Toronto Lawyers Association

8th Annual Articling Students and Masters' Motions

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Thursday, September 13th, 2012
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Registration to begin at 4:00
Followed by wine & cheese 6:00 - 7:00
TLA Lawyers Lounge, 2nd floor, 361 University Avenue Court House

 

Professionalism is required in any civil matter, but is on public display to opposing counsel and the court when appearing on motions. This CPD program is a primer aimed at articling students as they begin arguing Masters' Motions and has lessons on professionalism, ethics and practice management throughout the program.

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Bill 34 - Courthouse Security - Contact your MPP Today

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Bill 34 will allow police and court security officers to search all persons, including lawyers, seeking to enter a courthouse. Contact your MPP today and ask that the bill be amended to exempt lawyers.

Under the proposed legislation, sections of the Police Services Act will allow for a search without warrant any person, vehicle or property in a person’s custody seeking access to a public courthouse.  These search powers would include a person’s lawyer, and could expose privileged communications between a lawyer and their client when applied.  It is the view of TLA that it is neither reasonable nor necessary to include lawyers in the search powers contemplated by this legislation as it relates to courthouses.

Accordingly, TLA and the County and District Law Presidents’ Association (CDLPA) have requested an amendment to the legislation that would exempt lawyers from the search powers of the Act upon presentation of valid TLA or Law Society of Upper Canada credentials.  This would enshrine in legislation the currently accepted practice acknowledged in courthouses throughout Ontario.

An overview of the legislation prepared by CDLPA  is available, along with the written submissions made by TLA President Chris Matthews to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

This week the Justice Policy committee is considering amendments to Bill 34 based upon written submissions and presentations to the committee.  After this review, there is no opportunity for amendments or to influence the legislation. Accordingly, please email your MPP today! A template letter to send to your MPP can be found here and a link to contact information for all of the MPPs is as follows:

 

          http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do

 

Awards

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The TLA Award of Distinction is awarded for excellence of the recipient's contribution to the integrity and worth of the law and to the legal profession.

This year the Awards Ceremony was held on March 1, 2012 at the Grand Banking Hall.  The TLA was pleased to honour The Honourable Ian C. Binnie for his many achievements; his work has enhanced and enriched all Toronto lawyers.  To read Canadian Lawyer's coverage of the event please follow the link provided below.

Binnie lauded by TLA

View the embedded image gallery online at:
http://www.tlaonline.ca/#sigProGalleria27974a4831

Share An Articling Student

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Interested in joint Articles?  Click Here for more information.

 

Articling positions needed – small firms can benefit too

Articling is in crisis in Ontario. There are many causes and Law Society has proposed many possible solutions. At the Toronto Lawyers Association we look forward to hearing your comments to assist us in preparing our recommendations to the Law Society. The Committee will be in touch in the near future.

But separate and apart from that I would urge those of you (particularly from small and solo firms) to consider hiring an articling student for the 2012-2013 articling year.  Click here to see an email from Osgoode Hall Law School which indicates that many excellent students still are still without positions.

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