The Art of Practice

For lawyers with a higher calling, effective practice is an art. Check in for regular case summaries, practice points, client service tips and more.

Today
Today
labrador retriever be petted by one person and held on a leash by another

A Ruff Decision: Who Gets the Family Pet in a Separation?

  • February 26, 2023
  • Olivia Koneval-Brown

Many people consider their pet to be a member of the family, but what happens to the pet when there is a breakdown in the human relationship? Olivia Koneval-Brown sets out the factors that a court will look at when determining pet ownership after a separation.

woman listening to music while working from home

SPILL: One thing you do differently when working from home

  • February 26, 2023

With many of us now successfully splitting our time between remote and in-office arrangements, we wanted to find out what modifications to routine members enjoy when operating away from the workplace fray, so we asked them to tell us one thing they do differently on the days they work from home to take advantage of a more flexible schedule.

young woman looking at phone and hanging head in shame and irritation

Named, Shamed … and Defamed?

  • December 05, 2022
  • Michael Speers

When contacted by a potential client who feels they have been defamed online or who has been served notice of a defamation claim, your first steps may be critical to a satisfactory resolution or successful case.

a woman and man review a legislative document

Overview of Bill C-13 to Modernize the OLA

  • November 30, 2022
  • Jean-Michel Richardson and Kenza Salah

On March 1, 2022, the federal government tabled Bill C-13 to modernize the Official Languages Act (the “OLA”), whose review in committee is ongoing. This article provides an overview of some of the proposed amendments that the authors consider important in this proposed reform to the language regime that was initiated in 2018 by the former Minister of Official Languages and suspended during the 2021 federal election.

bitcoin currency in foreground with pen to paper blurred in background

Blockchain and Tax Law: Behind the curve

  • November 30, 2022
  • Matthew Boyd

Despite the meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies, the first tax legislation to specifically address them – an addition to the Excise Tax Act drafted to address crypto mining’s GST/HST treatment – was proposed in 2022, over a decade after Bitcoin’s creation. While a good first step, there are still significant uncertainties as to their proper treatment in other situations that will only become more problematic as blockchain and cryptocurrencies are used in novel ways.

Man at computer with several arms, juggling different admin duties

5 Ways to Increase Efficiency in Your Growing Law Firm

  • September 11, 2022
  • Sukhi Hansra

For many lawyers, time is everything. But time is hard to manage, particularly when you are busy dealing with a slew of phone calls, emails, invoices and document preparation. Sukhi Hansra offers innovative ideas for growing your business efficiently, cost-effectively and with savvy application of technology.

Woman seated at desk with laptop, viewing printed document with confusion

Persuasive Legal Writing: Pointers, pitfalls and pet peeves from the pros

  • September 06, 2022
  • Emily Sinkins, with contribution from OBA Civil Litigation Section Executive members

Ahead of the OBA’s popular primer program on writing sharply, strategically and skillfully – beyond boilerplates and bound to sway – leading litigators share six deeply held drafting dos and don’ts.

Magnifying glass magnifies document and cardboard-cut-out-style suspects

The Original Will is Not Available: A case study

  • September 06, 2022
  • Susannah B. Roth

The case of Mister Bull, Madame Curie, a modest Ontario bank account and a missing will provides executors with a lesson in overcoming an international impasse with “proof in solemn form” and an example of a predicament that could have been prevented with an expertly prepared estate plan.