Law Times

PAGE 20 WillBuilder Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 doprocess com ntitled-7 1 The Inside Story U OF T LAW PUSHES LLM The University of Toronto Fac- ulty of Law says it is responding to the current economic situa- tion by extending the application deadline for its "prestigious" mas- ter of laws program. The faculty sent out a press re- lease last week, indicating that the deadline will be pushed back to July 31. "There is a lot of renewed interest in our LLM programs right now, perhaps inspired by the economic situation," said Dean Mayo Moran. "Attaining a higher level of legal education is always a great addition to one's career and marketability. We are happy to be able to help lawyers find ways to enhance their skills during these uncertain times." More information about the program is available by e-mailing law.graduate@utoronto.ca. LCO DEBATES ITS ROLE The Law Commission of On- tario hopes to shine some light on what it calls the "perennial is- sue" of how law reform commis- sions can remain independent, while at the same time benefitting governments. "The relationship between any independent law reform body and the government is a complicated one," said LCO executive director Patricia Hughes, in a release. "It requires sensitivity and a realistic understanding of how law reform commissions and governments should relate to each other." The commission will draw on the expertise of New South Wales Law Reform Commis- sion longtime member Michael Tilbury. He will headline a pub- lic lecture, titled "'Win-Win' or 'Who Will Rid Me of this Turbu- lent Priest?' The Relationship Be- tween Law Reform Commissions and Governments." The lecture will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 12 at Osgoode Hall's Convoca- tion Hall. The LCO notes that Tilbury has significant experience pon- dering these issues in balancing the delicate relationship between the government and independent law reform agencies in Australia. The lecture will be followed by a May 13 symposium, also free of charge, where participants are ex- pected to discuss what is involved in law reform, how it should be carried out, and challenges to the initiative. It will be held at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Registration information is available on the LCO's web site, at www.lco-cdo.org. "The Law Commission of Ontario is committed to engag- ing with the community about the nature of law reform," said Hughes. "We can't do law reform in isolation and this symposium is intended to foster dialogue around crucial issues in law re- form with those who should ben- efit from it." LSUC OFFERS FAMILY SUMMIT Family law lawyers will get an in- depth review from senior practi- tioners and academics at the Law Society of Upper Canada's 3rd Annual Family Law Summit, in- cluding the latest developments, practice issues, case law, and legis- lative changes that matter. The continuing legal educa- tion event will be held June 11 and June 12 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the University of Toronto Residence at 89 Chestnut St. in Toronto. Highlights include a day-one keynote address from Attorney General Chris Bentley, who will speak on the issue of "Future Di- rections in Family Law." Day two will include an address from On- tario Court of Justice family law Justice Harvey Brownstone on the topic "Lessons for the Fam- ily Law Bar." Brownstone is the author of the recently released bestseller Tug of War, which aims to help the public better navigate the family court system. Registration is available online at http://ecom.lsuc.on.ca/cle. LT STG_05_LT_BaseBar 8/16/06 8:52 AM Page 1 For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com "Right! Your job is to keep the media out of this one." At Stewart Title, it's how we work that sets us apart. We deal in title insurance and related products, undertaking no part of the transaction that has traditionally fallen to legal professionals. Since our inception into the Canadian market, you will find that we have consistently combined comprehensive coverage with unparalleled support for legal professionals. We are dedicated to streamlining your practice and increasing your revenue through our programs and innovative technology solutions. At Stewart Title, we know it's our relationship with our customers that determines our success. That's why service is the foundation of our business and integrity, the keystone in all our dealings. Contact us today at (888) 667-5151 or visit www.stewart.ca. www.lawtimesnews.com Reinventing the Will www 1/26/09 3:38:37 PM BIG SURPRISE DALLAS — In these times of economic woe, particu- larly if you're in BigLaw in the U.S., it was only a mat- ter of time before a law firm managing partner said these words: "As most law firms are recognizing, starting salaries for new associates that begin at $160,000 just do not make sense." It was Steve Good of the 300-lawyer, Texas-based firm Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, making that sage remark to Above the Law. "It simply makes no sense, and we decided to stop," he said, adding that even in a good economy it actually made no sense. So his firm is cutting first years' salaries to US$145,000, which is not exactly chump change either. Second- year associates will rake in $150,000. Oh, those poor first years! REPLACED FOR NOT GIVING A CRAP MIAMI — She has sat through the trial of six men accused of plotting to destroy the Sears Tower in Chicago and attack FBI offices but when the panel went out to deliberate, one juror just ™ May 11/18, 2009 • Law TiMes Bizarre Briefs By Viola James wasn't having any of it. A jury had been stalled for days until the 11 other jurors asked the court to remove the unco-operative 12th panellist. Judge Joan A. Lenard of Federal District Court said the juror had refused to deliberate and had cast doubt on the law. The juror was replaced with an alternate. Lenard refused to grant a mistrial. Two previous trials for the "Liberty City Six" — named for their inner city neighbour- hood — ended in mistrials when juries could not agree on verdicts. BIRDS IN HIS PANTS LOS ANGELES — It must have been the feathers stick- ing out of his pants that gave him away. Sony Dong, 46, was arrest- ed in March after songbirds were found strapped to his legs at Los Angeles Interna- tional Airport. He was charged last week with smuggling the birds into the U.S. by stashing more than a dozen of them in an elabo- rate, custom-tailored pair of leggings during a flight from Vietnam to Los Angeles. "He had fashioned these special cloth devices to hold the birds," said U.S. attorney spokesman Thom Mrozek. "They were secured by cloth wrappings and attached to his calves with buttons." Perhaps his future lies in bespoke tailoring. DOING IT IN STYLE LONDON, England — Deb- bie Stallard wasn't averse to doing her community service, she just wanted to wear her work boots of choice: black boots with four-inch heels. Probation workers sent her home after she refused to don regulation work boots. It seems it was her willful- ness that got her into trouble in the first place. Stallard, 47, had been sen- tenced to 80 hours of com- munity service after hitting another vehicle and refusing to take a breath test. The mother of two claimed she had a medical condition that meant she couldn't wear flat shoes. Her probation officer Heidi Randle told local magistrates that the high-heeled shoes were a health and safety issue. Stallard told the court: "It's health and safety gone mad. I was made to feel stupid, like I had gone there wearing them deliberately but that is not the case." The case was adjourned until later this month. LT Seen, heard, or been involved in a bizarre brief? Tell Viola James about it at viola.james@gmail. com.

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