17.05.2015 Views

E-Brief Sept - Oct - The Advocates' Society

E-Brief Sept - Oct - The Advocates' Society

E-Brief Sept - Oct - The Advocates' Society

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’<br />

E-<strong>Brief</strong><br />

Vol. 17, No. 1, Summer 2005<br />

<br />

Proud sponsor of<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong><br />

events & programs.<br />

www.pwc.com/ca/dai<br />

Loving Advocacy<br />

By Linda Rothstein<br />

Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP<br />

My partner in law and life is forever telling me<br />

that lawyers do not like to talk about their feelings.<br />

I think he means male lawyers mostly,<br />

but surely times have changed. Surely we<br />

advocates can ask ourselves how we feel<br />

about what we spend so much time doing.<br />

I am flipping through my copy of Learned<br />

Friends, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong>'s tribute to 50<br />

remarkable advocates, trying to decide whether<br />

to stuff it in the book bag bound for the cottage.<br />

I am struck by author Jack Batten's narrative<br />

thread: the unspoken but powerful truth that<br />

ties these advocates' stories together -- they all<br />

loved advocacy.<br />

Linda Rothstein<br />

It makes sense. <strong>The</strong>y had lots of trials and thus<br />

lots of opportunity to wear a gown, often a Q.C.<br />

gown at that. I can't be the only one who has<br />

noticed how much advocates relish carting a gown bag around, slinging it over their<br />

shoulder in a way that conveys a kind of "just another day at the office" nonchalance,<br />

or simply parading around the office in vest and dickey, hoping partners and colleagues<br />

will notice that the courthouse beckons. We love that about advocacy still.<br />

But as adjudication has dispersed to a wide range of no-gown-required venues, and<br />

as trials disappear, the opportunities to "cut a fine figure in the courtroom" as Batten<br />

tells us did John Malcolm Robb, are on the wane.<br />

Batten recounts that many of these remarkable advocates worked on intuition in the<br />

courtroom; how they depended on intellectual inspiration. Apparently, Terry Murphy<br />

could "run a defence from the notes he made on a lined flap in a package of Players<br />

cigarettes." Even to lifelong non-smokers, it is easy to see how much fun that would<br />

have been. David Humphrey was so relaxed he read Harley-Davidson magazines in<br />

court until the eureka moment struck him.<br />

Although intuition and inspiration still guide our great advocates, for most of us, the<br />

tedious trudge through voluminous document briefs, often dull expert reports, endlessly-detailed<br />

chronologies and micro font facta masquerading as 30 pages too often<br />

(Continued on page 2)<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> expresses its gratitude to immediate past president<br />

Benjamin Zarnett of Goodmans LLP, and welcomes its new president,<br />

Linda Rothstein of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> E-<strong>Brief</strong><br />

A publication of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />

“<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ E-<strong>Brief</strong>” is intended to<br />

be a forum in which members of <strong>The</strong><br />

<strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong> can communicate<br />

with the board of directors and with each<br />

other. Submissions on subjects that are<br />

of widespread interest to the membership<br />

are welcome. Please contact the Editor:<br />

Sonia Holiad<br />

Director of Marketing & Communications<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong><br />

2020 - 438 University Avenue<br />

Toronto, ON M5G 2K8<br />

Tel: 416-597-0243 x.112<br />

Fax: 416-597-1588<br />

E-mail: sonia@advocates.ca<br />

Web site: www.advocates.ca<br />

For advertising information, please contact<br />

Middleton & Associates, 1-800-710-<br />

9396 or middletn@interlog.com<br />

Change of address notices may be forwarded<br />

to <strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> at the<br />

address above.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ E-<strong>Brief</strong>” is published periodically<br />

in electronic format, distributed to members of<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong>, and posted to our web<br />

site. Opinions expressed within are not necessarily<br />

those of the <strong>Society</strong>, and the publication<br />

of advertisements does not imply endorsement.<br />

Contents may not be reproduced without written<br />

permission.<br />

In This Issue<br />

Techno-talk: Managing E-mails . . .4<br />

New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5, 8<br />

End of Term Dinner . . . . . . . . . . .6-7<br />

Who’s Doing What . . . . . . . . . . . . .8<br />

Pleadings: Less is More . . . . . . . .9<br />

Of Medals and Honours. . . . . . . . 11<br />

Know Where to Draw the Line. . . 14<br />

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . .16<br />

SWCF Lottery Winners. . . . . . . . .17<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005<br />

1


(Continued from page 1)<br />

kicks the pure creativity out of our most persuasive efforts. We strive for studied, well-crafted, thorough and precise, and consider<br />

those accolades.<br />

Batten continues. <strong>The</strong>re were the great scholars of the law: the advocates who loved the work of sculpting a Byzantine area of<br />

jurisprudence into a great modernist expression of pure line and logic. Say, Ian Scott arguing for an individual's right to be heard in<br />

administrative proceedings, or Bud Estey developing the law of copyrighted music.<br />

I know our colleagues in the criminal bar still argue law in every case, still find lots of opportunity to move the law, to reform it, no<br />

doubt to create it. But for most civil litigation working stiffs, we must be satisfied with the opportunity to give the law a tweak here<br />

and there, before telling our clients that the costs of an appeal outweigh the likelihood of success.<br />

Which begs the question I was asked by two young advocates at the end of one of the <strong>Society</strong>'s mentoring dinners. "You're so<br />

enthusiastic," they said. "Do you really love advocacy? What's to love?"<br />

I do love advocacy. Not all the time, of course, and not very much during the murky child-rearing years during which almost everything<br />

felt like a burden or a failure, and home life and work life were mostly warring partners. And I doubt that I love advocacy as<br />

much as some of my predecessors (past presidents of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong>) who never seemed to tire of it or long for a beach<br />

vacation or a sabbatical in Tuscany. It's not all-consuming, the way I imagine it was for the greats of the past.<br />

Of course winning is as seductive as ever, whatever the win. Lucrative or modest, just or unjust, few advocates can resist a victory<br />

lap or clenched fist or gleeful yelp. I suspect our ranks are filled with highly competitive closet athletes who mostly love the game of<br />

litigation and who secretly (or not so secretly) keep tally of their batting average along with their month-end billable hours.<br />

<strong>The</strong> exhilaration of the daring and damning cross-examination is obviously addictive, but, more mythical than real. Instead, whether<br />

I look backward or forward, I'm inspired by advocacy's little victories: the examination-in-chief that unfolds with the panic-stricken<br />

witness actually talking to the judge in sensible sentences and paragraphs, thanks to questions that gently nudge the story forward<br />

to its compelling conclusion; the expert witnesses -- many of them disappointing, some of them the most interesting people I've<br />

(Continued on page 3)<br />

Need credible expert testimony?<br />

You want us on your team.*<br />

As experienced professionals in investigative and forensic accounting,<br />

business valuations, computer forensics, litigation support and<br />

insurance claims, we objectively analyze complex financial matters and<br />

testify to our findings in court. A truly global organization with member<br />

firms in 139 countries, we invite you to connect with our partners to<br />

discuss your unique issues.<br />

Jim Forbes 905 972 4105<br />

Ken Goodwin 416 814 5760<br />

Steve Henderson 416 941 8328<br />

Ron Jackson 613 755 4343<br />

Kristian Knibutat 416 815 5083<br />

Helen Mallovy Hicks 416 814 5739<br />

Wesley Mark 416 814 5877<br />

Bob Martin<br />

John Seigel<br />

Kas Rehman<br />

Peter Vakof<br />

416 941 8306<br />

416 815 5087<br />

613 755 4328<br />

416 814 5841<br />

Bruce Webster 416 815 5250<br />

Bruce Webster 519 640 8009<br />

*connectedthinking<br />

<br />

© 2005 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Canada. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Canada, an Ontario limited liability<br />

partnership, or, as the context requires, the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate<br />

and independent legal entity. *connectedthinking is a trademark of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.<br />

