In a year that saw continued rejigging of our workspaces and schedules and, for some, a return to old routines, we wondered where busy lawyers were most frequently able to find focus and foster creativity. So, we asked members: “Where do you do your best thinking?”

The Honourable Mary Jo Nolan has devoted her decades-long career to advocating for access to justice for society’s most vulnerable, achieving many firsts along the way: first female case management master in Ontario, first female judge appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Essex County, and now, first recipient of the OBA Award of Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Southwest Region.

After attending the idea-packed RODA Annual Diversity Conference in Partnership with the OBA, Celeste M. Young considers how the intersection of conscious allyship and advocacy can be the catalyst for action and how lawyers can come together to advance important change.

An overview of the language obligations set out in the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO Rules) and examination of the scope of “language rights” contemplated by the LSO Rules, including recent legislative changes regarding access to justice in French in the province.

The forthright new memoir from renowned criminal defence attorney Marie Henein formed the basis of a fascinating OBA Community Book Club event. Attending virtually and answering questions on everything from public perception of law to double-standards that plague powerful women, Henein lived up to her reputation for candour and acuity.

For an increasing number of legal employers, offering a defined benefit pension plan is not only good business but the right thing to do.

A reminder to revisit, recalibrate and re-prioritize our self-care practices and mindfulness toward others after a year-and-a-half of social distance, disrupted routines and “rolling disasters.”

A transformative program presented by the OBA’s Student Section and Young Lawyers Division offers timely tips for a successful transition from academia to law practice.

Notwithstanding the fact that section 23 expressly refers to the right of instruction in the minority language at the primary and secondary levels, the authors argue that a large, liberal and purposive interpretation can include instruction at the post-secondary level.

As she prepares to take the reins as OBA president on September 1, with a mandate to strengthen the vital links between lawyers in all regions across Ontario and ensure they capitalize on the opportunity in this diverse community, Karen Perron talks to us about the lure of association involvement, the advice and advice-givers she turns to, and the hopes she has for her presidential term.