140 Law - Legal Headlines for Friday, May 31, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Friday, May 31, 2013:

• Are Male Lawyers Fashion-Impaired?
• 2013 Law Society Awards ceremony
• Georgina innkeeper’s libel suit against Star starts trial
• Supreme Court of Canada won't hear case on woman who sought identity of her sperm donor father
• Rob Ford video scandal: Getting the tape may pose biggest problem for the mayor: James
• So you designed a law firm: Your survey results
• Microsoft to fix Windows 8 after customer complaints
• U.N. Court Acquits 2 Serbs of War Crimes
• Supervisor, worker, company fined total of $55,000.00 in no-injury equipment-drop case
• Supreme Court denies leave to appeal in overtime class actions
• Bre-X class action settlement approved; investors get fraction of losses
• Deal opens Quebec doors to Ontario lawyers
• Lawyer who slept with family law client in joint retainer battles LSUC suspension bid
• California Senate votes to revoke Boy Scouts tax exempt status
• Steven Skurka: What Brian Burke's Defamation Lawsuit Means For Social Networks
• Morgentaler's fight not finished for abortion movement
• Anthony Smith’s killing was ‘street level stuff,’ not related to Rob Ford video, sources say
• The Perils of Social Media for Judges
• lawTechCamp seeks to bring lawyers into the 21st Century
• Wynne says province could intervene if Rob Ford situation deteriorates - Globe and Mail
• Ontario Court of Appeal refuses to dismiss $50 billion tobacco lawsuit | CTV Toronto News
• Ikea monkey case ‘not about who loves Darwin the most’
• Burke wins right to serve anonymous commenters online (NBC Sports)
• Rob Ford crack video scandal: More staff quit mayor’s office
• Claimed scheme to overbill client by $1M results in criminal case against lawyer and office manager

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

"But I Still Really Wanna Be a Fireman..."

Did your mama always want you to become a lawyer?

Well, according to a survey conducted by Lawyers.com, those kinds of parental inclinations probably haven't changed much. Parents of the world still see a bright future for their children in the legal profession:

• 64% of survey respondents with children in the household want their child to become a lawyer. 

• Moms (55%) are more likely to be interested in having a lawyer as a son- or daughter-in-law than dads (38%).

•  80% of parents with household incomes of less than $25,000 per year said they’d like their child to become a lawyer, versus 54% of those with household incomes over $75,000.

Despite all the bad press out there on declining opportunities in the legal sector, it's somehow reassuring to know that the naysayers are having only limited impact on the parental pressure sector.

Of course, the survey probably didn't ask parents if they want their kids to become rock and roll stars...

So kids of the world, decide for yourselves.

But truth be told, law is a pretty good gig. Still.  Always.

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

eCourts in Canada

My post @SlawTips today looks at the calls for technological modernization of Canada's court system.

It may seem like equal parts pipe dream and unscheduled inevitability, but in the context of an acknowledged access to justice crisis in Canada, the call for technological modernization of our nation`s courts seems to be approaching critical mass. 

What will this brave new future look like? How can we ready our practices?

What are the likely features and implications of the eCourts of this possible, not-to-distant future? Assuming that it's not all just science fiction and that these changes really are coming, how can we begin to adapt and prepare - and advocate - for the innovations that may soon be upon us?

Frankly, I was probaby a bit nicer about this topic in my SlawTips post than I needed to be - but Slaw (except for Mitch) is a much nicer place than Wise Law Blog, after all.

To pull fewer punches, the delay in implementing these changes is inexcusable and embarrassing.  This is not rocket science.  All the necessary technologies exist and have existed for quite some time. Many American jurisdictions already have eCourt systems in place. Some Canadian courts, like the Supreme Court of Canada, are already well on the way in this regard.  Other Ontario government services like land registry, corporate registration and corporate search are fully digitized and online.  Yet these long-overdue civil justice reforms, despite numerous starts and stops over the last decade-plus, haven't moved forward an inch.

