Latest news with #LawSocietyofOntario
Ottawa Citizen
2 days ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Judge revokes bail for former lawyer James Bowie at sentencing hearing
Article content She was 'vulnerable and desperate for guidance, for protection, and for someone to help me hold onto my future,' Aubin said Monday. Article content 'Mr. Bowie used his status, his experience and my desperation to try to turn me into something I never was: an object he could manipulate and abuse for his own gratification.' Article content She said Bowie's suggestion that she exchange sexual favours for legal services made her feel 'frozen in horror… I felt worthless, I felt dirty, I felt dehumanized.' Article content Bowie was ultimately acquitted of the extortion charge related to the sex-for-legal services allegations. The initial assault charge against Aubin was quickly withdrawn after she hired a new lawyer. Article content The fear and threats didn't end there, Aubin said Monday, but 'multiplied' when she learned he was trying to acquire a gun. Article content 'Mr. Bowie didn't just abuse his position, he weaponized it,' Aubin said. 'He didn't just break the rules, he preyed on the vulnerable — the very people the justice system is meant to protect.' Article content Article content After Aubin complained about his conduct to the Law Society of Ontario — resulting in an investigation and eventual suspension from practising law — Bowie 'spiralled into a campaign of threats and harassment,' according to the Crown. Article content He pressured his friend to obtain a gun and tracked her with GPS devices when the woman broke off contact. Article content 'What you did to me — harassing, manipulating, attempting to extort and coerce me into committing a crime to help you — isn't just morally bankrupt, it's reprehensible,' the woman said in court Monday. Article content 'To do that under the guise of friendship is a betrayal so vicious it's hard to fit into proper professional words.' Article content The woman said she suffered panic attacks and post-traumatic stress after Bowie 'invaded every corner of my privacy.' Article content Watson said Bowie's conduct demonstrated 'a deeply troubling pattern of predation of vulnerable women' and said 'that trust was used as a weapon.' Article content Article content Bowie spoke to the Ottawa Citizen after he was found guilty in March and denied he had ever threatened anyone and claimed there were 'a number of fabrications' in the testimony of both witnesses. Article content 'I never threatened to kill anyone, ever, or have anyone help having anyone killed on my behalf, nor would I ever do so,' Bowie said in the interview. Article content Both the Crown and defence said they struggled to find any similar cases in Canadian law to establish a precedent for an appropriate sentence. Article content Bowie launched his own legal practice in 2017 and 'undertook something of an educational campaign,' Granger said, by 'live-tweeting' the various court cases related to the 2022 convoy protests. He gained a large social media following during those contentious bail hearings, and Granger said he often encouraged his followers to donate to local charities.
Ottawa Citizen
29-06-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Man accused in Holocaust Memorial vandalism fired by City of Ottawa
The City of Ottawa has confirmed that the man accused of vandalizing the National Holocaust Memorial with red paint earlier this month has been fired. Article content In a statement on Sunday afternoon, interim city solicitor Stuart Huxley confirmed that Iain Aspenlieder no longer works for the city and that he was on leave at the time of the incident. Article content Article content 'The recent act affecting the National Holocaust monument was deplorable and is counter to the values we seek to uphold in our community. We extend our deepest sympathies to members of our community impacted by this disgraceful act,' Huxley wrote in an emailed statement to the Citizen. Article content Article content 'The City can confirm that the individual implicated in this act was on leave at the time of the incident and is no longer employed by the City. As the matter is the subject of a police investigation and is before the courts, the City will provide no further comment.' Article content Article content Aspenlieder has been charged with mischief to a war monument, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct in relation to the incident. Article content The monument, located at 1918 Chaudière Crossing, was sprayed with the words 'FEED ME' in large block letters on the side adjacent to Wellington Street on June 9. Red paint was also sprayed along the building's facade. Article content Aspenlieder is scheduled to appear in court on July 2 for a bail hearing decision following an appearance on Saturday. Article content He was also suspended administratively by the Law Society of Ontario. An administrative suspension means a lawyer has been suspended for administrative reasons, such as failing to pay fees or filing forms on time. A suspended lawyer cannot practice law or provide legal services, the law society said. Article content
