In this issue - #127 September 30, 2009

On September 24th, UBC Okanagan announced that a $10,000 annual prize, committed for 20 years, has been created by Pushor Mitchell LLP for a top graduating student who demonstrates academic excellence and outstanding leadership. The prize will be the single richest cash award available for a UBCO student. It will be available to a student who graduates from the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences.

The staff and lawyers at Pushor Mitchell are proud to congratulate Paul Mitchell, on being selected as the recipient of the 2009 UBC Okanagan Alumni Community Builder Award. The award is in recognition of outstanding community contributions. Our Managing Partner, Paul has always exemplified the community involvement that has defined our firm. Please join us in congratulating Paul! He can be reached at 250-869-1115 or mitchell@pushormitchell.com

In light of recent happenings in the United States, tax amnesty programs have been receiving considerable media attention.  On August 19, 2009, the United States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and the United States Department of Justice reached a settlement with the Swiss Confederation.  Pursuant to the settlement the IRS will receive from UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, information regarding approximately 4,450 Swiss bank accounts held by United States citizens.

In Auckland, New Zealand a recent news item told the story of Vicki Walker who was fired from her job, in part, because of her “confrontational” emails.  Ms. Walker had apparently made a practice of using block capital letters, bold typeface, and red typeface in emails.
 

AFABC provides province-wide support and advice for those who are beginning to think about adoption, have decided to adopt, have already had a child or children join their family. AFABC also plays a significant role in promoting awareness of the thousands of BC children in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development, who are waiting for a family.  AFABC is conducting a voluntary confidential survey which can be accessed at the following link.  If you have questions about the adoption process, contact our Partner Geord Holland at holland@purshormitchell.com.
 

The Los Angeles Times (9/1, Hennigan) reports, "Toyota spent years concealing evidence from victims of hundreds of rollover accidents that resulted in death and injury, a former top lawyer for the automaker says." Dimitrios P. Biller of Pacific Palisades, "a former managing counsel for Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., said in the suit that the company repeatedly forced him to illegally withhold information from opposing lawyers and made him resign in September 2007." In the July 24 lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles, "Biller accuses the world's largest automaker of destroying data in more than 300 accidents that proved vehicle roofs were substandard." Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, "said that if what Biller says is true, the financial repercussions for Toyota could be massive."

Bloomberg News  reported, "GlaxoSmithKline Plc, the world's second-biggest drugmaker,  recently began a trial in Philadelphia in what may be a test case for more than 600 lawsuits over claims its antidepressant drug Paxil causes birth defects. Patients and their parents claim internal company documents produced for trial show Glaxo failed to warn about the risks of Paxil until forced to do so in 2005 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." The London-based company "faces two more such trials a month from October through January in state court in Philadelphia."