Lawyers Pledge Support For Embattled Judge Firms Seek Experienced Associates Barbeau Named Chairman Law Times Poll
Thirty-six Thunder Bay, Ont. lawyers signed a public letter pledging support for Justice Patrick Smith, who has been accused of misconduct by the Judicial Conduct Committee of the Canadian Judicial Council.
A CJC report said Smith may need to be removed from the bench as he “engaged in misconduct by accepting a position as interim dean without considering the possible public controversy associated with the reaction from the chiefs of First Nations and without considering the political environment or the potential effect on the prestige of judicial office.”
The controversy around Smith stems from the April 2018 resignation of Angelique EagleWoman, who had served as dean at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University — and was the first Indigenous dean of law at a Canadian university — since January 2016. EagleWoman said she faced systemic discrimination at Lakehead and, following her resignation, First Nations leaders “called on the university to rescind the appointment” of Smith as her temporary replacement.
Neil McCartney, a partner at Atwood Labine LLP in Thunder Bay, says he helped organize a letter supporting Smith, who has been a “stalwart” of Thunder Bay’s legal community for many years.
“We think the way he is being treated by the judicial council is wrong, full stop,” McCartney says, calling the review of Smith “outrageous.”
About one-third of law firms in the U.S. and Canada are looking to hire lawyers with minimum book of business of $250,000 to $500,000, according to a new survey by Robert Half Legal. The survey found “a critical need for experienced associates to help them expand high-demand practice groups,” said Robert Half Legal, a legal staffing and consulting firm.
Stikeman Elliott LLP elected Montreal-based corporate finance lawyer Marc Barbeau for a three-year term as chairman, the firm said last week.
Barbeau will replace Toronto corporate commercial lawyer and senior partner Bill Braithwaite, who was chairman for six years, Stikeman Elliott said.
The firm also appointed securities lawyer Curtis Cusinato as co-managing partner in Toronto, where he will join Anne Ristic, a corporate and securities lawyer.
It has also appointed Warren Katz as managing partner in the Montreal regional office and Chrysten Perry as managing partner in the Calgary regional office.
Law Times asked readers if there will be an increase in the number of professional disciplinary cases that emerge following complaints by marijuana users, pending legalization of recreational cannabis.
About 45 per cent responded that legalization will mean an increase in the number of professional disciplinary cases initiated by marijuana users.
Around 55 per cent said there will be a decrease in complaints, because of a more widespread availability of cannabis overall.
