Law Times

PAGE 16 WillBuilder Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 doprocess com ntitled-2 1 The PAIR OF LAWYERS DISBARRED Two Toronto-area lawyers have lost their licences to practise, the Law Society of Upper Canada said last week. Toronto lawyer Edmund An- thony Clarke was found to have engaged in professional miscon- duct for knowingly participat- ing in fraudulent and dishonest conduct in order to induce or attempt to induce mortgagees to approve mortgage loans in fa- vour of his spouse and preparing, delivering or registering falsified or unauthorized documents or instructing others to do so. He must also pay the law society $1,000 in costs. Bradly Johnston Vance of Whitby, Ont., was also disbarred over findings that included fail- ing to promptly respond to the law society regarding four com- plaints. The LSUC also found he had breached an order not to practise law and failed to main- tain the integrity of the profes- sion by advising two clients to sign documents knowing they weren't witnessed in accordance with the requirements. He must pay $7,000 in costs. FMC LOSES FOUNDER Philippe Casgrain, one of the founders of Fraser Milner Cas- grain LLP, has died after losing a battle with cancer. "Mr. Casgrain's career, which began in 1952 at the firm of Ma- gee O'Donnell & Byers where he became a partner in 1958, was a reflection of this charismatic fig- ure, who will remain indelibly engraved in our memories: ener- getic, active, accomplished, strik- ing, and enormously successful," said Claude Morency, managing partner of FMC's Montreal of- fice. "He was one of those people who make an impression wherev- er they go and who are unforget- table. Of course, this is a great loss for the entire legal community, not just for Mr. Casgrain's imme- diate family and our firm." During his career, Casgrain was president of the Junior Bar Association in Montreal and [ Untitled-3 1 Reinventing the Will www Inside Story chairman of the Canadian Bar Association's committee on commercial law for Quebec. He also served on the boards of vari- ous corporations and was active in a number of cultural and social organizations. PANEL ON HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE LAW The Law Society of Upper Can- ada will host a panel of experts today on the issue of assisted human reproductive technolo- gies to celebrate International Women's Day. The panel will discuss the im- pact the 2004 Assisted Human Reproduction Act has had on the social, ethical, and legal questions that arise from the issue. Panellists include infertility counsellor Sherry Dale, fer- tility specialist Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Rachel Epstein of the LGBTQ Parenting Network, and lawyer Kelly Jordan. Au- drey Johnson, executive direc- tor of the Women's Legal Edu- cation and Action Fund, will moderate the discussion. The event will be held at the Donald Lamont Learning Centre in Toronto. Epstein's daughter, Sadie Ep- stein-Fine, will speak following the panel discussion. She'll share her story about being conceived through assisted human reproduc- tion and having two mothers. NEW PARTNERS AT FMC Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP has appointed 10 new partners at its offices across Canada. "Through our commitment to our clients and our people, we encourage and promote talent from within," said firm CEO Chris Pinnington. "These new partners exemplify our firm's ability to provide unparalleled legal excellence." In Toronto, the new hires are James Clare, Matthew Fleming, and Ralph Shay. Other partners will work out of Montreal, Ot- tawa, Edmonton, and Calgary. LT For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com. LegalSTEPS® "Yes indeed! That certainly is an elegant e-reader. But . . . if you don't mind me asking . . . what about all the rest of the letters?" – the conveyancing application designed by you. ] Extensive consultation and testing with real estate law firms have led to an application that streamlines real estate transactions in a logical and intuitive manner. Easily complete real estate documents and order title insurance from one flexible, customizable application. Contact us to book a demo: 1-888-667-5151 www.stewart.ca/legalsteps www.lawtimesnews.com 3/2/10 10:29:50 AM Powered by: ™ March 8, 2010 • Law TiMes Bizarre 2/2/09 10:53:45 AM POLICE SUED OVER FINGER FLAP CLACKAMAS, Ore. — An Oregon man has filed a law- suit against his county police department because, he alleges, officers charged him for retalia- tory reasons after he gave them the finger on two separate occa- sions. According to the Clacka- mas County News, Robert Ekas is suing the Clackamas County sheriff's office and three of its employees seek- ing corrective actions and unspecified damages. Ekas claims police twice pulled him over for retalia- tory reasons after he flipped them off and that the citations violate his first- and fourth- amendment rights to express himself freely. Legal experts say flipping off police isn't against the law. In July 2007, Ekas was pulled over and given a ticket for supposedly making an ille- gal lane change and improper display of his licence plates af- ter he stuck his hand out of his sunroof and gave a police officer driving behind him the middle finger. A month later, he was pulled over again after flipping off another police officer and, after requesting that a supervis- ing officer arrive on the scene, claims he was harassed and in- timidated by both of them. Ekas argues his actions were Briefs By Viola James a political statement and pro- test against police violence. JUDGE DISBARRED OVER SPANKINGS MOBILE, Ala. — Herman Thomas will appeal the Ala- bama State Bar's decision to disbar him after the former judge was accused of spanking defendants with a paddle in his courtroom. Thomas, who is currently running for state senator in Alabama, stepped down as a judge in October 2009 after sexual abuse allegations arose claiming that he had paddled defendants in court. He has since been acquit- ted of the alleged sex crimes. He was, nevertheless, found to have violated 17 profes- sional rules. STATE TO CLEAN POTTY MOUTHS SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California state assembly has passed a resolution call- ing for a statewide Cuss Free Week. The idea is being pushed by assembly member An- thony Portantino, who was inspired by a junior high school student who started a No Cussing Club at his school, according to a report by MSNBC. As a result of the move, California would become a no-swearing zone for a week at the beginning of March each year. The move could create is- sues in Hollywood, however. If the TV show Entourage were reality, for example, it would probably be a good idea for agent Ari Gold to smarten up in order to avoid getting a soapy mouth from state authorities for his terri- bly potty mouth. TV APPEARANCE SENDS MAN BACK TO PRISON LINCOLNTON, N.C. — A North Carolina man might want to act more discreetly after a court found he had violated his probation by making an appearance on the Jerry Springer Show. Richard Peterson, 30, was sentenced to three days in jail for violating his probation after he crossed state lines to appear on the TV show. During the program, he boasted about a one-night stand with a stripper, fought with his girlfriend, and then watched the two duke it out. He then went home with $150 in his pocket. According to the Gaston Gazette, it was his probation officer who noticed Peterson had travelled to Connecti- cut after seeing him on the show. In court, Peterson told the judge the show made him look like an "idiot" and that he was trying to get his life back on track. LT Seen, heard, or been involved in a bizarre brief? Tell Viola James about it at viola.james@gmail. com.

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