LAO RECOGNIZES BARBARA JACKMAN
Legal Aid Ontario last week presented Toronto lawyer Barbara Jackman the Sidney B. Linden Award, an honour bestowed each year to “exceptional individuals who demonstrate a commitment to ensuring access to justice for low-income people,” according to LAO.
“Barbara Jackman’s reputation of being one of Canada’s most effective advocates for immigration and refugee rights makes her the ideal candidate for the 2008 Sidney B. Linden Award,” said selection committee chairman Aly Alibhai in a release.
“She embodies the spirit of this award through her tireless work ensuring access to justice for disadvantaged people across the province.”
Jackman has practisced law for some 30 years, during which time she has been dedicated to initiatives aiding people in low-income brackets by promoting immigration and refugee rights.
“Ms. Jackman is dedicated to public service and to her community,” said LAO. “She works tirelessly taking on groundbreaking cases to bring about changes in the law to protect the rights of immigrants and refugees. She continues to take legal aid cases, is a mentor, as well as a leader and a member of various community associations.”
Jackman has been an instructor in the bar admission program and a lecturer at law faculties at Queen’s University, the University of Toronto, and Osgoode Hall.
She also has lectured at continuing education sessions for the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Canadian Bar Association, and has written extensively.
She received an honourary doctor of law degree in 2007 from the LSUC.
LEX MUNDI UNVEILS PRO BONO GUIDE
Lex Mundi’s pro bono committee has launched a guide it hopes will, among other things, give member firms a framework for developing pro bono work, programs, and culture.
“‘The Guide for Pro Bono Services of Lex Mundi Member Firms’ is the first step in the Lex Mundi pro bono committee’s overall mission, which is to encourage and enhance the delivery of pro bono legal services by Lex Mundi member firms, both individually and together, by providing strategic guidance, advice, and resources to firms in developing and implementing pro bono policies and programs of the highest quality as well as providing a liaison between the member firms and the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation,” said committee chairman Paul Schabas, whose firm Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP is Lex Mundi’s member firm for Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.
A free copy of the guide is available at: www.lexmundi.com/images/lexmundi/PDF/ProBono/ProBono_Guide.pdf.
AG TAKES AIM AT JUSTICE SPEED
The Ministry of the Attorney General has picked Ontario Courts of Justice in Newmarket, North York, and London as “action sites” to speed the wheels of justice.
“Our expert teams will be working closely with all justice participants in these three courthouses initially - but the goal is to identify, test, and implement approaches that will make criminal justice faster province-wide,” said Attorney General Chris Bentley in a release.
“We’re committed to making the justice system more effective for everyone - victims, witnesses, and the public who pay for it.”
Regional Senior Justice Bruce Durno and Senior Crown Attorney Ken Anthony will lead teams working on the initiative, which is the next step in the government’s Justice on Target program, according to the ministry.
NEW HIRES FOR FMC
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP has beefed up its commercial practice in Montreal by appointing two new lawyers, Kiriakos Vanikiotis and Benoit Pepin.
“The addition of Mr. Pepin and Mr. Vanikiotis to FMC’s commercial practice comes at a most appropriate time given the volatile economic situation around the world,” says FMC Montreal managing partner Claude Morency.
“Their extensive experience in this area will complement our energy, financial, and commercial practices in Montreal and further position FMC as a leader in providing sound counsel to Canadian and foreign multinationals as well as local small and mid-sized companies.”
