Lenczner Slaght - General News

Lenczner Slaght Welcomes Two New Partners

January 30, 2012 (Toronto) – Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP is pleased to announce Eli Lederman and Matthew Sammon have been admitted to the firms partnership.

Lenczner Slaght and the Refugee Law Office (RLO) are working together on an exciting new project.

The law firm will be providing pro bono assistance to the RLO in two key areas:

• conducting detention hearings in jails and at the Toronto Immigration Holding Centre, before members of the Immigration and Refugee Board; and

• bringing applications to stay removal orders, on an emergency basis, in the Federal Court.

By working together, we can significantly expand the availability of legal services to refugees. Lenczner Slaght’s lawyers and students, with their trademark advocacy skills, look forward to collaborating with the RLO team.

Will McDowell spoke on a panel on Law, ethics, and municipal government

at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law conference Is there Planning Law or just City Politics? on January 13, 2012. Will was joined by Lorne Sossin – Dean, Osgoode Hall Law School. They offered differing perspectives on the Mississauga Judicial Inquiry.

Glenn Smith and Matthew Lerner, counsel to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, successfully defended against a $2 million claim by season seat holder

In a case arising out of a seat reconfiguration at Air Canada Centre for Toronto Raptors basketball games, Justice Beth Allen of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has found that DLF Solutions Inc. and its principal Mark Michalkoff failed to establish that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment breached the plaintiffs’ Personal Seat License by reconfiguring several courtside seats prior to the 2007 basketball season. In demonstrating that the plaintiffs’ evidence regarding alleged pre-contractual representations was evasive and inconsistent and, by satisfying the Court that Maple Leaf Sports had in no way misrepresented the amenities associated with the plaintiffs’ seats, Lenczner Slaght was successful in defeating DLF’s claim in its entirety.

Canada’s Premiere Litigation Moot Gets New Name, New Sponsors

January 5, 2012 (Toronto) – Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP and the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) are pleased to announce a five-year commitment to sponsor the Gale Cup Moot, one of Canada’s most prestigious bilingual law-school mooting competitions.

Read Lawrence Thacker and Jon Laxer's article Arbitration (International) Recent Developments of Importance

This article originally appeared in the The 2012 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.

Read Linda Fuerst's Securities Litigation article

The 2011/2012 Lexpert® CCCA/ACCJE Corporate Counsel Directory and Yearbook © Thomson Reuters Canada Limited.

Read Linda Fuerst's article Limits on enforceability of restrictive covenants

This article originally appeared in the October 21, 2011, issue of The Lawyers Weekly published by LexisNexis Canada Inc.

Linda Fuerst is moderating a panel on Securities Litigation In Flux: Impact on Securities Litigation Practice of Canadian Court Decisions on the National Securities Regulator, Multiple Exchanges and the TSX/LSE Merger

at the Canadian Institute's 10th Annual Advanced Forum on Securities Litigation and Enforcement on October 26, 2011.

Read David Quayat's article Victims of terrorism: Compensation legislation likely ineffective

This article originally appeared in the October 21, 2011, issue of The Lawyers Weekly published by LexisNexis Canada Inc.”

Emily Graham a panel member at Northeastern Ontario CPD 2011 Conference

Dena Varah discusses Issue Estoppel Between Civil, Criminal and Administrative Proceedings at Osgoode’s 7th Annual National Forum: Administrative Law & Practice on October 19, 2011

Tom Curry demonstrates the role of Counsel in the Expert Evidence Demo during Osgoode’s 8th Annual Conference: Evidence Law for the Civil Litigator on October 24-25, 2011

Tom Curry, Monique Jilesen and Brendan Gray counsel to Devonshire Trust in successfully defending against at $1.2 billion claim by Barclays Bank PLC

As reported in the Financial Times, in a case arising out of the disruption of the Canadian Asset Backed Commercial Paper market in August, 2007, Justice Frank Newbould of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has found that Barclays Bank PLC failed to act in good faith and made fraudulent misrepresentations to Devonshire Trust, an ABCP conduit. As a result, Devonshire was successful in defeating Barclays' claim to recover the assets of Devonshire Trust. Barclays' Loss of $1.2 billion was denied.