The systematic failure to achieve digital court reform continues to be a direct cause of unnecessary litigation delays, lost and misplaced documents at courthouses and intolerable environmental waste.  It makes the lives of lawyers, litigants, judges and all "stakeholders" (a word I'd like to banish from the English language) more difficult and stressful.  And it continues to cost our clients money they can't afford.

The time for change is now.

For more, see: eCourts: Prepare for Change

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Thursday, May 30, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Thursday, May 30, 2013:

• Online legal notice through message board unprecedented in B.C.: lawyers for former Leafs GM Brian Burke
• Could Mayor Ford be forced out of office? Legally, no | CTV News
• Ashley Smith inquest: Lawyer for teen’s family calls guards’ orders “reckless”
• Florida courthouse to be site of America's first atheist monument on government property
• This week at the SCC (24/05/2013) - Lexology
• Transitioning gender in the workplace and human rights
• Privacy Commissioner of Canada recommends updates to PIPEDA
• What is the scope of confidentiality included in the solicitor-client privilege
• CRTC slaps robocall fines on Alberta MP, Wildrose Party
• Henry Morgentaler, Abortion Doctor in Canada, Dies at 90
• Mayor-Ford-cum-Crack-cum-Murder Update
• Rob Ford's IT Geeks Refuse to Cover Up the Crack Video Email Records

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Wednesday, May 29, 2013:

• Wal-Mart to Pay $81.6M for Illegal Waste Disposal
• Insubordinate’ Articling Student Dismissed For Cause
• Judge faces ethics case, is accused of making independent investigation before ruling
• Toronto G20 trial: Police officer Glenn Weddell denies assaulting bystander | Toronto Star
• Advice to Lawyers (Which Seems Surprisingly Necessary): Don’t Use Vulgarities in Court
• Unsuccessful lawsuit by condo owner - the cost implications - Lexology
• New Jack Toronto | TPM Editors Blog
• Man accused of hacking FBI pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges
• U.S. shuts down digital currency service Liberty Reserve in money laundering probe
• Court saves Japanese teen who ran up $54,000 bar tab on dad’s credit card
• Brian Burke wants to serve anonymous commenters via private message | ProHockeyTalk
• Stephen Harper turns aside demands for public hearings on Mike Duffy affair
• Trayvon Martin text messages, info barred from trial
• Ashley Smith inquest: Prison manager says top brass initiated order on when to enter teen’s cell
• Probe urged into senator's role in offshore account
• Gawker editor debates publishing Rob Ford crack allegations
• Kellogg fined $4M for false Mini Wheats advertising

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140Law - Legal Headlines for Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Tuesday, May 28, 2013:

• Crowdsourcing your views for upcoming #lawTechCamp talk: What is the top priority improvement required in Ontario court technology?
• Gawker hits $200,000 fundraising goal to buy alleged Ford crack video
• There is Another Copy Of The Rob Ford Tape
• Public defenders can reject cases because of excessive workloads, Florida's state supreme court rules
• Life after reinstatement
• Woman could be fired while on maternity leave due to corporate reorg,Canada Labour Code adjudicator rules
• Accused Toronto G20 officer to testify at assault trial
• Star: Ford’s office knew where crack tape video was filmed
• Conflict shakes Peace Bridge relationship between U.S. and Canada
• Lawyer awarded $5000 by OHRT for age discrimination by Canadian legal publisher - Law Times
• Owner of demolished Queen St. E. heritage building faces charges, insists he had proper permits
• Rob Ford video scandal: Mayor’s two communications aides resign
• Ceiling from Law Society of Upper Canada building (photo)
• Mayor Rob Ford sorry for 'maggots' remark (CNN)
• Toronto criminal law firm sued for $1.5M in wrongful dismissal action as just-cause defence withdrawn
• Law Society Awards 2013 | LSUC Gazette
• Do You Know What It Takes to Be a Law Firm Leader?
• Mayor Rob Ford’s popularity unaffected by drug allegations and denials, poll finds
• The Ford scandal: video that “doesn’t exist” now linked to a homicide
• You must get permission to use photos for commercial purposes
• Lawyers, activists to fight police ‘carding’ in court
• Big law firms think small to nurture startups
• Original owner of Toronto mayor’s alleged ‘crack’ video may have been killed
• Trayvon Martin text messages released

