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PAGE 16 WillBuilder Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 doprocess com ntitled-7 1 The COMPLAINTS ABOUT LEGAL AID ADVISORY GROUPS Criminal lawyers are accusing the province of planning a major overhaul of the legal aid system without sufficiently consulting defence counsel. In a letter to Legal Aid On- tario and provincial conflict of interest commissioner Justice Sidney Linden, Criminal Law- yers' Association vice president Norman Boxall complained that "everything imaginable is being undertaken to avoid a simple tariff increase." His concerns were echoed in a letter written by Barrie lawyer Thomas Bryson. "The perfunc- tory nature of our participation suggests that our 'advisory' role is more apparent than real." Both letters indicate that law- yers haven't been given the time or information required to mean- ingfully participate in the legal aid advisory committee for major criminal cases, which is examin- ing alternative payment programs and which is scheduled to hold its final meeting in December. But LAO president and CEO Bob Ward says his agency is try- ing to address those concerns. "We're certainly working very hard to assemble that informa- tion under the tight timelines we have," he says. The challenge, he adds, is LAO's goal of making recom- mendations by December "in order to get the money flowing as per the minister's anticipation." NEW BLOG TARGETS LAWYERS' RISKS LawPRO has unveiled a new blog aimed at giving lawyers resources for avoiding malprac- tice claims. Launched last week, AvoidA- Claim includes information on the common causes of claims and provides tips for Ontario firms on how to reduce their risk. Most of the content will be produced by Dan Pinnington, director of practicePRO, a [ Reinventing the Will www 1/26/09 3:38:37 PM Inside Story separate site that also focuses on risk management. The blog can be found at avoidaclaim.com. SENIOR M&A LAWYER JOINS BAKER & MCKENZIE Baker & McKenzie LLP in To- ronto has added James Rossiter, an experienced mergers-and- acquisitions counsel, to its roster. Previously, Rossiter was a senior partner with Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and is well regard- ed for his work in international mergers and acquisitions, secured lending, and tax transactions. LSUC ORDERED TO PAY IGBINOSUN The Law Society of Upper Canada has been ordered to pay $61,000 in legal costs after losing an appeal between it and Matthew Joseal Igbinosun, a Toronto lawyer accused of pro- fessional misconduct. Three women accused Igbino- sun of sexual assault in 1998, but criminal charges were stayed in 2003 because of delay. The LSUC subsequently re- opened its own investigation, af- ter which a hearing panel found him guilty of professional mis- conduct and disbarred him. However, last year the Di- visional Court slammed the law society for its actions in the case, calling them "mystifying" and "inexplicable." By a majority decision, the court deemed that Igbinosun wasn't given sufficient time to prepare for a hearing and that the LSUC should have granted an adjournment application. The court ruled the matter should be sent back to a hear- ing panel. In June, the Ontario Court of Appeal rejected the law society's bid to overturn those findings. Then, it award- ed costs to Igbinosun earlier this month. LT For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com. "You say 'Arrrg' and I say'Ooog'. . . . Perhaps we should negotiate a mutually acceptable compromise position on this matter and you should say 'Ooog' just like me." Keeping real estate transactions where they belong – in your office. ] 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 lawyers/notaries. Since our inception into the Canadian market, you will find that we have consistently combined comprehensive coverage with unparalleled support for lawyers/notaries. 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. THAT'S TWO STRIKES VALLEJO, Calif. — A Cali- fornia man accused of car theft attended court in a vehicle he stole, the California Highway Patrol alleges. According to The Associated Press, Samuel Botchvaroff was arrested after leaving an arraign- ment hearing at the courthouse in Vallejo. He was booked into a Solano County jail on suspi- cion of auto theft and posses- sion of stolen property. Police began looking for the stolen vehicle after its tracking system alerted them to the theft. Police say Botch- varoff told officers he stole the car because his own vehicle was impounded and he had no other way to get to court to face auto theft charges. SHORT SKIRTS BAD, THONG BIKINIS GOOD SAO PAULO, Brazil — A fe- male student expelled from school because her skirt was too short can now return to class. According to Reuters, the turnabout occurred after federal prosecutors in Brazil began looking into the ex- pulsion of 20-year-old Geysi Villa Nova Arruda from the Universidade Bandeirante. The school, in an attempt to explain itself, went as far as ™ November 16, 2009 • Law Times Bizarre Briefs By Viola James taking out an ad in a local newspaper saying it expelled Arruda because of her "incom- patible posture with the atmo- sphere" at the school. The decision, along with a video showing Arruda being hounded by students, prompt- ed debate in a country with a reputation for being conser- vative yet credited with the creation of the thong bikini. Prior to the announcement of the investigation, the school said the protests by students were an act of defiance and that her expulsion was due to her behaviour when she acted pro- vocatively by raising her dress. Arruda denies that claim. "In fact, I was very scared. I was the victim," O Globo news- paper quoted Arruda as saying. "I don't plan to change the way I am or the way I dress." CAN WII PLAY? WINNIPEG, Man. — An allegedly out-of-control 12-year-old has been slapped with an odd bail condition: the surrender of his beloved Nintendo Wii to the court. The preteen was before Judge Marvin Garfinkle because of the boy's alleged bad behav- iour, which includes smashing windows at his school, fighting with classmates, disobeying a court order to stay away from school, and attacking a teacher after a game of dodgeball, ac- cording to the Winnipeg Sun. Despite the allegations, the boy's lawyer said he's just misunderstood. "I know it doesn't look good," Serena Puranen told the paper. "I've never seen him enraged, I've never seen him upset." Garfinkle said the boy is "pledging as a security, akin to a cash deposit, his Nintendo Wii. . . . And if he doesn't comply, he loses it." SURE, PICK ON ME, OFFICER SALEM, Ore. — A man has been arrested for drunk driving after allegedly calling police to report his stolen pot. According to All Headline News, Calvin Hoover, 21, had called police to alert them that someone had broken into his truck while he was at a tavern. Taken from the vehicle were cash, a jacket, and a small amount of marijuana. According to media re- ports, Hoover called police a second time after they didn't respond to his first complaint. Why was there no response? The dispatcher couldn't un- derstand Hoover because he was driving and stopping occasionally to vomit. Authorities arrested the man on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants. Medical marijuana is legal in Oregon, where nearly 21,000 people have permits for its use. It wasn't immediately clear if Hoover had such a permit. LT Call us today at (888) 667-5151 or visit www.stewart.ca. Untitled-8 1 www.lawtimesnews.com 9/8/09 2:43:34 PM