2<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />

2005 - 2006<br />

EXECUTIVE<br />

Linda Rothstein, LSM, President<br />

Michael E. Barrack,<br />

First Vice-president<br />

Michael Eizenga,<br />

Second Vice-president<br />

Peter J.E. Cronyn, Treasurer<br />

Sandra A. Forbes, Secretary<br />

DIRECTORS<br />

Raj Anand, LSM<br />

Stephen Bale<br />

Robert Bell<br />

Jack Braithwaite<br />

David M. Brown<br />

Fay K. Brunning<br />

Clare E. Burns<br />

John E. Callaghan<br />

Domenic A. Crolla<br />

William D. Dunlop<br />

Stephen E. Firestone<br />

Paul J. French<br />

Peter H. Griffin<br />

Barbara Grossman<br />

Marie T. Henein<br />

Jessica A. Kimmel<br />

Alfred M. Kwinter<br />

Mark D. Lerner<br />

Shirley D. Linton<br />

Alan H. Mark<br />

Barbara A. McIsaac, Q.C.<br />

Wendy L. Miller<br />

Paul F. Monahan<br />

Kimberly T. Morris<br />

David S. Morritt<br />

Patrick J. Murphy<br />

Michael A. Penny<br />

Brian J. Saunders<br />

James Scarfone<br />

Paul B. Schabas<br />

Jonathan Stainsby<br />

Karen A. Thompson<br />

Bonnie A. Tough<br />

Margaret L. Waddell<br />

Peter C. Wardle<br />

Stephen J. Wojciechowski<br />

Johanna Braden, Ex Officio<br />

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR<br />

Alexandra M. Chyczij<br />

DIRECTOR of EDUCATION<br />

Jessica Grant<br />

DIRECTOR of MARKETING and<br />

COMMUNICATIONS<br />

Sonia Holiad<br />

(Continued from page 2)<br />

ever met -- who patiently teach us more about science or technology or human psychology<br />

than we could learn in an undergraduate course; the reluctant witness who<br />

agrees our client was shafted and is prepared, subpoena in hand, to tell the tribunal<br />

so. Or there's the moment when you connect with the judge, the jury, or the panel,<br />

and your words, your logic, your voice, or who knows what miraculous combination,<br />

convince them of the justness of your client's cause.<br />

Yes, defeat is tough, sometimes crushing. Clients are frequently unlovable. But win,<br />

lose or settle, there is almost always this to love about advocacy: the endless wonder<br />

of walking a mile in someone else's shoes.<br />

By the way, I loved Learned Friends, as will you, but it doesn't qualify as a beach<br />

read. Grab something else that will carry you away in the hot August sun and enjoy<br />

the summer.<br />

Thank You and Best Wishes to our<br />

Outgoing Directors<br />

Kevin R. Aalto • Paul J.J. Cavalluzzo<br />

Elizabeth Cummins Seto • Brian A. Foster<br />

Julie K. Hannaford • George B. Kilpatrick<br />

Wendy Matheson • J. Patrick Moore<br />

Barbara J. Murchie • Allan Sternberg<br />

and<br />

Paul H. Le Vay, ex officio<br />

the Managing Editor of the Journal, who is stepping down after<br />

a decade of service.<br />

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY<br />

Patents<br />

Trade-marks<br />

Trade Secrets<br />

Industrial Design<br />

Packaging & Labelling<br />

Litigation<br />

Licensing<br />

Copyright<br />

Product Liability<br />

Technology Transfer<br />

SIM, HUGHES, ASHTON & MCKAY LLP<br />

Barristers & Solicitors<br />

330 University Avenue<br />

6 th Floor<br />

Toronto, Ontario<br />

Canada M5G 1R7<br />

SIM & MCBURNEY<br />

Patent & Trade-mark Agents<br />

P. (416) 595-1155<br />

F. (416) 595-1163<br />

www.sim-hughes.com www.sim-mcburney.com<br />

mailsim@sim-hughes.com mailsim@sim-mcburney.com<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005<br />

3


Welcome to Our<br />

New Members<br />

Associate<br />

Stephen Pitel,<br />

University of Western Ontario<br />

Government<br />

Alexandra K. Brown,<br />

Department of Justice<br />

Mary C. O'Donoghue<br />

Information & Privacy Commissioner<br />

Intermediate<br />

Afshan Ali, Torys LLP<br />

Lisa C. Alleyne, Lerners LLP<br />

Kyle Armagon, Walker, Head<br />

Oneal Banerjee,<br />

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP<br />

Matthew Biderman,<br />

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP<br />

Howard R. Blitstein,<br />

Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP<br />

Melanie L. Breen,<br />

Regan Desjardins LLP<br />

Patrizia I. Bruzio, Aird & Berlis<br />

Raquel Chisholm,<br />

Emond, Harnden LLP<br />

Barnali Choudhury, Wardle Daley LLP<br />

Mark E. Davis, Heenan Blaikie LLP<br />

Rinku Deswal, Bersenas Jacobsen<br />

Chouest Thomson Blackburn LLP<br />

Bindu Dhaliwal,<br />

Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP<br />

Katherine Di Tomaso,<br />

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP<br />

Kammy Digambar, McCague,<br />

Peacock, Borlack, McInnis & Lloyd LLP<br />

Brad Elberg, Heenan Blaikie LLP<br />

Jennifer Fairfax,<br />

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP<br />

Madeline R. Ferreira,<br />

Shibley, Righton LLP<br />

Michael Foulds, McCague, Peacock,<br />

Borlack, McInnis & Lloyd LLP<br />

Stephanie Fraser, Aird & Berlis<br />

Sal Guzzo, Fireman Barristers LLP<br />

<strong>The</strong>resa M. Hartley, McCague,<br />

Peacock, Borlack, McInnis & Lloyd LLP<br />

Lisa Holland, Sokoloff and Associates<br />

William J. Jesseau,<br />

Lawson McGrenere LLP<br />

Charlotte Kanya-Forstner,<br />

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<br />

Melissa Kehrer, Beard, Winter LLP<br />

Kerri Knudsen, Adair Morse LLP<br />

Continued on page 5...<br />

TECHNO-TALK: Send Fewer E-mails,<br />

and Help Save World Productivity<br />

By Dan Pinnington,<br />

Director, practicePRO, LAWPRO<br />

E-mail is an essential tool for clients, lawyers and<br />

law office staff alike. It allows easy and virtually<br />

instant exchanges of information and, for many,<br />

has become a preferred way of communicating. In<br />

North America alone, tens of billions of e-mail messages<br />

are sent every day. That's not a typo - read<br />

“b” for billions. All those messages end up in e-mail<br />

inboxes, including yours and mine. As a result, we<br />

all are trying desperately to cope with the amount<br />

of e-mail we are receiving. If it gets much worse,<br />

the Internet may grind to a halt.<br />

Time to think globally and act locally<br />

Dan Pinnington<br />

If every member of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong> sent<br />

one less message each business day, that would be almost one million fewer e-<br />

mails over the next year. Amazing! We all have a tendency to send and reply to e-<br />

mail messages when it is not absolutely necessary. E-mails are just so darn easy to<br />

create and send. It’s time to put some thought into what has become an almost<br />

thoughtless task.<br />

Stop Loading Up Those Address Lines<br />

Lets start with the “To:” line. Don't just slam a bunch of names in there. Ask yourself<br />

who really needs to get the message. Include those names, and leave the rest out.<br />

Next up: the carbon copy or "CC" line. It is intended to be helpful, but can actually be<br />

quite dangerous. We all start with good intentions and start adding names, sometimes<br />

for reasons that are somewhat unrelated to the actual message. Gotta show<br />

the senior partner I’m working on her file. Gotta show the boss I'm working on a<br />

Saturday. Resist the temptation! If they aren't on the “To:” line already, it probably<br />

means something. Ask yourself who really needs to be CC'd on this message.<br />

Include those names, and leave the rest out.<br />

<strong>The</strong> next target: "Reply-to-all." It does make it dead easy to reply to everyone that<br />

got the original message, but don't use reply-to-all just because you can. Ask yourself<br />

if everyone that got this message in the first place really needs to see a reply<br />

from you. Odds are, the answer is probably not; and, if you were only CC'd on the<br />

original message, I would suggest the answer is most likely not.<br />

Consider a message with a meeting invitation that asks for an RSVP. Is it really necessary<br />

to let everyone know that you can or can't make it? In many cases, it will be<br />

just fine to reply only to the person who sent the invitation.<br />

Don't Abuse Your Address Groups<br />

Distribution lists or e-mail address groups are potentially the most evil. <strong>The</strong>y make it<br />

a simple and mindless task to send e-mail messages to tens, hundreds or even<br />

thousands of people. I can't argue with the fact that from an efficiency point of view it<br />

makes sense to put people you frequently e-mail in a group under one address. You<br />

just need to use distribution lists with a bit of care and discretion.<br />

<strong>The</strong> “All Users,” “Everyone” and other global address groups built into many e-mail<br />

systems are pretty much Armageddon. Anything that permits any single employee<br />

to interrupt every other person in the firm should be illegal; indeed, many firms limit<br />

access to the global address groups, and some kill them outright. No doubt, in a few<br />