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Monday, May 27, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Monday, May 27, 2013:

• F.T.C. Is Said to Have Begun a New Inquiry on Google
• Who's to blame for juror no-shows: 'Sad generation' or broken system?
• Dewey’s bankruptcy lawyer: More large law firms will fail (video)
• G20 police officer in Toronto court today on assault charges
• Unjust justice: Still no aboriginal court in Manitoba - via Winnipeg Free Press
• Climate activist’s book claims Conservatives tried to silence her
• News Release: Visit Osgoode Hall during Doors Open Toronto
• When the Ford jokes stop - Winnipeg Free Press
• Required reading for lawyers-to-be and recent grads alike.
• Kathleen Wynne says province has no plans to intervene over Ford controversy
• Illinois judge charged with heroin, gun possession as feds probe colleague's cocaine death
• Supreme Court OK with B.C. judge who copied one side's submissions in ruling
• Doug Ford repeatedly denies fresh drug-related allegations in published report
• Jury foreman says life or death decision unfair
• "Robocalls": the judge was not amused
• Globe investigation: The Ford family’s history with drug dealing
• Novelties: Estate Planning Is Important for Your Online Assets, Too
• Google defends listing extremist sites: Legal information will be indexed
• UA, ASU boards opt out of Arkansas campus gun law
• Rob Ford video questions linger after denial
• Federal Judge Finds Violations of Rights by Sheriff Joe Arpaio

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Leading Legal Headlines for Friday, May 24, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Friday, May 24, 2013:

• Design your own law firm: A Law21 lawyer survey - Law21
• Toronto terror plot: Suspect asks for defence lawyer who is guided by ‘holy book’
• Sold out LSUC conference focuses on technology
• Is newly appointed DC Circuit judge Srinivasan destined for SCOTUS?
• What law firms should know about cyberattacks and the FBI
• Rob Ford crack scandal: Gawker’s ‘Crackstarter’ campaign hits snag as it nears $200,000 goal, editor says
• George Zimmerman: Continuance, Sanctions and Gag Order Sought
• Toronto mayor fired chief of staff for telling him to 'go away and get help' - Toronto - CBC News
• Alleged Ford crack video seller not responding to calls

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Thursday, May 23, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Thursday, May 23, 2013:

• REMINDER: Toronto Law Blogger Meetup: Thursday May 23, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at P.J. O'Brien's Irish Pub, 39 Colborne Street, Toronto.
• Practicing Courage (Slaw)
• Law Society Awards 2013
• Rob Ford fired as Don Bosco Eagles football coach
• Texas mother blocked from living with lesbian partner over morality clause in divorce papers
• Parties in Penn. slip-and-fall case ordered to hire neutral expert to probe plaintiff’s Facebook page
• Germans gear up for autobahn speed limit debate
• Rob Ford crack scandal: As the world gawks, Toronto police wait and watch
• Kim Dotcom threatens to sue Twitter, Google and Facebook over "double authentication" patent infringement
• Breach of confidentiality may be cause for termination
• Are smartphones computer systems under the Criminal Code? R v Cockell
• Suspended and facing ethics case, Alabama judge blames president jurist, claims she rebuffed advances
• Urban Dictionary Finds Place in the Courtroom - NY Times
• Trial ends as judge determines whether NYPD’s ‘stop and frisk’ policy is unconstitutional
• Convicted of murdering ex-client, lawyer is fighting attorney disciplinary petition
• Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations
• Court rules bin Laden death photos can stay secret (David Ingram/Reuters)

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

Toronto Law Blogger Meetup: Thursday May 23, 2013

Hello again, Toronto law bloggers, tweeters, and other related enterprises and entities throughout this great nation! 

As discussed on Twitter, the next Toronto Law Blogger Meetup will be this Thursday May 23, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at P.J. O'Brien's Irish Pub, 39 Colborne Street, Toronto. 

A special welcome to those who will coming after the participating in the LSUC Solo and Small Firm Conference.   While I was hoping that there might also be a hockey component to this event, unfortunately, due to unforeseen problems in the third period last Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs won’t be able to join us. 

