Jenkins ordered Mr Lewenberg’s practising certificate be suspended for 15 months, starting from 1 June.

He was also ordered to undertake further training in legal ethics and professional responsibility, and pay the Legal Services Commissioner’s costs of $55,455.

Victorian Legal Services Commissioner Michael McGarvie welcomed the outcome.

“Mr Lewenberg’s endorsement of outmoded and inappropriate religious principles directly conflicted with his duties as an officer of the court and the strict ethical obligations and conduct rules all lawyers must adhere to,” Mr McGarvie said.

He also criticised Mr Lewenberg’s conduct during the case, including his allegations that Legal Services Commission officers were “anti-Jewish”.

“Continuing to deny wrongdoing and accusing investigators of improper motives, then finally apologising before the court, reveals a flawed understanding of a lawyer’s duty of candour and honest.”

Lawyers Weekly contacted Mr Lewenberg for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.