(Continued on page 5)<br />

4 VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


(Continued from page 4)<br />

Daniella Kozovski,<br />

Ontario Securities Commission<br />

Michael Krylov, Krylov & Company<br />

Jeffrey Larry, Paliare Roland<br />

Rosenberg Rothstein LLP<br />

Dawne Latta, Eryou Barristers<br />

James V. Leone, Beard, Winter LLP<br />

Madeleine Loewenberg,<br />

Sherrard Kuzz LLP<br />

Jennifer Lee Marston,<br />

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<br />

Derek McBean, Goodmans LLP<br />

Sarah McCoubrey,<br />

Shibley, Righton LLP<br />

Laura McLaughlin, Woolgar<br />

VanWiechen Ketcheson Ducoffe LLP<br />

Stephen Mullings, Dutton Brock LLP<br />

Johanna Myers, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP<br />

Bruce O'Toole,<br />

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<br />

Kecia Podetz, Emond, Harnden LLP<br />

Natalie Shykula-Clarke,<br />

Levinter & Levinter<br />

Sorelle Simmons, Goodmans LLP<br />

Charles A. Toth,<br />

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP<br />

Continued on page 8...<br />

circumstances it is necessary and appropriate to let everyone know about something<br />

-- like the fact that the building is burning down. Sorry, but the bookkeeper's<br />

uncle's 1982 Jetta for sale for $750 doesn't cut it. Put it on the lunchroom bulletin<br />

board, or your firm intranet, if you have one.<br />

Forgo the Forwarding Follies<br />

Don't forward virus warnings! We all have received these. <strong>The</strong>y warn of a malicious<br />

and destructive virus and ask that you help spread the word by warning all<br />

your friends. Despite the fact they often look official and purport to come from an<br />

official source, 99.99% of them are hoaxes. You are simply wasting your time, and<br />

the time of the people to whom you are forwarding the warning. Go to www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html<br />

or a similar site to verify a virus warning.<br />

Don't forward jokes, SPAM or chain-mail messages. <strong>The</strong>y waste not only the recipient's<br />

time, but also valuable network and Internet capacity.<br />

Try Picking Up the Phone<br />

Lastly, don't use e-mail when it is inappropriate. E-mail is not the same as a phone<br />

call or a face-to-face conversation. At the top of the hierarchy of communications<br />

are face-to-face meetings, then phone calls, then voice mail, and lastly e-mail.<br />

Face-to-face meetings have the most impact; not only can you hear and respond to<br />

the other person, but you also have the ability to see gestures and facial expressions.<br />

On the phone you don't see gestures, but you can hear the tone and emotion<br />

in the speaker's voice. E-mail has the narrowest communications bandwidth --<br />

it is only words on a screen. Make sure the mode of communication you use fits<br />

the circumstance. Pick up the phone or walk down the hall when a more-personal<br />

style of contact is called for.<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005<br />

5


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Society</strong> Celebrates with Guests at End of Term Dinner<br />

Some 1,030 members and special guests gathered at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on June 22 for <strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> End<br />

of Term Dinner, a formal event that has become a highly anticipated annual opportunity for collegiality amongst advocates and the<br />

judiciary. Members paid tribute to outgoing president Benjamin Zarnett of Goodmans LLP, and welcomed new president Linda<br />

Rothstein of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, who praised Mr. Zarnett for championing the issue of access to justice,<br />

and for being “the voice that everyone waits to hear, whether it’s around our boardroom table, in court, or at the head of our profession.”<br />

In Ben’s honour, <strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong>, together with his partners at Goodmans LLP, has established a bursary at<br />

Osgoode Hall Law School to be awarded to a student in financial need who has demonstrated an interest in advocacy through<br />

academic work or extra-curricular activities.<br />

Allan Rock, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, presented the keynote address, offering<br />

personal insights into his transition from the legal profession to the political arena, and outlining the challenges faced by the<br />

United Nations. Leading into Mr. Rock’s presentation was a 15-minute video spoof featuring the Ambassador and prominent<br />

members of the judiciary and the legal community. Written and produced by J. Thomas Curry of Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith<br />

Griffin LLP; Navin Khanna of Chitiz Pathak, and William McDowell of McCarthy Tétrault LLP, the video, now in its second year,<br />

was once again a highlight of the dinner.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> Arleen Goss Young Advocates’ Award was presented to Vilko Zbogar of Klippenstein, Murray. Created in<br />

memory of <strong>Society</strong> member Arleen Goss, who passed away in 2002 at the age of 40, the award recognizes innovative and passionate<br />

advocacy, contribution to social justice, and commitment to the community.<br />

Joining Linda Rothstein on the 2005-06 Executive Committee are Michael E. Barrack of McCarthy Tétrault LLP (First Vice-president);<br />

Michael Eizenga of Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler LLP (Second Vice-president); Peter J.E. Cronyn of Nelligan O’Brien<br />

Payne LLP (Treasurer), and Sandra A. Forbes of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP (Secretary). A primary focus of Ms<br />

Rothstein’s presidency will be streamlining the civil justice system.<br />

Pictured above, seated left to right: <strong>The</strong> Hon. Allan Lutfy, Chief Justice of the Federal Court; Sandra A. Forbes of Davies Ward<br />

Phillips & Vineberg LLP; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Associate Chief Justice Annemarie E. Bonkalo of the Ontario Court of Justice; Deborah<br />

Hanscom, Barrister and Solicitor; Linda Rothstein of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Chief Justice Heather<br />

J. Smith of the Superior Court of Justice; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Associate Chief Justice Donald Ebbs of the Ontario Court of Justice; <strong>The</strong><br />

Hon. Regional Senior Justice J. Bryan Shaughnessy of the Superior Court of Justice, and <strong>The</strong> Hon. Regional Senior Justice<br />

John A. Payne of the Ontario Court of Justice. Standing, from left to right: Timothy D. Ray of Beament Green, who served as the<br />

piper; Allan Rock, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations; Peter J.E. Cronyn of Nelligan<br />

O’Brien Payne LLP; Benjamin Zarnett of Goodmans LLP; George D. Hunter, Treasurer of the Law <strong>Society</strong> of Upper Canada;<br />

Michael E. Barrack of McCarthy Tétrault LLP; <strong>The</strong> Hon. R. Roy McMurtry, Chief Justice of Ontario; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Associate Chief<br />

Justice J. Douglas Cunningham of the Court of Appeal for Ontario; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Regional Senior Justice Warren K. Winkler of<br />

the Superior Court of Justice; Michael Eizenga of Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler LLP, and Ian J. Roland of Paliare Roland<br />

Rosenberg Rothstein LLP.<br />

Photo: Eya Greenland<br />

6<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


Excerpts from Ben Zarnett’s End of Term Dinner Remarks<br />

... Four years ago I was invited to join the executive of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong> by a then <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong> big-wig who told me<br />

that if I accepted, and barring an unexpected outbreak of democracy, I would eventually become its president. "That's very kind," I<br />

said, summoning all of my reserves of modesty, "But there are so many others who are so much more qualified." "I know," he said.<br />

"But none of them are available."<br />

It is obvious that our new President is a very fast learner, but, even though I was not, I did learn a substantial amount while president<br />

over the last year ... I learned, more than I knew before, the important role <strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong> can play in removing barriers<br />

to access to justice. I learned that from our work in interventions before the Courts and in government relations which led to<br />

Court decisions and, subsequently, to legislation providing for a fairly regulated contingent fee system, and for a system of waivers<br />

of court fees for those unable to afford them -- in both cases removing financial barriers to access to justice. I learned that from our<br />

work in making pro bono counsel available to certain unrepresented litigants in the Court of Appeal, the Divisional Court, the<br />

Federal Court of Appeal and to children, again providing access to justice to those who cannot afford it.<br />

I learned the meaningful role the <strong>Society</strong> can play in removing barriers to access to justice that are not financial, but systemic, such<br />

as the role we played in the development of reforms this year to the case management system in Toronto resulting in the Rule we<br />

call #78 in the rule book, but #1 in our hearts. I learned of the important role we can play in removing the barriers to access to justice<br />

that are physical, such as by the <strong>Society</strong>'s participation in the Chief Justices' Committee, which is reviewing steps that can be<br />

taken to make court services more accessible to persons with disabilities across the province.<br />

I learned more than I previously knew about the fact that "access" is only part of the "access to justice" equation, and that much<br />

depends as well on what happens when you get there. Here too the <strong>Society</strong> has such an important role to play through its education<br />

programs in ensuring the highest quality of advocacy in our courts. Our programs this year for the first time reached over 3,500<br />

participants and were offered in 12<br />

cities and taught advocacy skills on all<br />

levels, including the advanced level<br />

which allows you to confuse judges on<br />

a much higher plane. This year saw the<br />

introduction of a bursary program to Excellence in Advocacy with the ACTL<br />

help ensure that costs will not be a barrier<br />

to those programs.<br />

... And I learned, more than I knew<br />

before, about the need for our <strong>Society</strong><br />

to not retreat from, but in fact to reinforce<br />

certain barriers: these are the barriers<br />

that protect an independent judiciary<br />

and an independent bar, and I<br />

learned about the need to speak out as<br />

we did and will continue to in support<br />

and defence of those principles.<br />

"On behalf of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Advocates'</strong> <strong>Society</strong>."<br />

