Law Times

Page 16 February 25, 2013 �� Law Times ��� u The u Bizarre Briefs InsIde story By Viola James ITALIAN ELECTION A TRUE HORSE RACE ROME ��� They say elections have degenerated into horse races, so why not get around bans on publishing polls by masking them as a contest between four-legged animals? According to Reuters, a blog appears to have found a way around a publishing ban on polls in the two weeks before the vote by writing up the results of pretend ���underground horse races��� that appear to reflect each party���s standing. During the blackout period, pollsters continue to conduct surveys for their clients but are banned from publishing their findings in case they influence this week���s vote, Reuters reported. But as in the last French presidential election when people outside France used transparent parody names on Twitter to reveal the results of exit polls, the Internet is proving more difficult to control. Just before the blackout fell, bloggers Andrea Mancia and Simone Bressan posted ���The illegal races return!��� on their site notapolitica.it that set out the main ���stables��� and ���jockeys��� competing. In line with the last published official polls, the winning horses of last Tuesday���s ���San Nicola Racetrack��� came from the ���Bien Comun��� stables, a thinly disguised name for the centre-left ���Italia Bene Comune��� coalition. The centre right of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was shown coming in just 3-1/2 ���seconds��� behind. Michele di Lollo, an editor of notapolitica.it, denied the races reflected the results of real political polls. ���It���s just a game,��� di Lollo told Reuters. ���But everyone can interpret it as they want, if you know what I mean.��� Using a mix of puns and French, notapolitica. it renders centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani as jockey ���Pier le Smacchiateur��� and Mario Monti as ���Mario de la Montaigne.��� Berlusconi is dubbed ���Burlesque.��� Horses representing Beppe Grillo���s 5-Star Movement are referred to as ���stellar��� while the names of races allude to different pollsters. ���San Walter Giuliano Racecourse,��� for example, appears to refer to research group SWG. Another blog, youtrend.it, took advantage of the resignation of Pope Benedict to publish polls purportedly reflecting currents in the papal conclave to elect the next pontiff but with nonexistent cardinals who closely resemble key politicians. Pitting conservative and liberal factions of imaginary cardinals against each other, youtrend. it last Monday revealed that the ���progressive front��� in the conclave was several points ahead of the Vatican���s right-leaning faction. It���s a sign of how the Internet is shaking up a political landscape once dominated by television and publishing mogul Berlusconi, whose four terms as prime minister were often linked by observers to his formidable media power. But the ban on the media publishing polls remains and anyone found to have broken it during the blackout faces a maximum fine of 250,000 euro, according to media regulator Agcom. STRIPPERS PERFORM AT SWEET 16 SOUTH GLEN FALLS, N.Y. ��� Strippers aren���t something most people would think about when it comes to planning for a child���s sweet 16. But according to the Glens Falls Post-Star, a 33-year-old mother is facing five charges for hiring two strippers for her son���s birthday party at a bowling alley. He was turning 16. The Nov. 3, 2012, party included exotic dancers and partygoers as young as 14, the Post-Star reported. Police have since been investigating after photos appeared online. According to the PostStar, the party took place in a private room with butcher paper covering the windows. During the party, the dancers reportedly stripped to their underwear and gave lap dances. Charged is Judy H. Viger. According to the PostStar, she���s facing five counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The charge carries a prison sentence of up to a year, the Post-Star reported. LT ���And all those health concerns about wind turbines I think are totally overblown!��� 11 FMC MINING LAWYERS JOIN BENNETT JONES Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP has lost 11 corporate mining and securities lawyers to Bennett Jones LLP. The departing lawyers include senior counsel John Sabine; partners Michael Melanson, Sander Grieve, Linda Misetich Dann, Abbas Ali Khan, James Clare, and Ali Naushahi; and associates Elianeth Alicea, Jamie Au, Tiffany Canzano, and Justin Park. ���This is a remarkable team of lawyers, Hugh MacKinnon and we are delighted to have them join Bennett Jones,��� said Bennett Jones chairman and chief executive officer Hugh MacKinnon. ���With our 90-year history in the energy and natural resources sectors, the addition of this team builds on our commitment to provide our clients with world-class expertise and service.��� The loss of the mining lawyers at FMC follows the announcement last year of its merger with Salans and SNR Denton to form Dentons. CLYDE WELLS RETURNS TO COX & PALMER Former Newfoundland premier Clyde Wells has joined Cox & Palmer as counsel. Wells, who was also formerly chief justice of the province, will work at the firm���s St John���s office. He���ll cover practice areas including construction, corporate governance, energy, financial services, and corporate law. ���This is a very natural fit for me,��� said Wells. ���Cox & Palmer is a top-tier firm with a reputation for providing outstanding legal service.��� Wells graduated from Dalhousie Law School and served as Newfoundland premier from 1989-96. After leaving politics, he joined one of Cox & Palmer���s predecessor firms where he practised for more than two years before becoming a judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. He became chief justice of the province in 1999 and held the position for 10 years until choosing to step down. Wells remained as a supernumerary judge of the appellate court until his full retirement from the bench in November 2012. ���Rejoining the firm I was earlier connected with gives me an opportunity to continue my long-term involvement with the legal profession,��� said Wells. ���I am looking forward to that involvement and hope to make a positive advisory contribution in the process.��� Alexander MacDonald, managing partner of Cox & Palmer���s St. John���s office, said: ���We are delighted to welcome Clyde to our firm. As one of Canada���s highly respected legal minds, he is a valuable addition to our office. ���In his new role as counsel, Clyde���s availability and advice will be a tremendous asset and will further enhance our accomplished team, practice, and client service.��� CONVICTED LAWYER SUSPENDED A Law Society of Upper Canada hearing panel has suspended lawyer Terence John Robinson for two years over an aggravated assault conviction in 2009. As part of the proceedings, Robinson admitted to conduct unbecoming a licensee. ���Prior to resuming practice, the lawyer shall undergo, at his own expense, an independent medical examination and deliver a medical report establishing that he is mentally fit to resume practising,��� the hearing panel ordered. During his two-year suspension, the law society also said Robinson ���shall complete 50 hours of continuing professional development.��� During the proceedings, the panel considered holding a sentencing circle for Robinson, a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation. It rejected that option in part because the suggestion didn���t come from Robinson himself. There was also no evidence he lived on the reserve. As well, the panel doubted whether the Wikwemikong First Nation community would participate in the process. LT A DAILY BLOG OF CANADIAN LEGAL NEWS [ WWW.CANADIANLAWYERMAG.COM/LEGALFEEDS ] LegalFeeds-BB-LT-Apr23-12.indd 1 www.lawtimesnews.com POWERED BY CANADIAN LAWYER & LAW TIMES 12-11-23 9:59 AM

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