J. Thomas Curry discusses Best Practices for Dealing with Litigation Holds Establishing an E-Document Retention Policy Framework at the E-Discovery for Government Event , September 14 & 15, 2011

Read Linda Fuerst's Article in the July 15, 2011 edition of The Lawyers Weekly on the Maple Group Offer for the TMX

Ronald Slaght - Recipient of the Law Society Medal

The Law Society Medal is the Law Society of Upper Canada’s top honour, and is awarded for outstanding service within the profession. Congratulations Ronald, you are a truly deserving recipient of the Medal.

Will McDowell - The Will To Make Things Happen

We would like to congratulate Will on his recent success in the Bencher elections. Will’s success is a testament to his sterling reputation in the practice and his hard work in the campaign. Congratulations Will from all of us at Lenczner Slaght.

Congratulations to the winners of our Law School Career Fair Contest:

Alana Penny, Osgoode Hall Law School; Sajjad Jaffer, University of Ottawa; and Andrew McLean, University of Windsor. Alana, Sajjad and Andrew will spend a day in court with one of our top litigators.

Read more »

Lenczner Slaght partners with Western Law in Legal Ethics and Professionalism initiative

Down the rabbit hole: The Magna Investors' Tale

Read Linda Fuerst's article in the Lawyer's Weekly on the Ontario Securities Commission's recent decision in In the Matter of Magna International Inc.

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Lenczner Slaght - The Pick of the Crop - One of Top Ten Litigation Boutiques

Will McDowell and Ryan Breedon obtained a rare stay of a discipline prosecution by the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario

Peter Griffin discusses securities class actions at the 8th National Symposium on Class Actions, April 28-29, 2011

Lawrence Thacker to speak on panel discussion "Achieving Optimal Results in High-Stake Litigation" at the 2011 CCCA National Spring Conference

Matt Sammon speaks about Anton Piller Awards in the preservation of electronic evidence at the Law Society of Upper Canada program on Mastering the Art of Complex Civil Motions, March 31, 2011

Alan Lenczner speaks at Les Conférences J.-Fernand-Landry March 17, 2011

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Monique Jilesen will be a skills instructor at the Advocates' Society Workshop, Leading Your Case: Opening Statements and Examination-in-chief on March 2, 2011

Glenn Smith to Speak at Complex, Mega and Advanced Litigation Conference February 28, 2011

Pinta Maguire on Litigation Panel at the Black Law Students Association Conference on February 25, 2011.

Strategy Behind the Cases - February 17, 2011

Lawrence Thacker is speaking at the University of Toronto Litigation Association's luncheon discussing some of the tactical decisions and strategies he employs in his cases.

Toronto Law Journal article on The Importance of the Vote: The Test for Approval of Plans of Arrangement, by Linda Fuerst

Linda Fuerst presenting at The Advocates' Society Court House Series on February 24, 2011 - Fighting Back: Conducting an Effective Cross-Examination

Linda Fuerst speaking about Direct Examination and Cross Examination at the OBA program on February 25, 2011: Your First Civil Trial

Peter Griffin speaking about Effective Legal Risk Management During a Crisis at Osgoode Professional Development CLE: The Advanced Legal Guide to Advising the Public Company Board of Directors, January 26 and 27, 2011

Peter Griffin speaking at The Advocates' Society Civil Litigation Skills program on Cross-Examination on Thursday, January 27, 2011

Lawyers Weekly article on Exploring the Limits of Public Interest by Tom Curry and Kate Morris

Ryan Stewart Breedon represents victim of sexual assault in important consent case

Alan Lenczner appeals first environmental class action trial decision

Linda Fuerst to appear on behalf of British Columbia Investment Management Corporation in Divisional Court on appeal of decision to approve Magna International Inc.'s plan of arrangement

Alan Lenczner named one of top 25 most influential lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine

Linda Fuerst moderating panel of Canadian Securities Regulators at Canadian Institute program on Securities Litigation and Enforcement in Toronto on October 19-20

Linda Fuerst speaking at Federated Press conference on Conducting Regulatory Investigations in Ottawa on September 27, 2010

Linda Fuerst quoted extensively in recent Law Times article on a national securities regulator

Alan Lenczner to appear in the Court of Appeal on behalf of former Hydro One Executive

Mississauga Inquiry set to begin with William McDowell as Commission Counsel

Lenczner Slaght concludes a landmark settlement of the tobacco smuggling litigation, on behalf of the Government of Canada, leading to guilty pleas and fines of $1.7 B payable to the federal, provincial and territorial governments

Ronald Slaght awarded Advocates' Society Medal

The Advocates' Society has awarded the Advocates' Society Medal, the highest expression of esteem that the Society can convey to one of its members, to Ronald Slaght. It is intended to honour those who have demonstrated their preeminence as counsel and who are acknowledged unequivocally as leaders of the Bar; who have been dedicated and active members of the Advocates' Society; and who have made a significant contribution to the legal profession and to the well being of the community at large.

