Omar Ha-Redeye completed a training session at the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) on the Essentials of Governance for Public Sector Boards.

The session was conducted by Jim Mackay of the Berkley Consulting Group and Anne Corbett of Borden, Ladner, Gervais LLP.

An overview of the public sector landscape was provided, as well as the role that a board plays in an organization.  The legal obligations and duties of directors were covered, as well as how to effectively conduct board meetings and play a director role.

The training also included several role-playing scenarios, and an expert panel featuring: Linda Lamereux, a lawyer sitting on the Health Services and Appeal Review Board and the Health Professions Appeal & Review Board; John Bell, a partner at Shibley Righton LLP with considerable board experience in the public sector; and Helen Hayward, who currently sits on the Board of Governors for Seneca College.

UWO Law hosted the 2009 BLG Client Counselling Competition. The winners this year were Andrea Yau and Jesse Mighton.

Finalists included Cassandra Tarrataca and Ryan Venables, Adam Somogyi and Mike Lickver, Kathryn Shani and Brittany Taylor and Ronald Fichter and Katie Sokol.

Omar Ha-Redeye played a client in the competition, which he won in 2007.

From Western News:

University of Virginia professor Peter Ochs will share his views on the future of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim dialogue as part of Huron University College’s annual R.T. Orr lecture Oct. 14…
Participants will honour each other and each other’s scriptures despite differences in interpretation. As texts open around the study table, participants will gain a renewed and deepened understanding of their neighbours’ as well as their own scriptural traditions.

Participants will include:
• Shari Golberg, University of Toronto
• Omar Ha-Redeye, Western
• Susan Kennel Harrison, Emmanuel College
• Paul Nesbitt-Larking, Huron University College
• Peter Ochs, University of Virginia
• Nevin Reda, University of Toronto

From Vol. 25, No. 5 of Western News, on Oct. 8, 2009:

OMG! Law Talk is launched today, with Omar Ha-Redeye, Michael Carabash, and Garry Wise.

The online video show features:

• Lawyers Who Blog;
• Managing the Public vs. the Private;
• Augmenting the Public with the Personal;
• Rants and Bones to Pick; and
• Search Engine Malpractice.

See the story behind the video on Slaw and Law is Cool.

For the upcoming cover of Canadian Lawyer magazine. Thanks to Gail Cohen, editor.

Justice Harvey Brownstone of the Ontario Court of Justice spoke on his new book, Tug of War: A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles and the Bitter Realities of Family Court, on what fighting couples should know about divorce and the role of courts.

Omar Ha-Redeye and Justice Brownstone

The book is the first of its kind, in that a judge is seeking to educate the public about some of the basics of family law, and what they can expect from the judicial system.

Justice Brownstone was the first openly gay judge appointed in Canada, and regularly conducts media interviews to create greater awareness about legal issues.  He also answers legal questions for the public for free on Advice Scene.

Justice Brownstone strongly recommended that couples avoid legal proceedings for their own benefit, and that of their children, and attempt to resolve things by themselves.  He generously donated all proceeds from his book to the Children’s Wish Foundation.

The event was hosted by the John Howard Society.

Canadian Idol winner and Hamilton Resident, Brian Melo, was also on hand, and did a small performance for those who were present.

Brian Melo and Omar Ha-Redeye

For Sunday 24 May 2009, this is the Law Is Cool Podcast. On today’s show, Omar Ha-Redeye’s feature interview with Nancy Kinney, creator of AdviceScene.com…

Feature Interview: Nancy Kinney of AdviceScene.com

Imagine a website that provides free legal information by connecting the public with lawyers and judges. On today’s feature interview, Omar Ha-Redeye sits down with Nancy Kinney, the creator of AdviceScene.com. Advice Scene is an innovative online destination that is doing just that. The site features a legal wiki, ask a lawyer and a morality meter that gauges attitudes about legal and political issues.

Kinney argues that lawyers should not be seen as the gatekeepers to specialized legal information; instead, legal information should be shared freely with the public. She suggests that this will help reduce the costs of litigation because clients with a better understanding of the law will be in a better position to resolve their conflicts without going to trial. Moreover, she argues that better-informed clients will be able to work in partnership with their lawyers without feeling that their lawyer has made all of the important decisions.

The response so far has been very positive. The site has attracted a number of lawyers and even an Ontario judge to participate by answering questions in an online discussion forum.

War Human Dignity and Nation Building

Omar Ha-Redeye is on the panel of community advisors for the Centre.

George Galloway is a British MP whose views are controversial, to say the least.

But does that mean that these views should be banned from Canada, especially if he does not promote violence or hatred?

This was the topic of a motion for an interlocutory injunction at the Federal Court today.

Omar Ha-Redeye’s write-up can be found on LawIsCool and Slaw.