Please let me know if you are planning to attend, so we can arrange reservations. 

 I`d also like to mention the upcoming LawTechCamp un-conference on Saturday June 8.   I had a blast participating in 2012.  Here`s this year`s program schedule, so have a look and do register ASAP.

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Wednesday, May 22, 2013:

• Suspended and facing ethics case, Alabama judge blames president jurist, claims she rebuffed advances
• Are smartphones computer systems under the Criminal Code? R v Cockell
• Urban Dictionary Finds Place in the Courtroom - NY Times
• Trial ends as judge determines whether NYPD’s ‘stop and frisk’ policy is unconstitutional
• Convicted of murdering ex-client, lawyer is fighting attorney disciplinary petition
• Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations 
• Court rules bin Laden death photos can stay secret (David Ingram/Reuters)
• Michael Bryant calls the casino industry's bluff - Macleans.ca
• Brian Burke’s defamation power play
• Appeals Court Strikes Down Arizona’s Abortion Law
• NYPD detective allegedly hacked 40 email accounts to spy on ex-girlfriend
• Judge’s Facebook friendship didn’t indicate bias, state appellate court rules
• Jon Stewart mocks eccentric crack-smoking Toronto mayor Rob Ford
• ACLU condemns prosecution of Florida teen over lesbian relationship
• N.S, Judge scolds 'flabby, sad generation' for skipping jury duty
• Aboriginal woman settles lawsuit over 3½ years solitary confinement
• Gawker Editor John Cook Details What He Saw On Rob Ford Tape (VIDEO)

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Tuesday, May 21, 2013:

• Shopping for a Divorce Lawyer: One Size Doesn't Fit All - Huffington Post (blog)
• Avoid the Unintentional Expansion of Retainers
• Emergency repairs for a broken justice system | therecord
• Former Prosecutor (Now Judge) Arrested and Charged for Past Prosecutorial Misconduct
• Women should be among lead lawyers in IUD case, federal judge says
• Set Your Co-worker On Fire? It May Not Be Cause For Dismissal - Mondaq News Alerts (registration)
• Judge denies defense motion to withdraw during penalty phase in Arias case
• LSUC hearings consider alternatives to disciplining lawyers with mental-health issues | Law Times
• US Supreme Court to rule on Christian prayers at government meetings
• Harper chief of staff resigns amid Senate expense scandal
• 2013 LawTechCamp
• Jury gets first glimpse of defence in Jackson wrongful death case
• Florida teen fights expulsion and criminal charges for same sex relationship - West Palm Beach Top News
• French president signs gay marriage into law
• Rakofsky Versus The Internet: Advantage, Internet | Popehat
• Simple Justice: Rakofsky v. Internet: Case Dismissed
• The Corporate-Friendly US Supreme Court
• Colorado Sheriffs file Second Amendment lawsuit against anti-gun bills
• Fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published
• Rob Ford: 42 remarkable moments from Toronto mayor’s career
• Duty to Mitigate Includes Obligation to Accept Recall from Layoff
• Pregnant Canadian women sue over faulty birth control pills
• A Cautionary Tale for Young Lawyers
• Lawyer says RCMP refuses to mediate harassment suit
• 20 Things Worth Knowing About Rob Ford -- NY Daily Intelligencer
• Toronto Mayor Is Accused of Using Cocaine - NY Times
• Private counsel appointed for children in Ontario mobility case?

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Friday, May 17, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Friday, May 17, 2013:

• Supreme Court to rule on case of mom charged with abandonment who left newborn baby in Walmart toilet
• Florida teen won’t be criminally charged over exploding water bottle she called a science project fail
• LulzSec hackers get 20-32 month sentences for hacking Sony Pictures, CIA
• Arkansas Ordered to Face Lawsuit Challenging Abortion Law (Bloomberg)
• John Edwards reactivates law license; to speak at lawyers’ event a year after corruption trial
• Guard testifies he raised concern about prison rules regarding Ashley Smith
• Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in 'crack cocaine' video scandal
• Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoked crack cocaine in a video, U.S. website alleges
• Liability Shocker: A Rare Truce on Medical Malpractice Suits
• Mexican court tosses $2.7 billion penalty in Yahoo! Yellow pages case
• Mexican court tosses $2.7 billion penalty in Yahoo! case
• US Attorney General Eric Holder endorses warrants for e-mail. It’s about time
• My Post @SlawTips today: Dropbox and the Paperless Office on Steroids