Over the past year, I began countless<br />

speeches and letters with these words.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y surround the otherwise modest<br />

and unexceptional thoughts of their<br />

speaker with the heft of an organization<br />

of over 3,000 advocates, and the depth<br />

of an organization with a 41-year record<br />

of accomplishments. I am grateful for<br />

the privilege of having been able to use<br />

them, and now that that particular ride<br />

is over, let me wish, on behalf of myself,<br />

to our new president, executive and<br />

board, a successful year and one in<br />

which they approach the important work<br />

of the <strong>Society</strong>, as I tried to approach<br />

this year, this evening and these<br />

remarks, with equal measures of gravity<br />

and levity.<br />

<strong>The</strong> American College of Trial Lawyers and <strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> continued<br />

their tradition of presenting Spring Symposium, the premier annual CLE event<br />

for civil litigators, in May. Pictured, left to right, are speaker and immediate past<br />

president of the American College, David W. Scott, Q.C. of Borden Ladner<br />

Gervais LLP; keynote speaker Brian B. O’Neill of Faegre & Benson, plaintiffs’<br />

counsel in the Exxon Valdez litigation and an ACTL Fellow, and ACTL Fellow<br />

Brian Crosby. Spring Symposium 2005 was chaired by Neil Finkelstein of<br />

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Wendy Matheson of Torys LLP, and Benjamin<br />

Zarnett of Goodmans LLP, who were assisted by the organizing committee of<br />

Jessica Grant of <strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong>, Alan H. Mark of Ogilvy Renault LLP,<br />

and Peter C. Wardle of Wardle Daley LLP. Sponsors of the program were<br />

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Neeson & Associates Court Reporting &<br />

Captioning Inc., Primafact - Sandcat Software, ADR Chambers, Baxter’s,<br />

and Commonwealth Legal.<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005 7


Fatima Vieira, Adair Morse LLP<br />

Maureen Ward, Bennett Jones LLP<br />

Judicial<br />

<strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Edward Belobaba,<br />

Superior Court of Justice<br />

<strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Antonio Di Zio,<br />

Ontario Court of Justice<br />

<strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Susan G. Himel,<br />

Superior Court of Justice<br />

Prothonotary Roger R. Lafrenière,<br />

<strong>The</strong> Federal Court of Canada<br />

<strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Russell J. Otter,<br />

Ontario Court of Justice<br />

<strong>The</strong> Hon. Regional Senior Justice<br />

John A. Payne,<br />

Ontario Court of Justice<br />

Quasi-judicial<br />

William E. Kaplan, LSM<br />

Barrister & Solicitor<br />

Susan E. Opler, Province of Ontario<br />

Consent and Capacity Board<br />

Regular - Outside of Toronto<br />

Catherine Patterson,<br />

McCarthy Tétrault LLP<br />

Richard Prendiville, Barrister<br />

Regular - Toronto<br />

William Abbott,<br />

MacDonald & Partners LLP<br />

Sarit Batner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP<br />

Jane E. Caskey, Ogilvy Renault LLP<br />

Lisa Corne,<br />

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<br />

Brandy A. Dowdall,<br />

Reisler Franklin LLP<br />

Mark Elkin,<br />

Thompson, Tooze, McLean & Elkin<br />

Mark Ellis, Baker & McKenzie<br />

Daniel Holland,<br />

Benson Percival Brown<br />

Murray MacDonald,<br />

Chadwick & Associates<br />

William A. McMaster, Singer, Kwinter<br />

Sherree R. Mosoff,<br />

Beard, Winter LLP<br />

David C. Nathanson, Q.C.,<br />

Lerners LLP<br />

Stephen C. Roberts,<br />

Roberts Employment Law<br />

Pearl Rombis, Dutton Brock LLP<br />

Domenic A. Romeo,<br />

Lofranco Romeo Pitaro Chagpar<br />

Shields Wolfe, Barristers<br />

Gale Rubenstein, Goodmans LLP<br />

WHO’S DOING WHAT: Member News<br />

George D. Hunter of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has been elected by benchers to<br />

lead the Law <strong>Society</strong> of Upper Canada as Treasurer, its top elected official.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Law <strong>Society</strong> Medal has been awarded to Paul J.J. Cavalluzzo of Cavalluzzo<br />

Hayes Shilton McIntyre and Cornish LLP. Gregory D. Goulin of Goulin & Patrick,<br />

Jeffrey S. Leon of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Brendan O’Brien, Q.C.,<br />

(retired), Linda Rothstein of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, and David<br />

Stockwood, Q.C. of Stockwoods LLP. <strong>The</strong> medal is the Law <strong>Society</strong>’s highest honour,<br />

presented to lawyers who have made outstanding contributions to the legal profession<br />

and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to serving their communities,<br />

<strong>The</strong> Ministry of the Attorney General building has officially been named the<br />

McMurtry-Scott Building, in honour of two former attorneys general: the Honourable<br />

Chief Justice R. Roy McMurtry and the Honourable Ian D. Scott.<br />

An honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) has been awarded by the Law <strong>Society</strong><br />

of Upper Canada to Claude R. Thomson, Q.C. of ADR Chambers.<br />

Keith M. Landy of Landy Marr LLP has received the Law <strong>Society</strong>’s Lincoln<br />

Alexander Award for longstanding commitment to public matters and community service<br />

on behalf of residents of Ontario.<br />

Joel B. Kohm, Barrister & Solicitor, is the inaugural recipient of <strong>The</strong> Advocates’<br />

<strong>Society</strong> Award for Excellence in Teaching.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Society</strong>’s newest executive member, Sandra A. Forbes of Davies Ward Phillips<br />

& Vineberg LLP has been appointed to the editorial board of the Ontario Reports.<br />

Rodney Hull, Q.C. of Hull & Hull has received the OBA’s Award of Excellence in<br />

Estates and Trusts.<br />

Meredith Jackson Donohue of Daniel & Partners LLP has been certified by the<br />

Law <strong>Society</strong> as a specialist in civil litigation.<br />

J. Sebastian Winny has joined Keller, Morrison & Winny LLP in Waterloo.<br />

Edward L Greenspan, Q.C. of Greenspan Humphrey Lavine is the editor of<br />

Counsel for the Defence: <strong>The</strong> Bernard Cohn Memorial Lectures in Criminal Law, and<br />

Harvey T. Strosberg, Q.C., of Sutts Strosberg LLP is the editor of the Canadian<br />

Class Action Review (Vol. 2, Issue 1), both available through Irwin Law.<br />

New <strong>Society</strong> director Paul B. Schabas of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is the<br />

newly-elected chair of Pro Bono Law Ontario.<br />

Congratulations to <strong>Society</strong> director Marie Henein of Henein and Associate, whose<br />

son, Ryder Jennings, was born on Wednesday, July 20.<br />

Osgoode Hall Law School has presented the inaugural Dianne Martin Medal for<br />

Social Justice through Law to Marlys Edwardh, LSM of Ruby & Edwardh, and a<br />

Gold Key Award to the Honourable Justice Sandra Chapnik of the Superior Court<br />

of Justice.<br />

Please send announcements to sonia@advocates.ca<br />

Michael F. Smith,<br />

Bennett Best Burn LLP<br />

Sanj Sood, Aird & Berlis<br />

Allison Thornton,<br />

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<br />

Steven J. Weisz,<br />

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<br />

Mary Ann Winterhalt,<br />

Beard, Winter LLP<br />

8<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


LITIGATION TIPS & TRAPS: “Southren” Style<br />

By Jane Southren, Lerners LLP<br />

As some of you may know, I recently have moved my practice to Lerners LLP, where<br />

I hope to continue to grow and expand it for years to come. One happy result of that<br />

move is that I am now surrounded by a large group of enthusiastic litigators, many of<br />

whom already have volunteered to write columns about the tips they have to offer.<br />

One such litigator is Brian Radnoff, an associate with Lerners whose practice includes<br />

complex commercial disputes, administrative law, competition law, trade law and<br />

securities law. Brian is also our resident pleadings maven. He has some tips, traps<br />

and pet peeves that he would like to share with you; so many, in fact, that this is the<br />

first offering of his two-article series.<br />

MY PLEADING IS BIGGER THAN YOURS: How To Get Over Feelings of Pleading<br />

Inferiority<br />

By Brian N. Radnoff, Lerners LLP<br />

Brian N. Radnoff<br />

Although I can be convinced that there are rare occasions when facta exceeding 30 pages may be necessary -- the only justifiable<br />

circumstance I can conceive of is for trial submissions after a lengthy trial, assuming such submissions fall into the factum category<br />

