Lapper Resigns New Cla President Convictions Overturned Law Times Poll
LAPPER RESIGNS
Robert Lapper has submitted his resignation as chief executive officer of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Lapper will be in the position until Oct. 31.
“After almost six years as CEO of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario) I have decided that it is time to leave, to focus on new opportunities and life priorities. The opportunity to have been involved in so many of the ambitious and innovative policy and regulatory initiatives of this Law Society over the past five years has been deeply gratifying and unfailingly interesting,” he said in a news release.
“I leave feeling pleased and passionate about the accomplishments of this organization over that time, knowing that the Law Society has both a strong organizational foundation and an openness to new ideas that will serve it well as it approaches future challenges in legal services regulation and access to justice.”
Diana Miles, executive director of organizational strategy and professional competence at the Law Society of Upper Canada, will be acting CEO after Lapper’s departure.
NEW CLA PRESIDENT
Michael Lacy, a partner at Brauti Thorning Zibarras LLP, has been acclaimed as the next Criminal Lawyers’ Association president.
“One of the priorities for the Criminal Lawyers’ Association is ensuring that Legal Aid Ontario is properly funded and that cases that are approved for Legal Aid are funded properly.
The reality is that there are many ‘working poor’ Ontario residents who come into conflict with the law that are not qualifying for Legal Aid assistance to help them navigate through the criminal justice system,” said Lacy.
CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED
The Ontario Court of Appeal has overturned manslaughter convictions for two co-appellants following a rare concession by the Crown.
The decision, released Sept. 25, overturns the sentences imposed against George Cooke and his nephew Matthew Cooke in a 2015 jury trial presided over by Justice Jane Milanetti and orders a new trial.
Christopher Hicks, a partner with Hicks Adams LLP, represented George Cooke at trial. Jessica Zita, associate with Hicks Adams and junior counsel on George Cooke’s appeal, says the concession and the ultimate decision came in response to their factum, as Matthew Cooke’s counsel argued their appeal on different grounds, but the co-appellants both suffered from the same jury charge and, therefore, both had their convictions overturned.
LAW TIMES POLL
Some lawyers say the Law Society of Upper Canada needs to implement entity regulation to significantly boost diversity in the legal profession.
Readers were asked if they thought that entity regulation was necessary to best achieve diversity initiatives.
About 24 per cent said yes, any efforts will be largely inconsequential without bringing law firms under the LSUC’s regulatory control.
Another 76 per cent said no, the measures already taken are an important first step that will have noticeable effects.
