By Julius Melnitzer | February 29, 2024
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: WILL LAWYERS EARNING MILLIONS MISS LEFTOVER GRUB?
Gabriela Rodriguez, a 39-year-old single mother, lost her cleaning job after eating a leftover sandwich valued at $2.50 and found on a discarded platter in the kitchen of London, UK law firm Devonshires, where lawyers earn up to $2.88 million annually. According to the Daily Mail, the dismissal actually came at the hands of the firm’s cleaning contractor, Total Clean. Rodriguez, with help from her union, is suing Total for unfair dismissal. Union members have demonstrated outside the law firm’s headquarters bearing cans of tuna and banners saying “We are not the dirt, we clean.”
Related Article: Bare Bones Briefs: Lawyer earning $126,000 gets $1.8 million in wrongful dismissal damages
RE-ADMITTED LAWYER ACCUSED OF NEW REAL ESTATE FRAUD
The Law Society of Ontario is seeking an intelocutory suspension of Toronto lawyer Nicholas Canizares’ license. Canizares, called in 1982, was disbarred in 1989 for drug dealing; he also served a prison term. In 2009, LSO re-admitted Canizares on his undertaking that he would not practice real estate or criminal law. Toronto Police have now alleged that Canizares was recently involved in transactions where property was fraudulently transferred. “The Respondent was either an active participant in the fraudulent transaction or was willfully blind to the red flags that would have alerted him to the fraudulent scheme,” the LSO alleges in its Notice of Motion. None of the current allegations against Canizares have been proven.
Related Article: Bare Bones Briefs: LSO alleges misconduct against ‘most positively reviewed’ lawyer
MCKENNA, BTI REPORT IDs TOP PRIORITIES FOR LAW FIRMS
In December, 2023, McKenna Associates Inc. and BTI Consulting Group asked 200 law firm leaders about their ‘highest priorities’. With respect to economic pressures, motivating lawyers to work hard, using AI technology to service clients, and adequately responding to economic conditions topped the list; attracting desirable talent, differentiating their firms, and a focus on core practices were the priorities in terms of competitive pressures; and respondents cited identifying and grooming future leaders, managing partners’ expectations, and maintaining strategic focus as the most significant leader pressures.
Related Article: Bare Bones Briefs: IBA outlines challenges for profession
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: TOO MUCH ALREADY?
Barry Leon, a member arbitrator and mediator at Toronto’s Arbitration Place, who is a former litigator at Torys LLP and previously a judge of the commercial division of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, notes that the UK’s House of Lords has commenced an investigation into the effectiveness of public inquiries. Among the subjects to be covered are: whether legislation enabling statutory inquiries promote their effectiveness and efficiency; whether there is sufficient oversight; how to share best practices; the proper balance between an adversarial and inquisitorial approach; the characteristics of an effective chair; and the role of key participants.
Leon thinks it may be time for Canada to follow the UK lead.
“Canada has had far more commissions and inquiries than most Canadian
would guess … many hundreds, including federal and provincial ones. Perhaps the time also is right for Canada to step back to examine – in a balanced and non-political manner – ways to improve their effectiveness, efficiency, organization, value-for-money, engagement with the public, and how to increase the likelihood that their recommendations will be implemented.”
Related Article: Scheer’s Call for SNC Lavalin Inquiry During Election is a Dangerous Precedent
DID SULLIVAN & CROMWELL FACILITATE FTX FRAUD?
Failed cryptocurrency company FTX’s creditors have brought a class action against prestigious New York law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. According to Practice Source, the lawsuit alleges that the firm provided assistance that enabled or facilitated FTX’s fraudulent activities. More particularly, the creditors claim that Ryne Miller, a former S&C lawyer who became FTX’s general counsel, used his regulatory connections to smooth dubious transactions such as the LedgerX acquisition, said to have been effected with stolen funds. None of the allegations against Sullivan have been proven.
Related Article: Cryptocurrency fraud remedies available but enforcement difficult in Ontario
Re “PUBLIC INQUIRIES: TOO MUCH ALREADY?”
Is there a link or source for Barry Leon’s observations? Thanks.
Hi Ron
I asked Barry and got some comments back. If you send me your email address, I’ll forward them to you directly. Thanks for your interest.