-- you will never convince me that there is any commercial action that requires a statement of claim exceeding 30 pages. In fact,<br />

the vast majority of commercial actions do not require statements of claim exceeding 15 pages, and most actions probably can be<br />

pleaded adequately in less than 10 pages. Although, like in all other aspects of life, there will be exceptions to this rule, such<br />

exceptions are sufficiently rare that I believe I can go through my entire career without ever drafting a commercial claim that is<br />

longer than 30 pages.<br />

<strong>The</strong> reality in commercial litigation is that statements of claim are getting longer and it is increasingly rare to find a statement of<br />

claim that has fewer than 10 pages, and statements of claim that exceed 30, or even 100 pages, are becoming much more common.<br />

Distressingly, the longer claims get, the more they breach the fundamental rules of pleading: to be concise and to plead<br />

material facts. Have we become so obsessed with size that, as with many other things in life, we are blind to the fact that size and<br />

quality are not the same things? What are the reasons for our fixation, and can it be overcome?<br />

In my humble opinion, this problem is caused by lawyers doing the wrong things for the right reasons. Plaintiffs' counsel want to<br />

accomplish two very laudable goals with any claim: plead the cause of action sufficiently to withstand attack, and tell a story to help<br />

properly and persuasively give the plaintiff’s position to any judge or master; however, in their attempt to achieve this result, they<br />

go too far and plead reams of inappropriate evidence in order to support the plaintiff’s claim. Commercial pleadings today are<br />

infected by an overabundance of evidence and colour that accomplishes little or nothing. Amazingly, many of the commercial<br />

claims I see, despite their length, still fail to plead sufficient material facts to establish the claimed cause of action. Moreover, most<br />

of these pleadings are confused narratives that make it difficult to understand the plaintiff's story. If brevity is the soul of wit, conciseness<br />

is most definitely the soul of pleading, and, for that matter, of all legal writing.<br />

This issue is emphasized when one examines pleadings in one area of law where the rules of pleading are highly regimented and<br />

require lengthy recitations of material facts and repeated pleadings of certain legal formulations: defamation. Ironically, and despite<br />

the fact that, among other things, every single defamatory statement must be set out in any defamation claim, my experience is<br />

that defamation claims are often the most well-pleaded and concise claims. I believe this is a result of a relatively small and experienced<br />

defamation bar that is fully familiar with the rules of pleading defamation cases. Does this mean that similarly complicated<br />

rules are required for all pleading? I believe that if plaintiffs’ counsel adhere to certain simple rules, all pleadings can be of a much<br />

higher quality and much more concise.<br />

1. If you don't have the material facts, you can't plead the claim: This should be obvious, but it surprises me how many commercial<br />

claims I review that simply don’t plead material facts that establish an element of a cause of action. This normally occurs<br />

because there are no material facts to support that cause of action or that particular element of the cause of action. This often<br />

occurs in claims involving that last refuge of the desperate plaintiff, the pleading of economic torts like intentional interference and<br />

conspiracy. No amount of dressing up the claim with evidence (particularly about how poorly the plaintiff was treated) will cure this<br />

deficiency. Good plaintiffs' counsel must have the knowledge and courage to tell a client when there is simply no claim. If you have<br />

the material facts, make sure that you have pleaded them in such a manner as to establish all the elements of your cause of<br />

action. A simple review of O'Brien's forms, Bullen & Leake's precedents or any other number of sources (like Rainaldi on<br />

Remedies in Torts) prior to drafting will identify all the material facts that need to be pleaded. (Please note that you will not find a<br />

(Continued on page 10)<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005 9


(Continued from page 9)<br />

pleading precedent in any of these texts<br />

that exceeds 10 pages).<br />

2. Understand the distinction<br />

between a material fact and evidence:<br />

Perhaps even more obvious,<br />

but it seems that what should be obvious<br />

is difficult to grasp. Material facts<br />

establish the cause of action, and evidence<br />

is used to prove those material<br />

facts. In a breach of contract claim, you<br />

need to plead the provision on which<br />

the plaintiff relies (e.g. payment was<br />

due December 31) and the fact it was<br />

breached (no payment was made on<br />

December 31). <strong>The</strong> letters and phone<br />

calls made by the plaintiff reminding the<br />

defendant to pay on December 31 are<br />

unlikely, in a simple breach of contract<br />

claim, to be material facts; this is evidence<br />

and does not need to be pleaded.<br />

Further, every document mentioned<br />

in your claim (the numerous reminder<br />

letters) must now, pursuant to recent<br />

changes to the Rules, be attached to<br />

At Lerners, we look at referrals from your<br />

perspective. When you refer matters to us,<br />

you can trust us to help you achieve<br />

the best results - all the while respecting<br />

the relationship that is rightly yours.<br />

Complete. Trust.<br />

Lerners LLP<br />

Barristers & Solicitors<br />

Toronto Office<br />

416.867.3076<br />

London Office<br />

519.672.4131<br />

www.lerners.ca<br />

the plaintiff's claim. Why plead a document unless it is necessary? More importantly, if you want to ensure your claim attacked<br />

then you should plead lots of evidence, which is all properly struck from any claim.<br />

3. Tell a story, but do it in a concise and easy-to-read manner: We are advocates, and there is no reason why a claim must be<br />

a turgid document that will cure insomnia; however, this is not an exercise in rhetoric, and colourful (or any) adjectives and adverbs<br />

normally should be avoided. Similarly, this is not an exercise in post-modern deconstruction nor a demonstration that you can write<br />

the script to the next Atom Egoyan movie. Lawyers, and more importantly judges, think in a linear manner. Using headings, tell<br />

your client's story in a logical and concise manner. In many commercial cases, there is a short simple story to tell. Be judicious and<br />

remember your claim can come back to haunt you.<br />

4. Identify the claims you are pleading: Despite falling into the land of “so obvious<br />

it is patronizing to mention it,” I regularly see commercial claims where the cause(s)<br />

of action is (are) not identified. This is not impressive, but it does keep defence counsel<br />

on their toes.<br />

MUG SHOT<br />

5. Remember the claims that require more particulars: I also see lengthy pleadings<br />

in which common claims like misrepresentation are insufficiently pleaded.<br />

Remember that the Rules and common law require certain claims, like misrepresentation,<br />

to be pleaded with particularity. Particularity means that the material facts<br />

include who, what, when, where and how. This is not an excuse to throw in irrelevant<br />

evidence, or even worse, speculation, about motives and how poorly your client was<br />

treated (unless, perhaps, you are making a punitive or aggravated damages claim).<br />

6. Repeating something is unnecessary, but once is sufficient: Of course you<br />

want to emphasize certain material facts or issues, but repeating something more<br />

than once is not going to make your document more persuasive or immune to attack,<br />

it will just make it longer.<br />

7. Save time for a good edit: Typos and grammatical mistakes, which are legion in<br />

the pleadings I see, are not impressive. More importantly, one good edit can always<br />

reduce the length of a legal document by at least 10%, if not more. You are doing<br />

your client a serious disservice if you have not saved time to thoroughly edit your<br />

claim.<br />

Not yet convinced? Worried that your persuasive, concise pleading is still going to<br />

be attacked? I deal with these concerns in the next edition of this series.<br />

Please support Campbell<br />

House by purchasing<br />

mugs @ $5.<br />

To order, please call the<br />

museum at 416-597-0227.<br />

10<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


Of Medals and Honours: <strong>The</strong> Carleton Medal<br />

By <strong>The</strong> Honourable Justice Colin McKinnon, Superior Court of Justice<br />

Following are excerpts from the remarks made by Justice McKinnon, upon being presented with the Carleton Medal “for great diligence,<br />

high ideals and outstanding leadership in the practice of law” in Ottawa earlier this year.<br />

...It is exactly nine years and three days since Roydon Kealey and I were telephoned by then Minister of Justice Allan Rock, informing<br />

us we had been appointed judges of the Ontario Court (General Division) ... It was a thrilling day for both of us, and we have<br />

since become close friends... On learning of tonight’s award, Roydon’s immediate comment was, “Remember, Colin, it is merely a<br />

secular bauble. <strong>The</strong> only thing that counts at the end of the day is whether you’re heading up or down.” I began to ponder whether<br />

there is validity to “secular baubles” and, if so, what. It occurred to me that the grand panoply of human history is thoroughly pinned<br />

with such baubles ... Medals and honours abound. <strong>The</strong> act of singling out individuals for the receipt of such honours, both as historical<br />

habit and present practice, is a hallmark of civilized behaviour.<br />

Given their vast popularity, how should such honours be perceived? In my opinion, they should not be viewed as exalting particular<br />

individuals, but rather acknowledging a particular individual’s achievement as constituting one example of broader group achievement.<br />