Cision Canada
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Law Society presented honorary LLDs to six exemplary individuals Français
TORONTO, June 27, 2025 /CNW/ - The Law Society of Ontario honored several distinguished individuals with a degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LLD) at the June Call to the Bar ceremonies. An LLD is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in the legal profession, the rule of law or the cause of justice. Professor Payam Akhavan, OOnt, FRSC, an outstanding academic and renowned international human rights lawyer. He is engaged in the practice of international law at the highest levels on behalf of victims of crimes against humanity and genocide. Read more. Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire, who is renowned for pushing boundaries to advance access to justice, equality and equity, with a passion for the rule of law, mentorship and commitment to public service. Read more. Dr. Lillian Eva Quan Dyck, who is renowned for her extensive work on the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Read more. The Honourable Aston Hall, a true champion for diversity – advancing justice and equality not only through his work as a lawyer and judge but also through his personal journey. His relentless efforts to break down systemic barriers have had a profound impact on the community, inspiring and empowering individuals to strive for a more inclusive and equitable society. Read more. Dr. Peter Jaffe, who has worked to improve the ways in which cases of family violence and the abuse of women and children are dealt with in Canada's legal, educational and social services throughout his career. Read more. The Honourable Paul Barker Schabas, who is known for his outstanding advocacy skills, judgment and passion for the law which have been applied to benefit his clients, the profession and the community. Read more. The Law Society regulates lawyers and paralegals in Ontario in the public interest. The Law Society has a mandate to protect the public interest, to maintain and advance the cause of justice and the rule of law, to facilitate access to justice for the people of Ontario and to act in a timely, open and efficient manner.
Cision Canada
18-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Peter C. Wardle re-elected as Treasurer of Law Society of Ontario
TORONTO, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Law Society of Ontario's governing board, re-elected Peter C. Wardle as Treasurer for a second term. The Treasurer is the elected leader of the Law Society, which regulates Ontario's lawyers and paralegals in the public interest. The 2025-26 term commences at the June 25 board meeting (known as Convocation). "I am grateful to be able to continue to serve as Treasurer for a second term. I thank my fellow benchers for allowing me to do so. In recent months we have faced some incredibly difficult issues, but together we took swift and decisive action and set a course that will make the Law Society stronger," said Mr. Wardle. "There is nothing more important than the public's trust in us as a regulator." "To my colleagues, Murray Klippenstein and Stephen Rotstein – I look forward to our continued work together on matters vital to serving the public and the professions in a respectful and productive manner." In his first term as Treasurer, Mr. Wardle led the Law Society as it navigated the review and consequences of the former CEO's compensation. He took immediate action, with the approval of his bencher colleagues to make changes to improve governance and strengthen accountability at the Law Society. Mr. Wardle served as a bencher from 2011 to 2019 and was re-elected in 2023. As Treasurer, he is co-chair of the Governance Review Task Force and chair of the Strategic Planning and Advisory Committee. He has served as the vice-chair of the Appeal Division of the Law Society Tribunal and served as a hearing and appeal adjudicator. Mr. Wardle has built his reputation as a recognized and trusted advocate over more than 38 years. He has represented parties in commercial disputes involving contract interpretation, shareholder and partnership obligations, securities, directors' and officers' liability, professional negligence, construction, estates and real estate. He has appeared before a wide variety of regulatory tribunals and has prosecuted a number of discipline cases on behalf of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Mr. Wardle has acted in a number of public inquiries, including as counsel for a group of affected families before the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario and a citizens group in the Cornwall Public Inquiry. In 2022, he acted as lead counsel for the City of Ottawa in the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry. Mr. Wardle is ranked by Best Lawyers for his work in directors' and officers' liability and securities litigation. He is recognized by LEXPERT in the areas of Corporate Commercial Litigation, Directors' & Officers' Liability, and Professional Liability and is designated by Martindale-Hubbell as "AV® Preeminent™" – its highest peer review rating. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1986 after receiving a B.A. with honours (1979) from Wilfrid Laurier University and an LL.B (1984) From Queen's University. The Law Society regulates lawyers and paralegals
