To the Justice Minister of Nova Scotia

Rehtaeh Parsons thought the worst outcome for her case would be no charges against the men who raped her but we all know better. The worst thing that could happen would be charges. That they would be found guilty, and that Rehtaeh would sit on a court bench and listen in utter disbelief as they were given parole, or a suspended sentence, or community service. All for completely destroying her life while they laughed.

Why is it they didn’t just think they would get away with it; they knew they would get away with it. They took photos of it. They posted it on their Facebook walls. They emailed it to God knows who. They shared it with the world as if it was a funny animation.

How is it possible for someone to leave a digital trail like that yet the RCMP don’t have evidence of a crime? What were they looking for if photos and bragging weren’t enough?

Why was this treated like a minor incident of bullying rather than a rape? Isn’t the production and distribution of child porn a crime in this country? Numerous people were emailed that photo. The police have that information (or at least they told us they did). When someone claims they were raped is it normal to wait months before talking to the accused?

You have the opportunity here to do something good and lets face it; the court system in Nova Scotia was just going to rape her all over again with indifference to her suffering and the damage this did to her.

My daughter wasn’t bullied to death, she was disappointed to death. Disappointed in people she thought she could trust, her school, and the police.

She was my daughter, but she was your daughter too.

For the love of God do something.

***I’ve been contacted from media outlets from all over the world and as a past member of the media I understand why you all want to speak with me. You have all been very courteous, professional, and respectful. Please know, however, this is the only statement I am able to make. I’m too devastated.***

I feel like I’m dead inside.

Via Glen Canning

Omar Ha-Redeye participated in the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Secondary School Mock Trial Tournament.

Back Row: Winning team from Middlefield Collegiate Institute
Front Row, From Left: Judges for the round; Roslyn Mounsey, Omar Ha-Redeye, Gary Segal, Nimali Gamage, Justin Jakubiak

See more on Fleet Street Law.

Omar Ha-Redeye was a judge in the 2013 UCLA Cyber Crimes Moot Competition.

The problem this year focused on the Wiretap Act and a search incident to arrest of a smartphone. The event is sponsored by Norton by Symantec, and hosted by the UCLA Moot Court Honors Program.

See Slaw for more.

Justice Omar Ha-Redeye at the UCLA Cyber Crimes Moot

UCLA Cyber Crimes Problem 2012-2013

The Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) hosted its ACTION Party on March 8, 2013 at the Arcadian Court.

Justin Trudeau and Omar Ha-Redeye

Marc Garneau and Omar Ha-Redeye

Omar Ha-Redeye and Kirsty Duncan

Omar Sharif Jr and Omar Ha-Redeye

Rob Ford and Omar Ha-Redeye

An incident at the event involving Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Sarah Thomson, referred to over social media as “buttgate,” was subsequently covered by media sources which interviewed Omar Ha-Redeye:

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says groping allegations ‘absolutely, completely false’

Another guest at the function, lawyer Omar Ha-Redeye, said in an interview that Ms. Thomson did complain to him about the alleged incident shortly afterwards.

“She said `He grabbed my ass,’ that’s what she told me,” Mr. Ha-Redeye said.
…
Lawyer Omar Ha-Redeye confirmed that Ms. Thomson, whom he knows, approached him as they stood a few feet away from Mr. Ford.

“She said `He grabbed my ass,’ that’s what she told me,” Mr. Ha-Redeye said in an interview.

“… It surprised me. I looked at her, she said `Yeah, he’s never done that before any of the other times we’ve taken photos together’. We were in a crowded hallway so I don’t think she wanted to make a scene or anything like that.”

He said he did not personally witness the incident and could only confirm that she spoke to him.

Rob Ford: Sarah Thomson wants apology after accusing Toronto mayor of inappropriate touch

Thomson, the dreadlocked transit advocate and publisher of the Women’s Post, says she arrived at the party with assistant Sarah Patterson and greeted Ford chief of staff Mark Towhey, who said the mayor was upstairs…
Patterson told the Star a shocked-looking Thomson told her about the alleged grab and Florida comment at the event. Omar Ha-Redeye, the next guest waiting in line, says Thomson told him as well.

Thomson prepared to defend Ford allegations in court

Omar Ha-Redeye, a politically active lawyer with ties to the Liberal party, attended the event, and confirmed to NOW that after Thomson met with the mayor, she complained that he had grabbed her behind.

“I saw Sarah immediately after she left Rob Ford. So she came around the corner, and she told me about it at that time,” Ha-Redeye said.

Ha-Redeye said he couldn’t say whether Towhey’s description of Thomson being “happy” was accurate.

“I don’t know if I can gauge her in that way, I just know that she wasn’t making a scene. That may just have been a political choice on her behalf, or not wanting to disrupt the event,” he said.