Medals and honours should not be regarded as exclusive, but rather inclusive, in the sense that the honour embraces the<br />

group to which the individual recipient belongs ... Every day ... persons perform deeds, great and small, deserving of medals and<br />

honours -- acts of mercy, of kindness, of courage, of selflessness, of artistic creativity, of leadership, of brave quiet suffering -- in fulfillment<br />

of the highest attributes of human endeavour. Very few are singled out for notice ... Such is the nature of honorifics....<br />

...<strong>The</strong> Carleton Medal is not only a well-sculpted piece of metal to be possessed with pride -- it is, and should be, a symbol of<br />

ephemeral qualities and cardinal truths -- a reminder that no muscle is so important as the human heart; that an unbridled devotion<br />

to personal profit robs the soul of its essence; that the smallest cause is of serious import to the litigant advancing it; that lawyers<br />

and judges exist to serve the public, and not the other way around; that no particular form of legal work is less worthy than any<br />

other, so long as the work is done well and pursued ethically; that lawyers and judges must be prepared to suffer bitter public derision<br />

from time to time in our role as guardians of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; that the law is not just something written<br />

down in a book, but a living, breathing mechanism that can foster “peace, order and good government” and the rule of law among all<br />

people who make up this magnificent country; that to maintain a secure, vibrant and robust society things must constantly change.<br />

By that I mean to say that we should not steep ourselves so deeply in tradition that we become blind to the demands of contemporary<br />

society. We must maintain a critical eye on the past, preserve what is good and instructive, and jettison what is base and prejudicial.<br />

With this attitude we can develop a living tradition, where dedication to reform infuses our world view.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is one value that is immune to reform, however: the devotion to doing justice. <strong>The</strong> exercise of this immutable, irreducible<br />

virtue can vouchsafe the life of the law, guarantee fairness for all and ensure lasting human harmony...<br />

... <strong>The</strong> history of the County of Carleton<br />

Law Association evidences amazing<br />

ingenuity and accomplishment, devotion<br />

to high ideals and public service, and a<br />

continuing preoccupation with meaningful<br />

endeavours. <strong>The</strong> lawyers of the<br />

Ottawa Bar are second to none in this<br />

province ... <strong>The</strong> Carleton Medal was<br />

conceived in our Centennial Year with<br />

pride and hope. It should never be<br />

regarded as exclusive and forever be<br />

symbolic of the highest virtue that governs<br />

the lifeblood of the law; a never-faltering<br />

commitment to respond positively<br />

to a world that thirsts for justice, a world<br />

that will not rest until injustice is conquered.<br />

If this ideal remains a goal of its<br />

recipients, then the medal shall survive<br />

in perpetuity, for perfect justice shall<br />

remain and forever be, unobtainable.<br />

And so the honour should be reserved<br />

for those who seek it, however difficult<br />

their path may be, however imperfect<br />

their quest may prove. <strong>The</strong> reward is in<br />

the effort.<br />

We make forensic<br />

information make sense.<br />

Collision Reconstruction<br />

Civil & Building Science<br />

Personal Injury<br />

Fire & Explosion Investigation<br />

Equipment & Processes<br />

Industrial & Chemical<br />

Product Liability<br />

Environmental Contamination<br />

Utility & Heavy Electrical Equipment<br />

Forensic information is worthless,<br />

unless you can understand it.<br />

Fortunately, you can rely on the<br />

experts at Giffin Koerth for a<br />

powerful combination of technical<br />

strength and clear communication.<br />

We'll help you understand the<br />

entire picture, so you can make<br />

decisions with confidence. For<br />

an independent engineering<br />

assessment that will stand up<br />

to public scrutiny contact us. To<br />

learn more,visit giffinkoerth.com<br />

Giffin Koerth<br />

FORENSIC ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE<br />

40 University Avenue, Suite 700<br />

Toronto, ON M5J 1T1<br />

Tel: 416 368 1700 • 1 800 564 5313<br />

Investigate Understand Communicate <br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005 11


Judicial<br />

Appointments<br />

<strong>The</strong> Honourable John F. McCartney of<br />

Thunder Bay has been appointed<br />

Regional Senior Judge of the Superior<br />

Court of Justice for the Northwest<br />

Region.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Honourable Justice Annemarie<br />

E. Bonkalo has been appointed an<br />

Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario<br />

Court of Justice<br />

Ann Watson of St. Catharines has<br />

been appointed to the Ontario Court of<br />

Justice, assigned to St. Catharines.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> Mission Statement<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> is the professional organization for advocates<br />

in Ontario. As such, our mission is to:<br />

• be the voice of advocates in Ontario;<br />

• promote ethical and professional practice standards for advocates;<br />

• expand our leadership role in teaching the skills of advocacy;<br />

• protect the independence of the bar and the judiciary, and<br />

• foster collegiality among members<br />

HENDERSON STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS • SINCE 1981<br />

Letter to the Editor<br />

Ben Zarnett would have spoken perfectly<br />

for me on every detail of his piece<br />

(“To Question or Not To Question...<br />

That is the Question” - Spring 2005),<br />

but for perhaps the most quotable line<br />

in that piece. “A judicial decision is by<br />

definition the product of something<br />

more than previously-held personal<br />

viewpoints,” he wrote. In Canada, UK,<br />

and elsewhere in the Commonwealth,<br />

this would be a truism. Judging, however,<br />

from what goes on at times at the<br />

American Supreme Court, I am not sure<br />

that we can say the same for them.<br />

LIFE HAS ENOUGH<br />

Great Mysteries<br />

But then again, this adds another angle<br />

to the main point of Zarnett's argument<br />

against importing the US style confirmation<br />

process for our Supreme Court. In<br />

America, they have a president. In<br />

Canada, we have a prime minister, and<br />

we like it that way.<br />

Chile Eboe-Osuji<br />

Arusha, Tanzania.<br />

(Ed. note: Chile is returning to practise in<br />

Ottawa next month after working for the<br />

UN International Criminal Tribunal.)<br />

At Henderson Structured<br />

Settlements, we believe that it’s<br />

smart to make things simple. And<br />

we believe our job is to make the<br />

business of structured settlements<br />

simple for you.<br />

From pre-settlement evaluation to<br />

post-settlement counselling and<br />

documentation, we do it all, at<br />

no cost to you, and at a level of<br />

professionalism and civility second<br />

to none.<br />

We welcome your comments,<br />

articles & announcements.<br />

Please forward them to:<br />

sonia@advocates.ca<br />

800.263.8537<br />

www.henderson.ca<br />

PROUD SPONSOR OF:<br />

12<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


<strong>The</strong> Advocates’s <strong>Society</strong> recently offered a Special Litigation Skills Certificate program titled “Trial and Appellate Judges’ Forum on Oral<br />

Advocacy in Tax Litigation” at the Tax Court of Canada. Pictured are faculty members, seated, left to right: <strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Leslie M.<br />

LIttle of the Tax Court of Canada; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Karen Sharlow of the Federal Court of Appeal; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Georgette<br />

Sheridan of the Tax Court; <strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Marshall E. Rothstein of the Federal Court of Appeal, and <strong>The</strong> Hon. Justice Eric A.<br />

Bowie of the Tax Court. Standing, left to right: program co-chair Henry A. Gluch of the Department of Justice; Ian S. MacGregor of the<br />

Department of Justice; program co-chair David E. Spiro of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; David C. Nathanson, Q.C. of Lerners LLP;<br />

Clifford L. Rand of Stikeman Elliott LLP; Al Meghji of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Gordon Bourgard, Alexandra K. Brown, Arnold<br />

Bornstein and J. Paul Malette of the Department of Justice; and Edward C. Rowe of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.<br />

<strong>The</strong> McKellar Structured Settlement <br />

As sure as the sun will rise.<br />

<strong>The</strong> only structure company with a legal<br />

department that reviews every<br />

settlement for tax compliance; with<br />

offices coast to coast and the ability to<br />

be at ten different mediations at once.<br />

Now You’re Sure.<br />

www.mckellar.com<br />

VANCOUVER<br />

1-800-465-7878<br />

GUELPH<br />

1-800-265-8381<br />

EDMONTON<br />

780-420-0897<br />

USA<br />

1-800-265-2789<br />

HALIFAX<br />

1-800-565-0695<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005<br />

13


Feeling Overwhelmed? Know Where to Draw <strong>The</strong> Line<br />

By Leota Embleton, Program Manager & John G Starzynski, Volunteer Executive Director, Ontario Bar Assistance Program<br />