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Thursday, May 16, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Thursday, May 16, 2013:

• Contracting out of the Limitations Act — the Ontario Court of Appeal provides guidance
• Justice Canada 2013 Victims of Crime Research Digest
• Putting LawPro fraud posts in perspective: A new monthly summary
• Judge scolds Trump, attorney during heated testimony at Chicago tria
• Report: The IRS also targeted at least three liberal groups
• Oregon baker in legal peril after her refuses to make cake for same sex wedding
• Federal Judiciary Asks White House for Emergency Funds
• O.J. Simpson Testifies in Bid for New Trial
• New Harvard Booklet on Citizen Journalism Law in Massachusetts
• As Goes Access to Law School, So Goes Access to Justice – Part I
• Ariel Castro to plead not guilty to kidnapping, rape
• Employee undergoing sex change gets $22,000 in human rights case
• Minnesota governor signs same-sex marriage bill into law
• Ontario Court Dismisses "Speculative" Challenge To A Prospective Wind Turbine Project
• Sex-reassignment surgery of infant in state’s care violated due process, adoptive parents allege
• Toronto food cart fight: Guerrilla fruit stand challenges restrictive bylaws
• Osgoode graduate finally deemed of “good character” to practise law
• Chief legal officers not so spooked about social media risk
• No death penalty for convicted Philadelphia abortion doctor in exchange for abandoned appeal rights
• Law schools should mostly ditch C grades, law prof argues
• Detainee’s Release in Doubt, Lawyers Seek Order by Judge
• Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and personal email accounts: When can employers use as evidence in court

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

140 Law - Legal Headlines for Wednesday May 15, 2013

Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Wednesday May 15, 2013:

• That hockey game will haunt me until the day I die...via Joffrey Lupul
• Racial profiling: Toronto Police settle human rights complaint with man who was pulled over
• Toronto Mayor Rob Ford bolts from meeting to put fridge magnets on cars
• Clevland kidnappings: Ariel Castro will plead not guilty
• Toronto man faces 21 charges after accidentally shooting himself in the leg and claiming he was a victim of a drive-by
• Verifying that emails are received - SLAW
• What's Hot on CanLII - SLAW
• Chief legal officers not so spooked about social media risk
• No death penalty for convicted Philadelphia abortion doctor in exchange for abandoned appeal rights
• Law schools should mostly ditch C grades, law prof argues
• Detainee’s Release in Doubt, Lawyers Seek Order by Judge
• Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and personal email accounts: When can employers use as evidence in court
• Ashley Smith inquiry: Psychiatrist says she was unaware teen was given injections without consent
• LAWPRO Magazine archives: Lawyers on client boards- Handle with care!
• In AP surveillance case, the real scandal is what’s legal
• Top Brazilian court rules that there is no legal reason to deny same sex couples marriage licenses
• Judge Lays the Benchslap on ‘Dangerous’ Cop
• Justice Dept. Opens Criminal Inquiry Into I.R.S. Audits
• 3 arrested on prostitution, drug charges at NJ seniors home'
• Justice Department defends AP phone subpoenas
• Law clerk of 28 years diverted $3M from Toronto real estate lawyer, authorities say
• Criminal charges considered after 2,000-year-old Mayan pyramid in Belize destroyed by construction crew
• Minnesota senate approves same-sex marriage bill
• U.S. government seeks to delay ‘morning-after pill’ court ruling
• Mediating at a Distance: Will We Embrace the Challenge of Technology?
• Under sweeping subpoenas, Justice Department obtained AP phone records in leak investigation
• Lawyer sanctions in Minnesota could set record; is economy a factor?
• Court urged to reject Jackson doctor's appeal

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net