Ronald Slaght and Nadia Campion successful in having court dismiss claim for negligent misrepresentation.in certification of a class action against investment banks

Canadian Lawyer names Lenczner Slaght top 10 boutique in Canada

Glenn Smith quoted in the Ottawa Citizen on potential impact of new summary judgment rule

Linda Fuerst's article in The Lawyers Weekly on constitutional challenges to the proposed federal securities regulatory regime

Click here »

Tom Curry represents former NHL referee in his battle for reinstatement

Peter Griffin retained to appeal denial of $15-million award for personal injury

Alan Lenczner heads defence team against $400-million class action lawsuit

Peter Griffin speaks at the Osgoode Professional Development CLE on Effective Legal Risk Management During a Crisis

February 18, 2010

Click here »

Social Media: What You Need To Know - January 13, 2010

Will McDowell speaks about the increased use of social networking websites giving rise to several recent precedent-setting cases at Osgoode's Lunch N' Learn teleseminar.

Peter Griffin featured on the cover of Lexpert's 2009 Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers in Canada

Click here »

"Mississauga Judicial Inquiry - "a great deal remains unknown" Will McDowell

The City of Mississauga Judicial Inquiry opened on Monday, December 14, 2009, and is now adjourned for preparatory investigative work. The Inquiry is to resume no later than March 1, 2010.

The Trouble With Ponzi Class Actions

Read what Glenn Smith has to say in the Financial Post regarding class actions as a means to recover lost money.

Managing Risk to Limit Exposure

While companies might not be able to prevent class action litigation, Ronald Slaght encourages a proactive approach to minimize liability.

Tom Curry Representing Referee Dean Warren in Hearings Before the Ontario Labour Relations Board

Prosecuting and Defending Professional Discipline Cases: December 3-4, 2009

Linda Fuerst and Peter Osborne feature as course leaders in this Osgoode Professional Development CLE which gives expert guidance on all aspects of handling professional discipline files.

Nina Bombier discusses Assessing Duties and Powers with respect to the investigative process.

William McDowell and Naomi Loewith appointed to Judicial Inquiry

William McDowell has been appointed as Commission Counsel, and Naomi Loewith has been named Associate Commission Counsel, to the judicial inquiry to be conducted into the potential conflicts of interest with respect to the City of Mississauga's purchase of lands within the City Centre.

Mark Veneziano, a Lexpert Rising Star

Mark Veneziano was honoured as one of Canada’s Leading Lawyers Under 40 at a Gala Dinner on November 12, 2009. The event paid tribute to the accomplishments of the Rising Stars of the legal community from law firms and in-house. Congratulations Mark!

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Lenczner Slaght is sponsoring Gold Medal Plates Event on November 19, 2009

Gold Medal Plates is a celebration of Canadian athletic achievement while at the same time featuring excellence in cuisine, wine, entertainment and in support of Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Athletes.

Dressed to Bill

Lenczner Slaght sponsors Precedent Magazine's Second Annual Fashion Event on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009. Ten brave Toronto lawyers, including our own Kate McGrann, will model the hottest looks for Fall and Winter at Precedent's second anniversary celebration where law meets style.

Hot Topics in Expert Evidence

Linda Fuerst chairs breakfast program at the Toronto Lawyers' Association on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. This practical, information-packed session features leading civil and criminal practitioners who will provide substantive and procedural updates on the changing role of experts in litigation.

Advanced Litigation Skills Certificate Program: Advanced Practical Advocacy: Refreshed and Refined

Linda Fuerst speaks on What Criminal Lawyers Can Teach Civil Litigators about Evidence and Admissibility on October 30, 2009 at the Advanced Litigation Skills Certificate Program.