"How are you doing?" How would you answer that question? <strong>The</strong> responses we often hear are “exhausted,” “worn out,” “burned<br />

out,” “stressed out,” “overworked,” “anxious,” “pressured,” “suffering from compassion fatigue.” Lawyers who respond this way are<br />

not complaining, just stating the facts as they see them. <strong>The</strong>se descriptions indicate a similar state of mind but are inexact when it<br />

comes to a clear definition of what is going on. Often we do not think that our situation can change and we accept it as normal.<br />

Lawyers may feel all of these things and for good reason. <strong>The</strong> nature of our work is exhausting, demanding, exacting, competitive<br />

and driven by deadlines. Clients are in constant need of attention, deadlines are always looming, and colleagues and society have<br />

high expectations. Is it any wonder we feel the way we do?<br />

Do you know how to tell when these<br />

descriptions can cross over the line from<br />

temporary states to problem levels?<br />

Here are some early warning signs that<br />

work pressures are becoming a problem<br />

and you may be on the way to burnout.<br />

When Real Estate Matters<br />

Stage One<br />

Physical, mental and emotional exhaustion;<br />

increasing use, abuse and dependence<br />

on alcohol, nicotine, caffeine or<br />

other drugs to relieve stress; changes in<br />

sleeping habits -- too much or early<br />

morning waking; changes in eating<br />

habits -- habitually eating very little or<br />

subsistence amounts, or overeating;<br />

feeling under the weather most of the<br />

time; minor health problems such as<br />

headaches, recurring colds, backaches,<br />

stomachaches, etc.<br />

For more than 30 years, Clayton Research has been<br />

providing the legal community with independent advice and<br />

expert witness testimony pertaining to:<br />

• real estate and land development agreement disputes<br />

• property value impacts – environmental or expropriation<br />

• development approvals<br />

• construction industry<br />

• real estate market context and economic analysis<br />

We’re the Experts<br />

Urban and Real Estate Economists<br />

416-699-5645 www.clayton-research.com 1-800-689-4425<br />

Stage Two<br />

Physically feeling worse than before;<br />

reduced productivity at work -- difficulty<br />

concentrating; extreme self-doubt up to<br />

self-contempt; moodiness and acute irritability;<br />

constant fear that others will discover<br />

that you are incompetent or that<br />

you are not coping; shame and guilt.<br />

Stage Three<br />

Chronic fatigue; extreme negativity;<br />

more serious health problems from<br />

severe back pains, phantom heart<br />

attacks to migraines; low or no selfesteem;<br />

increasingly cynical attitude<br />

towards clients.<br />

Stage Four<br />

Feeling that there is nothing left to give<br />

physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually;<br />

no-win dilemma -- both giving up<br />

and carrying on are unthinkable;<br />

extreme instability -- even tiny events<br />

can trigger a crisis; severe illness,<br />

depression, breakdown, religious angst.<br />

If you recognize yourself in these<br />

(Continued on page 15)<br />

14<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


(Continued from page 14)<br />

stages and the symptoms continue over a period of time with no relief, it is time for action. <strong>The</strong>re are things that you can<br />

do. <strong>The</strong> most important thing is to recognize the dangers and be proactive.<br />

STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING AND MANAGING BURNOUT<br />

Personal support network: A support network of spouse, family or close friends who know you well and who can tell when you<br />

are getting off track. Listen to their observations and comments.<br />

Professional support network: A general support network at work that can give you support and information; an open relationship<br />

with your boss or supervisor. If you are your own boss, set out boundaries for yourself in terms of hours to be worked and live<br />

by your strictures rigorously.<br />

Peer support network: This is where the Ontario Bar Assistance Program can help. <strong>The</strong>re are lawyers who understand the pressures,<br />

have developed some strategies to help, are willing to share their experiences with you, and are ready to listen.<br />

Look after your health: Build in time for the basics -- sleep, nutrition and exercise.<br />

Set priorities: Use the Franklin-Covey theory of planning your life for what matters most first and then prioritize the rest from life<br />

and death situations down to non-urgent tasks.<br />

Have a passion: Become involved in pursuits for which you have a passion -- theatre, sports, handcrafts, travel, reading, church,<br />

etc. Feed your soul.<br />

Take time for yourself and your family. When you do this, leave the cell phone, Blackberry and briefcase at home.<br />

Make changes before the stress has an adverse effect on your physical, emotional and spiritual health. Taking care of yourself will<br />

make you a more effective lawyer and a happier member of your family.<br />

Confidential help and information are available for lawyers and their families<br />

Ontario Bar Assistance Program - Lawyers helping lawyers since 1978<br />

www.obap.ca 24-hour Line: 1-800-667-5722<br />

Leota Embleton, Program Manager, 416-241-7983 John G. Starzynski, Volunteer Executive Director, 1-877-6227<br />

LINK Lawyers Assistance Program<br />

English: 1-866-261-6704 French: 1-866-261-6718 <br />

Setting <strong>The</strong> Standard<br />

in Health and Disability Management<br />

Throughout Southwestern Ontario<br />

Specialists in Case Management,<br />

Occupational <strong>The</strong>rapy, Vocational Rehabilitation<br />

and Future Care Cost Analyses.<br />

www.nancyhaston.com<br />

email: rehab@nancyhaston.com<br />

toll free: 1-800-465-1614 fax: 416-927-8677<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005 15


Spotlight On a<br />

Board Member<br />

Calendar of Events<br />

Wed., <strong>Sept</strong>ember 21<br />

Wed., <strong>Sept</strong>ember 21<br />

Fri., <strong>Sept</strong>ember 23<br />

Tues., <strong>Sept</strong>ember 27<br />

Fri., <strong>Sept</strong>ember 30<br />

Junior Counsel Series: ReAct Like a Pro!<br />

Toronto: Venue TBA<br />

Lecture by President SHI Jiuyong of the International<br />

Court of Justice. Reception to follow.<br />

Toronto: Convocation Hall, Osgoode Hall<br />

New Members’ Breakfast<br />

Toronto: Campbell House<br />

“Learned Friends” Book Launch Reception<br />

Toronto: Convocation Hall, Osgoode Hall<br />

Brown Bag Series: How to Find Affordable Experts, and<br />

5 Key Expert Do's and Don'ts<br />

Toronto: Campbell House<br />

Paul Schabas is a senior litigation partner<br />

at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.<br />

Paul has a B.A. (Hons.) and LL.B. from<br />

the University of Toronto, and was called<br />

to the bar in 1986. He has a wide-ranging<br />

counsel practice, from complex commercial<br />

litigation to white-collar criminal<br />

and regulatory matters, to administrative<br />

and public law. Paul frequently acts for<br />

the media on defamation and freedom of<br />

expression matters. He has been counsel<br />

on significant cases dealing with<br />

Charter and human rights issues, division<br />

of powers and judicial independence.<br />

He has appeared many times<br />

before the Supreme Court of Canada,<br />

including as counsel to the Canadian<br />

Foundation for Children, Youth and the<br />

Law on its challenge to the corporal punishment<br />

defence. He is recognized by<br />

Lexpert as a "leading practitioner" in<br />

media and defamation law, and in public<br />

law. Paul has taught for many years at<br />

the University of Toronto and at<br />

Osgoode Hall Law School. He has published<br />

numerous articles and is a frequent<br />

speaker at conferences. In June<br />

2000 he delivered one of the Law<br />

<strong>Society</strong>'s "Special Lectures" on constitutional<br />

law (freedom of expression), and<br />

in April 2003 delivered another "Special<br />

Lecture" on evidence in Charter cases.<br />

Paul is chair of Pro Bono Law Ontario,<br />

is on the executive of Ad IDEM<br />

(Canadian Media Lawyers Association),<br />

and is a director of the Canadian Civil<br />

Liberties Association. He is a former<br />

director of the National Youth Orchestra<br />

of Canada and the Family Service<br />

Association of Toronto, and is a pastchair<br />

of the OBA’s Constitutional and<br />

Civil Liberties Section.<br />

Fri., <strong>Sept</strong>ember 30<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>ober TBA<br />

