Law Times

PAGE 16 Enabling Lawyers through Technology Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 doprocess com www The Confidential Inside Story SHONIKER DISBARRED Former Crown counsel Peter Shoniker, who was convicted in August 2006 of money laun- dering and theft, has been dis- barred by the Law Society of Upper Canada. A hearing panel cites the con- viction in its reasoning for the June 25 ruling. Shoniker was working as an investment banker when he was caught in 2003 on police wiretaps and later arrested in an RCMP money-laundering sting. He pleaded guilty to the charges, which included one count of laundering $750,000 and one count of stealing $50,000 from an undercover officer. Shoniker's lawyer, Eddie Greenspan, said at the time of the conviction that after leaving his legal career, his client was depressed, drank heavily, and took prescription pills. He was sentenced to 15 months in jail for the crimes. Shoniker received accolades during his career as a prosecutor for his work with child abuse vic- tims. He received character ref- erences from the likes of former Toronto police chief and current OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino and retired Maj.-Gen. Lewis MacKenzie. The wiretap evidence in- cluded remarks from Shoniker that he was immune to such an investigation. "I'm untouchable, untouch- able, untouchable by police," he said. "Not a cop in this country would dare burn me, question my integrity." TRIBUNAL DECISIONS A number of other lawyers also have been reprimanded recently by the law society. Michael John Clayton Hor- do, who was called to the bar in 1989 and practised in Vaughan, was found to have engaged in professional misconduct for fail- ing to treat the tribunal with candour, engaging in sharp practice, and swearing and fil- ing four affidavits containing information he knew or ought to have known were false. Hordo was given 30 days to surrender his licence to practise law, after which time it will be revoked. Peter Poulakis, called to the bar in 1995 and who prac- tised out of Whitby, was found to have engaged in professional misconduct for misappropriat- ing trust funds adding up to nearly $80,000; misleading cli- ents; failing to serve clients in a conscientious, diligent, and effi- cient manner; failing to provide a statement of account to his clients; failing to provide notice of a potential claim to LawPro; and failing to respond to the law society in its investigation of complaints made by clients. Poulakis' licence was revoked. James Stefoff, a Toronto lawyer called to the bar in 1970, was given 30 days to surrender his licence after being found to have engaged in professional misconduct. According to the law society, Stefoff breached a summary order suspending his rights and privileges as a mem- ber of the law society, misled a client by failing to register a trust agreement on title, and failed to produce documents and the books and records for his law practice as requested by an investigator. BIG FIRMS LAND BIG HIRES A pair of major Canadian firms have snagged the services of some big names who are no longer going to be cashing gov- ernment cheques. Heenan Blaikie LLP's Otta- wa office has landed just-retired Supreme Court of Canada justice Michel Bastarache. The New Brunswick native has ex- tensive experience in the insur- ance sector, and the Globe and Mail reports that Bastarache was swayed by the firm's commit- ment to the defense of French- language rights. Meanwhile, the Ottawa of- fice of Gowling Lafleur Hen- derson LLP has hired former chief of defence staff Rick Hillier, who isn't a lawyer but is hoping to ease his way into life in the private sector. The paper speculated that the former soldier will bulk up the firm's stature in the defence industry. LT For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com "Have you ever considered evolving agriculture?" WHICH DIRECTION IS BEST FOR YOU? RainMaker Group 110 Yonge Street, Suite 1101 Toronto, Ontario M5C 1T4 Untitled-7 1 Tel: 416-863-9543 Fax: 416-863-9757 www.rainmakergroup.ca www.lawtimesnews.com 5/29/08 1:05:49 PM TEA AND SYMPATHY FOR THE SOUL TOKYO — When a knife- wielding man attacks you, offer him tea and a chat. It worked for a 30-year-old woman in Tokyo. The woman was walking with her daughter down the hall of her apartment building and was jumped by a man with a knife who demanded she hand over all her cash. She had none and told him so. Not content, the man barged into her apartment looking for some loot. She calmly made tea and started to talk to him. The man shortly put away his knife and gave her a 20-minute monlogue on his life, reports Asahi newspaper. She didn't get away complete- ly though and ended up forking 10,000 yen ($94.25) to the man before he skedaddled. She then ran outside and called the po- lice from a payphone. The thief, however, is still on the lam. TATTLING ON TODDLERS LONDON, England — A British government-sponsored agency has just released a set of guidelines for daycares which advise leaders and teachers to be on the lookout for racist incidents among the babes un- der their care. The National Children's Bureau report warns: "Racist incidents among children in early years settings tend to be around name-calling, casual thoughtless comments and JULY 14/21, 2008 / LAW TIMES Bizarre Briefs By Viola James peer group relationships." Watch out for the use of words like "blackie," "Pakis," "those people," or "they smell," the report adds going on to warn that saying "yuk" to other culture's foods should also be cause for concern. The guide says all such in- stances of "racism" should be reported to their local council, according to The Telegraph. JUDGE SAYS LAWSUIT TOO LONG TACOMA, Wash. — A lawyer who filed a 465-page lawsuit needs an editor. At least that's what a federal judge thinks. Judge Ronald Leighton made use of an old rule that demands a "short and plain statement" of allegations to reign in lawyer Dean Browning Webb's tome. Even the title of his racketeer- ing lawsuit was an incredible eight pages long. Leighton issued his order by limerick: "Plaintiff has a great deal to say, But it seems he skipped rule 8 (a), His complaint is too long, Which renders it wrong, Please rewrite and refile today." SPIRTUAL FALL NOT SO GRACEFUL KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A man who toppled over and hit his head while worshipping in church says he was struck down by the Holy Spirit and God should pay up. Or at least his church should. Matt Lincoln is suing Lakewind Church for $2.5 mil- lion for his medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering arising from a bump on his head suffered while worshipping. He said he's turned to the courts because the church's in- surance company turned him down. He argues that even though he had two surgeries since the June 2007 fall, he still has pain in his legs and back. Lincoln apparently asked God for "real experience" while pray- ing and while he's fallen before in the face of the spirit, someone has always caught him. The church's lawyers say he didn't look out for his own safety. And he was seen laughing afterward. Just not all the way to the bank. 'THIS CAR IS DIRTY!' DALLAS, Tex. — The Dallas police service might consider adding The French Connection to its cadet-training curricu- lum. The new recruits could learn a thing or two about thorough vehicular search from Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle. According to the Associated Press, local cops were up until re- cently unaware that a one of their unmarked cars was loaded with almost 50 pounds of cocaine. The contraband, discovered last week by an officer on carwash detail, was hidden in secret compart- ments of the type Deputy Chief Julian Bernal says "have recently been more and more popular with drug operations." Makes sense — the car, a black 2004 Infiniti, was re- covered from outside a known drug operation earlier this year and later put into active duty. The cocaine's owner has not yet filed a lost-and-found report, so the police will be holding onto the stash for the time being. LT

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