BNN talks to Linda Fuerst about Tang and his Ponzi Scheme

Click here »

Peter Osborne is co-presenting a program at CLEAR's 2009 Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado on September 12th, 2009 - Coloring Between the Lines - Weaving Together the Investigation and the Prosecution.

Glenn Smith speaks at Canadian Institute's 10th Annual National Forum on Class Actions Litigation - September 23-24, 2009 in Toronto

Glenn Smith participates on the panel discussing the practicalities of managing class actions litigation and conducting e-discovery.

"The Woman Advocate: Is There a Difference?"

Linda Fuerst will act as a mentor at the Advocates' Society conference on October 1, 2009: "The Woman Advocate: Is There a Difference?"

"What Criminal Lawyers Can Teach Civil Litigators About Evidence and Admissibility"

Linda Fuerst is speaking at the Advocates' Society Advanced Practical Advocacy Program on October 30, 2009 on "What Criminal Lawyers Can Teach Civil Litigators About Evidence and Admissibility".

Osgoode's Professional Development CLE: The Thirteenth Annual Course on Written Advocacy

Peter Griffin is part of a team of trial and appellate judges, writing professionals and top legal practitioners to give instruction on how to improve written argument at Osgoode's Professional Development CLE: The Thirteenth Annual Course on Written Advocacy, November 13-14, 2009.

Glenn Smith presents at Osgoode Professional Development CLE in preparation for Rule changes - June 10 and 11, 2009 in Toronto

Glenn speaks about the impact of the Ontario Civil Procedure Rule changes, coming into effect on January 1, 2010, in a session entitled "The Law on Discovery and Production of Electronic Evidence: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?".

Peter Griffin and Jamie Spotswood set aside trial judgment from 22 day arson trial due to failure of trial judge to make vital credibility findings.

Court of Appeal applies latest Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence on adequacy of reasons of trial judges.

Will McDowell appears in the Ottawa trial of Mayor Larry O'Brien as a friend of the court in a hearing on the use of cameras and blackberries in the courtroom

Linda Fuerst and Paola Calce teach at the 2009 Osgoode Hall Law School Part-time LLM Program on Securities Law - May 7, 2009

Linda and Paola lectured on private securities law remedies, including common law and statutory causes of action under the Securities Act and corporate legislation, and certification of class proceedings pursuant to s. 138 of the Securities Act.

Ronald Slaght speaks at the CBA Program “Advocacy Before the Federal Court in Intellectual Property Matters – Appeal Proceedings”, April 30, 2009 in Gatineau.

Ronald speaks for the appellant about writing the persuasive factum, making a strong first impression, emphasizing strengths and selecting and organizing the most effective facts. Ron is also part of the panel which will discuss Supreme Court of Canada Issues on intervention, bringing motions, and handling the media and other publicity issues.

Peter Osborne provides an update and review of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 on May 4, 2009

Peter presented to members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario at the 2009 Barbara Wand Seminar in Professional Ethics, Standards and Conduct.

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Glenn Smith and Linda Fuerst present at the Osgoode Professional Development CLE: 3rd Annual Managing Internal and Regulatory Investigations on April 20, 2009 in Toronto

Linda's panel discussed managing external enforcement investigations by securities regulatory agencies, including procedural fairness in OSC investigations and procedures. Glenn addressed what general counsel, compliance officers and related professionals need to know about the preservation and collection of electronic evidence.

OSC Procedural Trends and Fairness »

Linda Fuerst co-chairs a Special Litigation Presentation on April 17, 2009 at the Advocates' Society: The Judges Respond

Judges from across the province talk frankly about what issues the bench feels the profession should be meeting, and how counsel can improve their performance as advocates, and the results they achieve for their client.

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Ensuring Cost Effective and Compliant E-Discovery Power Point Presentation - Glenn Smith

Anne Posno's Home Featured in Precedent Magazine

Ronald Slaght, Peter Osborne and Kris Borg-Olivier feature in the Big Suits section of the April issue of Lexpert Magazine for their representation of Société Générale in the settlement of a class action approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Alan Lenczner: “Rebel with a Cause”

Alan and several other members of the “Dickson Circle” are featured in the April issue of Lexpert Magazine for their rewarding pro bono work.