Sat., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 15<br />

Sat., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 15<br />

Wed., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 19<br />

Fri., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 21<br />

Mon., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 24 -<br />

Tues., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 25<br />

Wed., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 26<br />

Fri., <strong>Oct</strong>ober 28<br />

Fri., November 4 -<br />

Sat., November 5<br />

Thurs., November 17 -<br />

Sun., November 20<br />

Skirting the Issues: A Special CLE & Networking<br />

Conference for Women<br />

Toronto: Hilton Hotel<br />

Mentoring Dinner Series<br />

Toronto: Campbell House<br />

Criminal Litigation Skills Certificate Program:<br />

Trying a Sexual Assault Case<br />

Toronto: Federal Court<br />

<strong>The</strong> Chief Justice of Ontario's Advisory Committee on<br />

Professionalism Colloquia on the Legal Profession<br />

Kingston: Queen's University, Faculty of Law<br />

Thunder Bay Regional Advocacy Training<br />

Thunder Bay: Venue TBA<br />

Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program:<br />

How to Excel at Examination-in-chief<br />

Toronto: TSX Conference Centre<br />

Newfoundland Bar Admissions and CLE Advocacy<br />

Training<br />

Newfoundland: Venue TBA<br />

Junior Counsel Series: Ready, Set, Litigate!<br />

Toronto: Venue TBA<br />

Brown Bag Series: Evidentiary Issues before<br />

Administrative and Regulatory Tribunals<br />

Toronto: Campbell House<br />

Written Advocacy<br />

Toronto: Osgoode Professional Development Centre<br />

Fall Convention<br />

Great Exuma, Bahamas: Four Seasons Resort<br />

See our complete Calendar of Events with fliers at<br />

http://www.advocates.ca/events/calendar.html<br />

For further information, please call:<br />

Education: 416-597-0243 x.110<br />

Events: 416-597-0243 x.113<br />

16<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005


Supreme Court of Canada Counsel<br />

and Agency Services<br />

Now in its 23 rd year<br />

Available by e-mail<br />

Same day service<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP Supreme Court of Canada Service<br />

includes a periodic summary, an Annual Report on all applications for leave to<br />

appeal, and related services.<br />

Supreme Court of Canada Group:<br />

Brian A. Crane, Q.C.<br />

Henry S. Brown, Q.C.<br />

Martin W. Mason<br />

<strong>The</strong> Power of Original Thought<br />

Graham Ragan<br />

Eduard J.Van Bemmel,<br />

Legal Assistant<br />

2600 – 160 Elgin Street Ottawa, ON K1P 1C3 Tel: (613) 233-1781<br />

Montréal Ottawa Toronto Hamilton Waterloo Region Calgary Vancouver Moscow<br />

gowlings.com<br />

Cecilia, You’re Breaking My Heart...<br />

SWCF Lottery<br />

Winners<br />

Trip for two to the sunny south, donated<br />

by itravel2000. - SHEILA BLOCK<br />

Two-night getaway at Deerhurst, donated<br />

by Deerhurst Resort and Borden<br />

Ladner Gervais LLP. - AL FORMOSA<br />

Four day-passes for Mansfield Ski Club,<br />

donated by George B. Kilpatrick,<br />

Dutton Brock LLP. - SHANNON<br />

PARSONS<br />

Fly-fishing guided trip for two, donated<br />

by Wardle Daley LLP. - GEORGE<br />

KILPATRICK<br />

Express Day Spa Package at Stillwater<br />

Spa, donated by Debut Global Inc. -<br />

WENDY MATHESON<br />

Gift certificate for Jamie Kennedy Wine<br />

Bar, donated by Jamie Kennedy Wine<br />

Bar. - SANDRA FORBES<br />

Two tickets, Toronto Symphony<br />

Orchestra concert and pass to Maestro<br />

Club, donated by TSO. - GEORGE<br />

BROCK<br />

Two bottles of 1996 Ornellaia donated<br />

by Stephen Grant, McCarthy Tétrault<br />

LLP. - CONNIE REEVE<br />

Historic dinner for eight, donated by<br />

Dorothy Duncan. - DONALD SHORT<br />

Sculpture by Irene Blogg, donated by<br />

Irene Blogg. - PATRICK MOORE<br />

Painting by Jocelyn Shaw, donated by<br />

Jocelyn Shaw. - GINA BRANNAN<br />

Two “Spy” prints, donated by SWCF<br />

Volunteer Committee. - R.J. MORRIS<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> bid a fond farewell to Executive Assistant Cecilia Podger,<br />

who couldn’t resist the lure of her four tiny granddaughters and decided to take early<br />

retirement to spend more time with them. Pictured above are staff at Cecilia’s<br />

farewell luncheon at Campbell House. Seated, left to right: Alexandra Chyczij,<br />

Executive Director; Cecilia Podger; Alysia Isidro, Program Coordinator, and<br />

Jessica Grant, Director of Education. Standing, left to right: Johanna O’Brien,<br />

Event and Marketing Coordinator; Jesse Corkery, Program Coordinator; Sonia<br />

Holiad, Director of Marketing and Communications; Robin Black, Receptionist; Elka<br />

Weinstein, Acting Administrator of Campbell House Museum, and Carolyn Cook,<br />

Membership Coordinator.<br />

Cecilia recently discovered a latent passion for travel, and she has plans in place to<br />

explore new destinations. We wish her good health, happy trails and many wonderful<br />

adventures.<br />

Two nights at Fairmont Royal York<br />

Hotel, donated by Fairmont Royal<br />

York Hotel. - STEPHEN GRANT<br />

Entertainment for four at Woodbine<br />

Raceway, donated by Woodbine<br />

Raceway. - PAUL FRENCH<br />

Oil painting by Mel Delija ($300) donated<br />

by Mel Delija. - V. TRAFICANTE<br />

Thank you to prize donors.<br />

Special thanks to all<br />

who purchased tickets.<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005 17


Reception with the Federal Court<br />

Learned Friends<br />

A Tribute to Fifty Remarkable<br />

Ontario Advocates, 1950-2000<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> recently hosted a reception at Campbell House for participants<br />

in its Special Litigation Skills Certificate program titled “Practice Before the<br />

Federal Court.” <strong>The</strong> reception was well-attended by trial and appellate judges,<br />

including <strong>The</strong> Honourable Allan Lutfy, Chief Justice of the Federal Court.<br />

Pictured, left to right: <strong>Society</strong> president Linda Rothstein of Paliare Roland<br />

Rosenberg Rothstein LLP; <strong>The</strong> Honourable Anne L. Mactavish of the Federal<br />

Court; Cliff L. Rand of Stikeman Elliott LLP, and Raj Anand of WeirFoulds LLP.<br />

Ontario Justice Education Network<br />

Recently added to OJEN’s website at http://www.ojen.ca are a number of exciting<br />

new resources and links of interest to teachers and justice system volunteers:<br />

- Links to presentations from Colloquia on the Legal Profession as presented by <strong>The</strong><br />

Chief Justice of Ontario's Advisory Committee on Professionalism. A broad range of<br />

topics relating to the practice of law and the justice system, including “Judges in a<br />

Multicultural <strong>Society</strong>,” “Lawyers in a World Criminal Court” and “Restorative and<br />

Other Models of Justice.”<br />

- Link to the recent report by the Honourable Marion Boyd, former attorney general,<br />

examining the use of arbitration based on religious law to resolve disputes in family<br />

and inheritance cases.<br />

- “You Are <strong>The</strong> Judge” scenario, developed from a law symposium presentation by<br />

the Honourable Justice June Maresca of the Ontario Court of Justice for use by justice<br />

sector volunteers speaking with students. Designed to enable students to consider<br />

and explore concepts of justice and sentencing.<br />

- “A <strong>Brief</strong> History of the Justice of the Peace Bench.” Outlines the origins of the<br />

bench, as well as the duties and jurisdiction of today’s justices of the peace.<br />

Other new resources are in the works as well. As part of this year’s celebration of the<br />

20th anniversary of section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,<br />

OJEN, in collaboration with Network partner the Department of Justice, is working on<br />

new Landmark Case Resources that examine important section 15 cases.<br />

Also, an updated version of OJEN’s Grade 10 Civics resource, “Values of the Justice<br />

System,” which will incorporate the new Ministry of Education Grade 10 curriculum<br />

expectations, is underway.<br />

All members are invited to<br />

attend the launch reception<br />

on Tuesday, <strong>Sept</strong>ember 27 at<br />

Convocation Hall.<br />

Look for the flier in our late-<br />

August general mailing.<br />

Registration required, please.<br />

Campbell House:<br />

Impress Your Guests<br />

Campbell House is the home of <strong>The</strong><br />

Advocates’ <strong>Society</strong> and members are<br />

encouraged to rent this enchanting<br />

historic venue for their private and<br />

professional events.<br />

Built in 1822, Georgian-style<br />

Campbell House is conveniently<br />

located on the northwest corner of<br />

University Avenue and Queen Street.<br />

It is an elegant setting for events of<br />

all kind.<br />

Catering is provided by<br />

1055 Restaurant & Catering<br />

For additional information,<br />

please contact<br />

Karen Vallipuram<br />

at 416-482-8485<br />

THE ROBINETTE DINING ROOM<br />

WILL RE-OPEN FOR LUNCH<br />

ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6<br />

18<br />

VOLUME 17, NO. 1, SUMMER 2005

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!