MILLER THOMSON PARTNER MOVES TO DICKINSON WRIGHT
Corporate lawyer Alan Litwack has joined Dickinson Wright LLP. Litwack, who was previously of Miller Thomson LLP, joins the Toronto office as a partner.
“Mr. Litwack has experience in a wide range of industries including high-tech, telecommunications, retail, clean tech, environmental, manufacturing, real estate, business services, and professional service firms,” Dickson Wright said in a release.
The firm also touted Litwack’s experience in corporate and commercial matters, especially his knowledge in mergers and acquisitions, securities, and capital markets.
TWO JUDGES APPOINTED
Two new judges will join the Ontario Court of Justice this week.
Ronald Marion, who will preside in Windsor, Ont., practised criminal and civil litigation at Sloniowski & Marion before he moved to Blackadder Leon Marion and Fazari LLP where he did work in family law in addition to criminal and civil cases.
Marion brings to the provincial court several years of experience as chairman of various councils and associations, including the Ontario School Trustees Council.
He was also previously a school trustee with the Niagara South Board of Education.
Kevin Phillips has been an assistant Crown attorney in various regions ever since his call to the bar in 1999. He has prosecuted a range of criminal cases with a recent focus on Internet child luring and exploitation matters.
Phillips was a founding member of the Ottawa mental health court committee and volunteered with several other hospitals and mental health groups. He will preside at the court in Brockville, Ont.
AN APP FOR CAR ACCIDENTS
Personal injury lawyers at Windsor, Ont., law firm Goldstein DeBiase Manzocco have released a smartphone application for people involved in car accidents.
The firm came up with an app that gives drivers traffic information and points them to the nearest gas station. But in case their travel goes awry and they end up in an accident, drivers with the app can press a button on their phones and find out what to do next.
It’s one way the firm is making sure its clients have the right type of information.
“There are many mistakes people can make in the frantic moments after an accident which may ruin their case or cost them money down the road,” the law firm says.
“The smartDRIVER app helps you gather the information you will need for police, insurance companies, and your lawyer.”
A step-by-step instruction at the scene of the accident allows drivers to complete a checklist of information. The app also comes with a camera feature to photograph and store images in addition to recording software for interviewing witnesses at the scene.
“With a click of a button, you can send photos and recordings to our office,” the firm says. The application is free for anyone in the Windsor-Essex area.
FUNDING BOOST FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE PROJECT
The Government of Canada says it’s investing nearly $250,000 in a pilot project aimed at helping victims of family violence.
The Scarborough Family Justice Centre is a “more victim-focused and victim-friendly approach to criminal justice and social services intervention,” the government said in a press release.
“Home and family should be safe havens, but unfortunately that is not always the case,” said Justice Minister Peter MacKay.
“In 2011, police reported almost 95,000 victims of family violence in Canada. Our government is committed to addressing the trauma experienced by victims of violence.”
Victim Services Toronto, police, and other community organizations jointly run the pilot project.
