PAIR OF LAWYERS DISBARRED
Two Toronto-area lawyers have lost their licences to practise, the Law Society of Upper Canada said last week.
Toronto lawyer Edmund Anthony Clarke was found to have engaged in professional misconduct for knowingly participating in fraudulent and dishonest conduct in order to induce or attempt to induce mortgagees to approve mortgage loans in favour of his spouse and preparing, delivering or registering falsified or unauthorized documents or instructing others to do so.
He must also pay the law society $1,000 in costs.
Bradly Johnston Vance of Whitby, Ont., was also disbarred over findings that included failing to promptly respond to the law society regarding four complaints.
The LSUC also found he had breached an order not to practise law and failed to maintain the integrity of the profession by advising two clients to sign documents knowing they weren’t witnessed in accordance with the requirements. He must pay $7,000 in costs.
FMC LOSES FOUNDER
Philippe Casgrain, one of the founders of Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, has died after losing a battle with cancer.
“Mr. Casgrain’s career, which began in 1952 at the firm of Magee O’Donnell & Byers where he became a partner in 1958, was a reflection of this charismatic figure, who will remain indelibly engraved in our memories: energetic, active, accomplished, striking, and enormously successful,” said Claude Morency, managing partner of FMC’s Montreal office.
“He was one of those people who make an impression wherever they go and who are unforgettable. Of course, this is a great loss for the entire legal community, not just for Mr. Casgrain’s immediate family and our firm.”
During his career, Casgrain was president of the Junior Bar Association in Montreal and chairman of the Canadian Bar Association’s committee on commercial law for Quebec.
He also served on the boards of various corporations and was active in a number of cultural and social organizations.
REPRODUCTIVE LAW
The Law Society of Upper Canada will host a panel of experts today on the issue of assisted human reproductive technologies to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The panel will discuss the impact the 2004 Assisted Human Reproduction Act has had on the social, ethical, and legal questions that arise from the issue.
Panellists include infertility counsellor Sherry Dale, fertility specialist Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Rachel Epstein of the LGBTQ Parenting Network, and lawyer Kelly Jordan. Audrey Johnson, executive director of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, will moderate the discussion.
The event will be held at the Donald Lamont Learning Centre in Toronto.
Epstein’s daughter, Sadie Epstein-Fine, will speak at a reception following the panel discussion. She’ll share her story about being conceived through assisted human reproduction and having two mothers.
NEW PARTNERS AT FMC
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP has appointed 10 new partners at its offices across Canada.
“Through our commitment to our clients and our people, we encourage and promote talent from within,” said firm CEO Chris Pinnington. “These new partners exemplify our firm’s ability to provide unparalleled legal excellence.”
In Toronto, the new hires are James Clare, Matthew Fleming, and Ralph Shay. Other partners will work out of Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Calgary.