Sarah Thomson the talk of the town after saying Rob Ford ‘grabbed her ass’

Descriptions of the mayor that evening varied. Omar Ha-Redeye, a lawyer who may have been the first person Ms. Thomson confided in, said the mayor looked like he usually did, a “little socially inept,” not very talkative and avoiding eye contact

Witness backs mayor who denies groping, inappropriate comments

Meanwhile, Omar Ha-Redeye, a Toronto lawyer who was also at the party, told CityNews that Thomson told him about the incident immediately after it occurred.

“She did indicate to me that Ford grabbed her ass,” Ha-Redeye said in a phone interview, adding that he didn’t see the alleged incident himself.

Sarah Thomson demands apology after accusing Rob Ford of inappropriate touch

Omar Ha-Redeye said he was the first person Thomson talked to after the alleged grab. He was waiting to get his own photo with the mayor, who had sat with his back the corner of the room, when she approached him.

“She told me that (Ford) grabbed her ass,” Ha-Redeye said

Mayor Ford’s statement:

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful event to support the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee.
This is an event that is attended by numerous political leaders and where I have been a guest in the past.
Early this morning, false allegations were made regarding a number of disgusting actions. I am shocked, dismayed and surprised. I can say without hesitation that they are absolutely, completely false.
What is more surprising is that a woman who has aspired to be a civic leader would cry wolf on a day where we should be celebrating women across the globe.
This is a day we should all take the time to reflect upon the women in our lives and in our society. It is a day when we can envision the changes we want to make in our communities to ensure that all people are equal and that violence and discrimination against women comes to an end.

From Twitter:

Thanks to @omarharedeye for saying what he saw and heard, and not editorializing, embellishing or making himself some hero. #topoli

— Jude MacDonald (@judemacdonald) March 9, 2013

Omar Ha-Redeye participated in the 2013 Ryerson Alumni Exposition, which puts students in contact with Ryerson graduates to help them transition from students to professionals.

Omar Ha-Redeye ’05, Suma George ’07, Chris Drew ’09

Jury for Trial of a Sheepherder for Murder, 1936

The release of the Iacobucci Report on Improving First Nations’ Representation on Ontario Juries confirms the continuing challenge of jury representation for First Nations in Ontario. See Slaw for more.

Omar Ha-Redeye was a judge in the 2013 Niagara Moot. This year the competition focused on

The Niagara Moot is hosted by the Canada-United States Law Institute (CUSLI), which is a joint initiative between Western Law in London, Ontario and Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. Moot rounds were held this year at McCarthy Tetreault, Faskin Martineu and Cassels Brock in Toronto.

Omar Ha-Redeye prior to judging rounds in the Niagara Moot.

President Michael Sharf (center), and Members Marwa Serag (Left) and Omar Ha-Redeye (right) preside over the International Court of Justice for the Niagara Moot

Omar Ha-Redeye of Fleet Street Law, Philip Turi of Fasken Martineau, and Adam Chambers of Goodmans, all alumni of Western Law, prepare for judging rounds at Cassels Brock.

2013 Niagara International Moot Court Competition by Omar Ha-Redeye

Omar Ha-Redeye spoke on a panel at the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) on Feb. 27, 2013, hosted by the Feminist Legal Analysis section:

You are on LinkedIn, but is your profile up to date? You tweet, but how many followers do you have? You know you should start a blog but aren’t sure if it’s worth your time?

Social media can be an important and cost-effective tool for marketing, advocacy and educating your clients. But how do you measure results? What pitfalls should legal professionals be aware of before increasing their online presence?

Attend this session and get tips from one of the world’s most respected online marketing experts on why a social media strategy is critical and what this should look like for a legal professional. Hear from members of the profession how and why they use social media and what advice they have for those already on board as well as those still thinking about sticking their toe in the water.

The event was accredited for 1.5 Substantive Hours.

The other speakers on the panel are Maggie Fox, Founder, CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Social Media Group, and Tanya Walker, Principal, Walker Law Professional Corporation.

Chairs of the event are Cynthia Aoki, Associate, Jones Harley LLP, Rachel Doran, Counsel, Federal Department of Justice, Sheryl Smolkin, Journalist/Lawyer.

Feedback via Twitter:

Kudos to @omarharedeye for not being afraid to bring a gendered lens to his comments on #socialmedia & law – v imp #walkerlaw cc @obatoday

— Denise Brunsdon (@Brunsdon) February 28, 2013

TY @omarharedeye for info on googling LinkedIn maps @obatoday seminar interesting results.Everyone on LinkedIn should try!

— Pascale Daigneault (@flecklaw) February 28, 2013

Omar Ha-Redeye spoke at the 2013 Black Law Students Association of Canada (BLSAC) conference in Ottawa on February 21-24, 2013 on a panel about “Intellectual Property, Entertainment and Technology Law.”

Omar Ha-Redeye was a judge in the 2013 Julius Alexander Isaac Diversity Moot.

The competition was held at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario on Feb. 22-23, 2013 at the BLSAC Conference, and is hosted by Koskie Minsky LLP.

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