Celebrittorney Clayton Ruby’s best media-baiting manoeuvres
Clayton Ruby may not be the winningest lawyer in Toronto, but he gets more ink than a tattoo junkie on a bender. It’s all in his selection of causes and clients. Over his 50 years in the business, he’s represented the Church of Scientology, Donald Marshall (who was imprisoned for 11 years for a murder he didn’t commit), star chef Michael Stadtländer (who was accused of selling wine without a licence), and the surviving Dionne quintuplets, to name a few. Today, with his public presence as outsized as ever, he’s taking on cases to match. Here, the evidence.
Star Client Ben Levin, ex–deputy education minister
Details Levin is facing seven counts of child exploitation, including possession of child pornography.
Media Baiting After Levin exited a Toronto courtroom, Ruby addressed the press and mocked a Sun News reporter, jokingly accusing her of being a child molester.
Verdict TBD. The case is awaiting its day in court.
Stats 5 A1 stories (so far), 1 press conference, 945 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Ben Levin
Photographs: Levin by QMI Agency; Magder by GetStock; G20, Robinson by CP Images; Khadr by Fred Lum/Globe and Mail
Star Client Paul Magder
Details Magder, a Toronto resident, took Mayor Ford to court, alleging conflict of interest after Ford raised $3,150 for his football foundation using city hall letterhead, then voted in council that he shouldn’t have to repay the funds.
Media Baiting At press conferences, Ruby and Magder brought along a sign reading “Respect Taxpayers, Respect the Law.”
Verdict Ruby won the trial but lost on appeal.
Stats 46 A1 stories, 2 press conferences, 9,300 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Paul Magder
Star Client G20 protesters
Details Ruby represented a number of G20 protestors, some of whom were imprisoned during the summit and released—with charges dropped—afterward.
Media Baiting Accused police of stonewalling and compared Canada to a banana republic.
Verdict Mixed bag. Police delayed long enough to invoke the statute of limitations in some cases (Ruby is appealing). Various claimants have reached confidential settlements.
Stats 8 A1 stories, 6 press conferences, 12,700 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and G20
Star Client Abdurahman Khadr
Details After the Khadr family’s links to bin Laden came to light, Ottawa denied Abdurahman Khadr, Omar Khadr’s brother, a passport, then amended the law to allow them to do so.
Media Baiting Ruby summed up his thoughts of the legislative manoeuvring thusly: “Not bad for a dictatorship, not good enough for Canada.”
Verdict Draw. The court ruled Khadr was allowed to re-apply for a passport, but Foreign Affairs rejected his application.
Stats 5 A1 stories, 1 press conference, 716 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Abdurahman Khadr
Star Client Svend Robinson, ex–B.C. MP
Details Robinson stole a ring estimated to be worth as much as $65,000 from a Richmond auction house.
Media Baiting During a press conference, Robinson broke down, confessed and blamed his actions on stress.
Verdict Robinson pleaded guilty, and Ruby successfully argued for a conditional discharge (meaning no record) and no jail time.
Stats 45 A1 stories, 1 press conference, 1,050 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Svend Robinson
, star chef Michael Stadtländer (who was accused of selling wine without a licence), and the surviving Dionne quintuplets, to name a few. Today, with his public presence as outsized as ever, he’s taking on cases to match. Here, the evidence.
Star Client Ben Levin, ex–deputy education minister
Details Levin is facing seven counts of child exploitation, including possession of child pornography.
Media Baiting After Levin exited a Toronto courtroom, Ruby addressed the press and mocked a Sun News reporter, jokingly accusing her of being a child molester.
Verdict TBD. The case is awaiting its day in court.
Stats 5 A1 stories (so far), 1 press conference, 945 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Ben Levin
Photographs: Levin by QMI Agency; Magder by GetStock; G20, Robinson by CP Images; Khadr by Fred Lum/Globe and Mail
Star Client Paul Magder
Details Magder, a Toronto resident, took Mayor Ford to court, alleging conflict of interest after Ford raised $3,150 for his football foundation using city hall letterhead, then voted in council that he shouldn’t have to repay the funds.
Media Baiting At press conferences, Ruby and Magder brought along a sign reading “Respect Taxpayers, Respect the Law.”
Verdict Ruby won the trial but lost on appeal.
Stats 46 A1 stories, 2 press conferences, 9,300 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Paul Magder
Star Client G20 protesters
Details Ruby represented a number of G20 protestors, some of whom were imprisoned during the summit and released—with charges dropped—afterward.
Media Baiting Accused police of stonewalling and compared Canada to a banana republic.
Verdict Mixed bag. Police delayed long enough to invoke the statute of limitations in some cases (Ruby is appealing). Various claimants have reached confidential settlements.
Stats 8 A1 stories, 6 press conferences, 12,700 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and G20
Star Client Abdurahman Khadr
Details After the Khadr family’s links to bin Laden came to light, Ottawa denied Abdurahman Khadr, Omar Khadr’s brother, a passport, then amended the law to allow them to do so.
Media Baiting Ruby summed up his thoughts of the legislative manoeuvring thusly: “Not bad for a dictatorship, not good enough for Canada.”
Verdict Draw. The court ruled Khadr was allowed to re-apply for a passport, but Foreign Affairs rejected his application.
Stats 5 A1 stories, 1 press conference, 716 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Abdurahman Khadr
Star Client Svend Robinson, ex–B.C. MP
Details Robinson stole a ring estimated to be worth as much as $65,000 from a Richmond auction house.
Media Baiting During a press conference, Robinson broke down, confessed and blamed his actions on stress.
Verdict Robinson pleaded guilty, and Ruby successfully argued for a conditional discharge (meaning no record) and no jail time.
Stats 45 A1 stories, 1 press conference, 1,050 Google hits for Clayton Ruby and Svend Robinson){kind=link}