DAIGNEAULT NEW OBA PRESIDENT
Fleck Law managing partner Pascale Daigneault becomes the new president of the Ontario Bar Association this week.
The Sarnia, Ont.-area personal injury lawyer takes on her new role Aug. 15. Orlando Da Silva, counsel in the Crown Law Office, becomes the OBA’s new first vice president.
Daigneault said she brings with her experience in both large and small law firm contexts.
“I thrived in a large firm environment,” she said in a press release. “I also understand the reality of a small firm, which is the other half of our profession.”
The OBA’s governance structure gives presidents a one-year term before being succeeded by the vice president. The second vice president succeeds the first vice president every year.
Brampton lawyer Edwin Upenieks, a partner at Lawrence Lawrence Stevenson LLP, was elected second vice president.
Outgoing president Morris Chochla, a partner at Forbes Chochla LLP, will stay as a board member.
Daigneault, who is from Montreal, practised law in Edmonton before moving to Sarnia.
FELSKY TO LEAD BLG'S E-DISCOVERY SERVICES
Martin Felsky joins Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Aug. 12 as its national e-discovery counsel. Felsky brings extensive inexperience in advising large corporations, the judiciary, and government on e-discovery, information governance, and litigation preparedness, said the firm.
“The complexity and inherent costs associated with e-discovery are a substantial challenge for any litigation practice,” said Sean Weir, BLG’s national managing partner. “We are delighted to welcome Martin to this new role at BLG to lead our e-discovery and litigation support services.”
Felsky is the co-founder of Commonwealth Legal, which brands itself as Canada’s first full-service litigation support and e-discovery company.
“It is important to be able to demonstrate to clients that we have dedicated e-discovery capabilities that are best in class and respond to the needs of our clients,” said Jeff Vallis, national litigation department leader. “Martin brings extraordinary experience to a team that is already exceptionally strong, which will serve BLG’s clients well.”
OTTAWA LAWYER RECEIVES MEDAL OF APPRECIATION FROM JAMAICA
Ottawa lawyer Deidre Powell has been awarded a medal of appreciation from the Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Powell, who is also a member of the Jamaican Bar Association, is receiving the medial for her “services to Jamaica and Jamaicans in the diaspora.”
Powell said she was “humbled” by the honour. “There is nothing more significant than being honoured by the country of my birth,” she said.
“I’m inspired to keep serving and making a contribution to Jamaica and Jamaicans living in Canada,” she added. “The award is just an inspiration for me to continue to serve locally and internationally.”
Powell’s practice in Ottawa provides services in areas including wills and estate, real estate, business law, and immigration law. The law office provides many of these services in the context of Jamaican law as well.
KRUPAT LEAVES HEENAN BLAIKIE FOR DAVIS
Howard Krupat has left Heenan Blaikie LLP partner to join Davis LLP. The construction and infrastructure litigation lawyer joins Davis’ Toronto office as a partner.
Howard’s addition “cements the firm’s growth in Eastern Canada,” Davis said in a press release.
“Davis continues to broaden the services we provide to our clients especially in this growing industry,” said Rob Seidel, the firm’s managing partner. “Howard brings to the firm significant experience in construction-related dispute resolution. This reflects the firm’s growing demand for market leading expertise.”
Krupat has acted in areas including energy, infrastructure, and retail.
“Howard’s comprehensive experience in construction law will add further breadth and depth to the firm’s national project finance, infrastructure, and public private partnerships group,” the firm said.
“Howard’s addition follows the positive momentum the firm has been building in recent months with the strategic hiring of key partners and associates in its Eastern offices.”
Recently, Davis also bagged former LSUC treasurer and Heenan Blaikie lawyer Gavin MacKenzie.
LAW TIMES POLL
The results of the latest Law Times online poll are in. When it comes to the suggestion that paralegals should be allowed to act in family law matters, the majority of respondents disagreed with a recent Law Commission of Ontario report.
Seventy per cent of participants did not agree that scope of practice rules should be changed to allow paralegals to act in family law matters. The remaining 30 per cent were in favour of the LCO’s recommendation