Toronto Sun
05-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
MANDEL: 'Voices' commanded him to kill his husband, court hears
Get the latest from Michele Mandel straight to your inbox Leahain Malcolm They were a power couple — Rupert Brown was a respected doctor; Leahain Malcolm was a trained lawyer and investigator — and after meeting in Jamaica in 2016, they wed in the U.S. two years later and came to Canada in 2020 to claim refugee status. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Likely because their gay union would face persecution back home. While they awaited the outcome of their asylum claim here, Brown wasn't working as a doctor and Malcolm had applied to be accredited as a lawyer by the Law Society of Ontario. But in January 2021, the LSO turned him down. Two months later, Brown, 38, was found stabbed to death in their Eglinton Ave. W. walk-up and Malcolm, 28, was under arrest for murder. At the opening of his judge-alone trial, where Malcolm has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, the couple's downstairs neighbour recalled being woken from her sleep at 3:25 a.m. on Feb. 27, 2021 and hearing a man's voice from the third floor above her, begging, 'Help, help, help.' A short time later, Malcolm calmly called 911. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I was hearing voices and I killed my spouse,' he said on the recording played for Superior Court Justice Heather McArthur. 'I think he's dead.' He could then be heard slapping him to check. The ambulance operator asked how it happened. 'No, when I get a lawyer, I'll tell you what happened,' Malcolm replied. He was then asked about his spouse's condition. 'I don't know, I'm not a doctor,' he said. 'There's a lot of blood.' He told 911 that he'd used a kitchen knife but he wasn't holding it. 'It's on his body.' When the ambulance operator tried to give him instructions on how to stop the bleeding, Malcolm interrupted him. 'He's dead.' Recommended video The 911 call taker asked what the voices had told him. 'They said he was a demon and he was going to kill me,' Malcolm explained. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She asked if he had any mental health issues. 'Yes I do. I'm going to hang up.' He then stopped answering their questions. Meanwhile, Toronto Police Const. Kevin Moore had been dispatched at 3:27 a.m. and arrived about five minutes later at unit 304. He found a gruesome sight. The officer walked into the blood-soaked apartment and agreed with defence lawyer Andrea VanderHeyden that his first words were 'Oh, Jesus.' He then warned the arriving firefighters about what they were about to see. Read More 'It's pretty bad,' Moore told them. 'We can agree it's a pretty bad scene, all things considered, right?' the lawyer asked. 'It's a little bid disturbing, right.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The 22-year veteran agreed that it was. Horrific photos shown in court — but not to family members watching on Zoom from Jamaica — show the site of what looks like a massacre. Blood is smeared everywhere in the bedroom: on the parquet floor, the radiator, the yellow walls, the bed's grey sheets, and the wooden dresser. Brown's body lay on his back with 'numerous' stab wounds, a bread knife and chef's knife beside him. Also on the floor were torn and blood-stained documents from a cognitive behaviour therapy group at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Police found several prescription pill bottles dispensed to Malcolm, including aripiprazole, used for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In the kitchen was a stockpot that oddly contained scissors and three knives, apparently from an empty butcher's block on the counter. And on the living room window ledge was a textbook on criminal law. The aspiring Ontario lawyer answered the door, in a tank top and shorts stained with blood, and was immediately handcuffed. Moore agreed the accused killer appeared calm but didn't respond when asked repeatedly if he understood he was under arrest for murder. Instead, all he asked was, 'Is he dead?' The trial continues. mmandel@ Canada Celebrity Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
