Nouvelles

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Ontario Bar Association member Lauren Rachlin on March 18, 2016.

Le Prix des droits de la personne du Barreau, créé en 2013, reconnaît les contributions exceptionnelles à la défense des droits de la personne ou à la promotion de la primauté du droit aux paliers provincial, national ou international. Le prix est remis tous les deux ans à une personne qui s’est distinguée par son travail de promotion des droits de la personne et de la primauté du droit sur une longue période ou dans un acte de service exceptionnel.

The Ministry of the Attorney General has launched a new pilot program that gives survivors of sexual assault access to free legal advice any time after the incident , regardless of how much time has passed. The pilot will be available to survivors living in the City of Toronto, the City of Ottawa , and the District of Thunder Bay later this spring.

Past OBA President Orlando Da Silva will receive a Law Society Medal for his work to bring mental health issues to the forefront of the legal profession.

The OBA congratulates this year’s Law Society Awards recipients, including Past OBA President Orlando Da Silva and OBA members Jennifer Babe, Ronda Bessner, Ronald Caza, David Estrin, Errol Mendes and Lisa Borsook.

Ontario has established a new Business Law Advisory Council that will make recommendations to reform laws that are responsive to changing business priorities and supportive of a prosperous economy. Appointed to the Council are OBA members Carol Hansell (Chair), E. Patrick Shea (Vice-Chair), Jennifer Babe, Andy Chan, Doug Downey, John Ground QC, Sheila Murray, Arlene O’Neill, Rob Scavone and Peter Viitre.

Each year, the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) recognizes lawyers who demonstrate both a commitment to our member-based organization that advances the interests of the justice system and who make valuable contributions to specific practice areas. The OBA has two new awards for outstanding contributions in the practice of health and taxation law.

Please note that the OBA office will be closed on Monday, February 15th in recognition of Family Day in Ontario. We look forward to serving our members throughout the rest of the month.

The Ontario Bar Association (OBA) hosts Canada’s largest annual legal gathering from February 2-6, 2016. Now in its 41st year, OBA’s Institute 2016 is the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event for Ontario lawyers in every practice area with more than 30 programs and networking events.

The first of eight judicial regional tournaments took place in Sudbury on January 11th gaining local media coverage.