Article Submissions from Ontario Lawyers: A Call to Action

  • February 21, 2020
  • Barbara De Dios, corporate counsel at Canadian Dental Services Corporation

As lawyers in varying industries and practice areas, writing articles could be an excellent avenue that serves multiple purposes.

General benefits of article writing for lawyers

Writing can build your profile in the legal community, share your thoughts on certain topics or best practices, or even relay your position on recent developments on the law. In addition, writing articles could provide you with an excellent way to meet colleagues in your city or the legal community who wish to hear more about your content, while allowing you to share practical steps and thoughts that could be of use to counsel looking for various avenues of learning (particularly those in smaller departments).

Other benefits: writing articles and CPD hours

In addition to these benefits, writing articles of law-related content (whether it be for your Ontario Bar Association Section or otherwise) can offer you the practical opportunity to claim continuing professional development (CPD) hours. The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) has indicated the act of ‘writing’ to be an approved eligible educational activity for a total of up to six (6) hours annually, which may be claimed as CPD in relation to articles that have been written on a legal topic. Articles written on professionalism topics can be submitted to the LSO for accreditation and approval. For further information on eligible educational activities, please review the LSO CPD requirements here.