Law Times

PAGE 4 NEWS February 8/15, 2010 • Law Times OBA Institute changes venue, timing 2010 event moves to Royal York, most programs on a single day BY ROBERT TODD Law Times T he Ontario Bar Associ- ation Institute this year will continue its run as Canada's largest continuing le- gal education forum, but orga- nizers hope a move back to To- ronto's iconic Royal York Hotel will help attract an even bigger response than usual. Event co-chairman Andrew Pinto, of Toronto's Pinto Wray James LLP, says the move away from the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre will make it easier for attendees to access next week's event via transit. The Royal York, located across the street from Union Station, has a direct connection to TTC subway service and is just a few steps from other regional tran- sit services, he notes. "It's just so centrally located," says Pinto, who encourages early registration. "We think that's a great venue change. We are hoping that will also draw out the last-minute folks that are perhaps downtown or closely connected." Pinto expects this year's con- ference to once again pull in more than 1,000 registrants as well as more than 250 volun- teer lawyers, judges, academics, and other legal specialists help- ing produce 22 different legal education programs. Pinto encourages lawyers to make it out to the conference whether they are new to prac- tice or seasoned veterans. "The one thing that unites all of the various programs is real- ly just keeping up and catching up because the law changes," he says. "It's always a concern when lawyers, like all profession- als, get complacent. We think after several decades in prac- tice, or several years, that we know everything. Well, guess what, there's a new decision or there's just something else. You just have to look at how technology is changing things or international developments can affect what we do." The conference organiz- ers aim to reach lawyers of all levels of experience by offering programs with introductory as well as more advanced content. But one aspect of this year's program that will appeal to all is a keynote address by Dr. Sa- mantha Nutt, the founder of War Child Canada who was recently named to the Order of Ontario. As Pinto notes, her message will have particular resonance in light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, which has prompted a global humanitar- ian response. level and a business level, the immigration lawyers are work- ing on issues, [and] infrastruc- ture lawyers are working on issues." Pinto suggests lawyers will also benefit from the trained physician's experience using her skills on a wide range of issues. "Here is another profes- sional in an allied profession who can speak very well to the importance of keeping up [by] doing multidisciplinary work," says Pinto. Nutt's address, which comes Andrew Pinto hopes a move to the Royal York Hotel will make the 2010 event more accessible. "The situation in Haiti has really crystallized for us how something in a different part of the world, or internationally, can actually affect Canadians," says Pinto. "But also on a legal first on the event's schedule, is likely to motivate and energize attendees before they head off to their specific programs, Pin- to adds. The 2010 event will take place on Feb. 16 with a sepa- rate criminal law program set for Feb. 20 at the OBA Con- ference Centre. Registration is available online at oba.org. Meanwhile, the OBA will continue its tradition of making a donation on behalf of con- ference volunteers to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. LT Terrorist deported BY GLENN KAUTH Law Times Inside you will find: • an up-to-date alphabetical listing of more than 57,000 barristers, solicitors and Quebec notaries, corporate counsel, law firms and judges in Canada; • contact information for the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, Federal Cabinet Ministers, departments, boards, commissions and Crown corporations; • legal and government contact information related to each province for the Courts of Appeal, Supreme Courts, County and District Courts, Provincial Courts, law societies, law schools, Legal Aid, and other law-related offices of importance. More than a phone book Hardbound • Published February each year • On subscription $141 • P/C 0600140999 One-time purchase $157 • P/C 0600010999 • ISSN 0084-8573 CD-ROM • On subscription $214 • P/C 0600260999 One-time purchase $229 • P/C 0600210000 A fter being denied a li- cence to practise law in Ontario, a convicted terrorist was deported to India, where he was imprisoned. Last month, the Law Society of Upper Canada rejected the li- cence application of Parminder Singh Saini, who had been liv- ing in Canada for 15 years. The law society cited Saini's criminal past as evidence that he wasn't of good character. His unresolved immigration status also counted against him. Saini had been fighting his deportation order with immigra- tion officials who had declared him a danger to the public. In 1984, Saini hijacked an Air India passenger flight with 270 people on board. Saini and his accomplices, armed with guns and kirpans, ordered the plane rerouted to Lahore, Pakistan. Saini said he and a militant Sikh organization orchestrated the hijacking to raise awareness of the repression of the Sikh community in India, including the attack on the Golden Temple at Amritsar by the Indian army. He was convicted in India For a 30-day, no risk evaluation call 1.800.565.6967 Canada Law Book is a Division of The Cartwright Group Ltd. Prices subject to change without notice, to applicable taxes and shipping and handling. CanLawList_LT_Feb8/15_10.indd 1 www.lawtimesnews.com 2/3/10 4:35:06 PM and served 10 years in prison before arriving in Canada and seeking asylum. Several Indian media outlets reported that upon arriving in India, Saini was arrested and taken to prison. LT

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