Canada

Canada’s Colin Lachance is blazing a ‘new frontier for free legal information’

The Canadian Legal Information Institute was already a smashing success—and the envy of many in the free law movement—even before Colin Lachance took over as president in April 2011. Founded in 2001, CanLII is the largest free legal database in the country. As Lachance explains, the concept for CanLII came…

Sep 16, 2014 8:30 AM CDT

New trouble for Justin Bieber, charged in ATV accident and fight

What was supposed to be a quiet vacation for actor Justin Bieber in the Canadian community in which he grew up has resulted in new trouble for the popular singer. Bieber, 20, was released on his own recognizance after being charged in a Friday traffic accident and subsequent altercation in…

Sep 2, 2014 4:55 PM CDT

OK nonlawyer ownership of firms, says Canadian bar

In a report published Thursday, the Globe & Mail reports, the Canadian Bar Association recommended that nonlawyers be able to own law firms. The suggestions were detailed in Futures: Transforming the Delivery of Legal Services in Canada (PDF). The CBA is a voluntary group, and the Canadian legal profession is…

Aug 14, 2014 9:10 PM CDT

Woman is convicted of causing 2 deaths by stopping for ducklings on highway, faces maximum of life

A jury in Montreal convicted a Canadian woman on Friday of causing two deaths when she stopped her car in a highway traffic lane in 2010 to rescue a family of half a dozen ducklings. Although Emma Czornobaj, 25, lacked criminal intent, she nonetheless faces a maximum life prison term…

Jun 23, 2014 10:25 PM CDT

Canada grants asylum to US woman sentenced to 30 years for having sex with teen

A mortgage broker who fled Florida with her family after being criminally convicted in 2008 for having sex with a 16-year-old boy on her son’s baseball team has been granted asylum in Canada. Denise Harvey, 47, won the rare permission to apply for permanent residency because her 30-year sentence was…

Jun 10, 2014 9:40 PM CDT

Top corporate lawyer suspended for comments that led to ‘Scud Stud a Dud’ election article

Updated: One of Canada’s top corporate lawyers has been suspended from practice for four months for her role in a negative 2008 news column about a former NBC war correspondent running for a seat on the Alberta legislature. Kristine Robidoux admitted Monday that she had been one of the sources…

May 28, 2014 2:02 PM CDT

Forced retirement of law firm partners gets green light from Canada’s top court

A longtime equity partner at a major Canadian law firm has lost his battle against a policy requiring him to retire at age 65. Ruling Thursday in a much-watched case brought by John Michael “Mitch” McCormick against Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, the country’s top court said partners do not qualify as…

May 22, 2014 7:44 PM CDT

In rare criminal case award, government must pay record $580K to defense lawyers over mistrial

In a ruling seldom seen in a criminal case, a Canadian judge has ordered the government to pay a record $580,000 to criminal defense lawyers after a mistrial. The Tuesday award in an Ontario Superior Court kidnapping case is intended to cover the entire cost to the defense of the…

May 8, 2014 5:25 PM CDT

Is Wal-Mart law coming to the US? Retailer adds lawyers on site for Toronto-area shoppers

Shoppers at a handful of Wal-Mart stores in the Toronto area can consult with lawyers whose offices are conveniently on site. The law offices are staffed by Axess Law, which aims to offer fast and affordable legal services to Wal-Mart shoppers, the Toronto Star reports. The newspaper visited a bright-orange…

May 8, 2014 5:06 PM CDT

Lawyers say ‘woefully inadequate’ courthouse meals threaten clients’ defense

Skimpy meals served to jail inmates appearing in court in at least one Canadian province leaves them too hungry to defend themselves properly, some lawyers say. So they have been filing motions to get more food for their clients. It is undisputed that lunch for inmates at Ontario courthouses commonly…

Apr 21, 2014 11:00 AM CDT

Police officer critically wounded, suspect dead in shooting that locked down Canadian courthouse

A police officer was critically wounded Friday in a shooting near the entrance of a Canadian courthouse located in a suburb of Toronto. Those in the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton scrambled as shots were heard, and lawyers, judges and others were locked into courtrooms as police…

Mar 28, 2014 4:30 PM CDT

Canadian lawyer leads team to gold medal in Olympic curling event

A 39-year-old Canadian lawyer was jubilant Thursday after leading her team to a gold medal in the women’s curling event at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, the Star reports. “We’re Olympic gold medalists,” said Jennifer Jones. “It’s something that you dream of for your entire life. It’s what every…

Feb 21, 2014 12:00 AM CST

DLA Piper ends talks with Heenan Blaikie group, will look elsewhere for Canadian merger partner

A potential merger between DLA Piper and a group of lawyers from Heenan Blaikie that would have established a Canadian office for the global megafirm is going nowhere. However, DLA Piper will be looking elsewhere for a possible match to establish a Canadian office for the more than 4,000-attorney firm,…

Feb 10, 2014 6:45 PM CST

DLA Piper may expand to Canada, is in ‘deep negotiations’ with group of Heenan Blaikie lawyers

DLA Piper has 4,200 lawyers in 30 countries. That doesn’t include Canada, but that may soon change. The mega-firm is talking with 60 to 70 lawyers from the Calgary and Toronto offices of Heenan Blaikie, who are forming their own group following a decision Wednesday night by the partners of…

Feb 7, 2014 1:00 PM CST

Storied Canadian firm to begin ‘orderly wind-up’ but some offices and practices will stay in place

A major Canadian law firm that has lost dozens of lawyers recently announced Wednesday night after a partner meeting that it will begin an “orderly wind-up.” However, there will be no interruption in client service, and a number of Heenan Blaikie practice groups and offices will continue to operate under…

Feb 6, 2014 12:45 PM CST