lawyer returns to private practice after being appointed prov judge

Breadcrumb Trail Links Local News Crime “In my experience it is unusual for a person to withdraw from a judicial position so soon after being appointed” Published March 01, 2023 • Last updated 2 days ago • 2 minute read 7 Comments Lionel Chartrand discusses a case outside the Edmonton Law Courts in April 2022. Photo by Jonny Wakefield /Postmedia Article content An Edmonton defense lawyer recently appointed as a provincial court judge has decided to return to private practice, the provincial government says. Advertisements 2 This advertisement has not been loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT…
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Law Society of BC disbars Vancouver lawyer for misconduct

An elderly Vancouver lawyer has been disbarred by the Law Society of BC and ordered to pay more than $10,000 for misconduct during more than a dozen real estate transactions that could have facilitated money laundering. A hearing panel of the Law Society Tribunal found that Lubomir Ihor Huculak “failed to make reasonable inquiries of his clients in the face of overwhelming, objectively suspicious circumstances,” according to a news release issued by the law society Wednesday. The statement notes that Huculak has appealed the decision, and his disbarment may be stayed as a result. THE TRANSACTIONS The 15 real…
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While courts still use fax machines, law firms are using AI to tailor arguments for judges

This column is an opinion by Robyn Schleihauf, a writer and a lawyer based in Dartmouth, NS. For more information about CBC’s Opinion section, please see the FAQ. It is no secret that the courts — and other bodies, such as provincial and federal human rights commissions, landlord and tenant boards, workers compensation boards, utility and review boards, etc. — are behind the times when it comes to technology. For decades, these bodies repeatedly failed to adopt new technologies. Many courts still rely primarily on couriers and fax machines. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a suite of changes in the justice…
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U of T Law profs on how AI will make the law ‘radically’ better

Benjamin Alarie, a professor in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, has long believed artificial intelligence will bring seismic change to the legal profession and, accordingly, society – resulting in what he’s dubbed ‘the legal singularity.’ Abdi Aidid and Benjamin Alarie​​​​​ In a forthcoming book, Alerie tackles the topic with Aidid’s servant, who recently joined the faculty as an assistant professor. The pair argue that the proliferation of AI-enabled technology – and specifically the advent of legal prediction – will radically change the law profession and facilitate “a functional ‘completeness’ of law, where the law is at once extraordinarily…
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Further strengthening our gun control laws

Keeping Canadians safe is the Government of Canada’s top priority. We know that one Canadian killed by gun violence is one too many, which is why, two years ago, we banned over 1,500 types of military-style assault firearms. We also strengthened our gun control laws to expand background checks and keep firearms out of the wrong hands. These measures are helping to keep our children and communities safe. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the introduction of new legislation to further strengthen gun control in Canada and keep Canadians safe from gun violence. Bill C-21 puts forward some of…
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Global Law Firms Form New Business and Human Rights Association | News

Vancouver (Canada) – Fasken is a founding member of the Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association (BHRLA). The BHRLA’s member firms will collaborate to advance business and human rights in commercial legal practice. The BHRLA is focused on advancing business and human rights leadership, learning, collaboration and practice among commercial law firms and business lawyers around the world, and respecting these rights as set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The association will support lawyers in advising commercial clients on the human rights risks and opportunities associated with business activities. “Furthering practice excellence by…
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Some (General Court) Decisions Put a SMILE on Your Face

We are used to decisions about non-traditional trade marks not deserving protection in the European Union, leading to the inevitable conclusion that non-traditional trade marks can be difficult to register and keep on the register. The recent McCain decision of the EU General Court seems to go in the opposite direction, providing some guidance on which proof of use will be sufficient for a non-traditional trade mark to stay on the EU register (see here). backgroundsMcCain GmbH applied to register the below smiley potato chip shape (known as the Smiles) for “pre-fried potato croquettes and mashed potato products, deep-frozen” in…
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More than 100 children illegally employed in hazardous jobs, federal investigation finds; food sanitation contractor pays $1.5M in penalties

Packers Sanitation Services Inc. employed minors to use caustic chemicals to clean razor-sharp saws, other high-risk equipment at 13 meat processing facilities in 8 states KIELER, WI – One of the nation’s largest food safety sanitation services providers has paid $1.5 million in civil money penalties after the US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found the company employed at least 102 children – from 13 to 17 years of age – in hazardous occupations and had them working overnight shifts at 13 meat processing facilities in eight states. The employer’s payment of civil money penalties is the result…
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