Linda Fuerst speaks at Canadian Institute's 8th Annual Advanced Forum on Securities Litigation and Enforcement on Procedural Fairness in OSC Investigations and Proceedings

in Toronto on April 20 and 21, 2009 on "New Procedural Issues and Litigation Trends at OSC Hearings: What Every Securities Litigator Needs to Know Now".

OSC Procedural Trends and Fairness »

Nina Bombier and Anne Posno speaking at the OBA PD Program: Critical Issues in Health Law: Case Law and Legislation Updates, on April 17, 2009 in Toronto

Nina will discuss the implications of Gore v. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for the prosecution and defence of professional misconduct complaints. Anne will provide a case law update on wrongful life and the duty of care owed to a fetus.

U.S. Libel Tourism Law Silences Foreign Courts

Read what William McDowell has to say in The Lawyers Weekly, March 27, 2009, on US libel tourism and the Libel Terrorism Protection Act passed in New York State in 2008.

Firm sponsors Spring 2009 CCCA Conference in Montreal

Glenn Smith moderates Panel 301 on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 9:45am – 11:15am - Ensuring Cost Effective and Compliant E-Discovery

The sheer volume of electronic information produced in the course of business today presents a serious challenge for corporations that initiate or become embroiled in litigation. In this session, leading e-discovery experts will share proactive approaches to help you get control of discoverable electronic content and preventative strategies and technology solutions that can help any legal department control the rising costs of e-discovery, including how to ensure your evidence will be admissible in court and how protect your legal team and your IT department from being overwhelmed by demands for production. Learn how corporate counsel and IT managers are working together to save time and money by finding smart ways to store, search and produce electronic evidence.

“A Lawyer’s Duty to Ensure Access to Justice” by William McDowell and Usman M. Sheikh, prepared for The Advocates’ Society Symposium on Professionalism (27 January 2009)

Eli Lederman Speaks at the Canadian Institute's 9th Annual Conference

Eli Lederman, one of the faculty speaking at the Canadian Institute's 9th Annual Conference on Managing Legal Risks and Responsibilities in Mental Health Care on April 2-3, 2009 at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto. Eli will speak on the topic of "Managing the Risk of Liability Posed by Suicidal or Violent Patients: Developing a Suicide Prevention Program".

Linda Fuerst and Lawrence Thacker: A Trial from A to Z

Linda Fuerst will speak on "Trial Preparation", and Lawrence Thacker will be providing individualized feedback to participants at The Advocates' Society Civil Litigation Skills Development Program: A Trial from A to Z on April 1, 2009 in Toronto.

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6th General Counsel's Role in Maximizing Board Effectiveness Course

Lawrence Thacker was an instructor at the Federated Press’ Sixth Annual Intensive Seminar on General Counsel’s Role in Maximizing Board Effectiveness on March 11-12, 2009. Lawrence Thacker delivered a paper called Counsel as the Board’s Information Gatekeepers. The seminar was attended by a large number of general counsel for Canadian and U.S. corporations.

Will McDowell, amicus curiae, advises talking the best solution in injunction case against native protestors

Will McDowell, appointed amicus curiae (or friend of the court), advises the court of the best recourse legally and sensibly in the injunction brought against native protestors by the City of Brantford. To read the full article in The Brantford Expositor click below.

The Lawyer's Weekly publishes article by Linda Fuerst "National securities legislation doesn’t protect Canadians."

Ronald Slaght, Monique Jilesen and Michael Hunziker successful at trial in setting aside judgment on the grounds of fraud

Ronald Slaght to receive the Toronto Lawyers' Association Award of Distinction

Ronald Slaght to receive the Toronto Lawyers' Association Award of Distinction on February 12, 2009 for his contribution to the integrity and worth of the law and to the legal profession

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Ronald Slaght quoted in the Financial Post on recalls and product liability claims

Linda Fuerst speaks at Canadian Institute's 19th Annual Securities Superconference on the Right Against Self-incrimination: Disclosure in Cross-Border Investigations

in Toronto February 17 and 18, 2009 on "Update on Securities Enforcement in Canada and Beyond"

Right Against Self-Incrimination »

Alan Lenczner speaks at dinner for the Toronto Litigator's Group, an informal group of young civil litigators co founded by Jamie Spotswood.

Elizabeth Dipchand comments on recent IP Supreme Court decision in Lawyers Weekly

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