On September 26, 2018, at the Cactus Club in Toronto, Esther Nwator, newsletter editor for the OBA Health Law Section, intereviewed Lad Kucis, well-known health lawyer and partner at Gardiner Roberts LLP.
Tell us a little bit about you.
1. Let’s start with the basics: What’s your name and where did you grow up?
My name is Lad Joseph Kucis. I grew up in Mississauga in the Applewood Heights area. I went to Applewood Heights Secondary school and my parents were Joseph and Laura Kucis (still alive). Growing up, I played football, basketball and baseball and was really into hockey cards.
2. Ok. Where did you go to law school and what was your selection process?
My undergraduate degree was from the University of Toronto where I studied political science. For law school, I attended Osgoode Hall and graduated in 2000. I picked Osgoode Hall because of its great reputation and the fact it was close to home. In retrospect, I wish I had considered going away to law school and/or included an exchange program because I’ve heard of similar programs in Ontario law schools now and I think it would have been a great experience.
3. Tell us about a memorable or ‘a-ha’ moment from law school, when you learned a practical point about the law that helped you in your career, or, you first realized you were really on track to becoming a lawyer.
It wasn’t really an ‘a-ha’ moment, but I remember that my first class was contract law with Professor John McCamus. I felt like I was in the movie Paper Chase – it was pretty surreal.
Ok. Let’s move on to your career.
4. What type of law do you practice?
I practice health law with a regulatory focus. I provide advice and representation to health sector clients on a wide range of regulatory matters, including all types of health regulatory college proceedings (i.e. complaints, investigations, discipline, appeals, etc.), hospital privileges disputes, health privacy issues, retirement home/long-term care home operations, and matters that fall under both the governance of Health Canada and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
5. Tell us how you came to work in this field.
After articling, the job market was very tight (albeit not as tight as it is currently). I was hired on a contract role conducting document review on a pharmaceutical class action, and then soon after that, I secured a role practicing health law at a boutique practice. The recruiter and the boutique that hired me seemed to have the impression I had some type of expertise in the health sector, but my experience largely involved summarizing news articles about some random drug that I can’t even recall now.
6. In your view, what has been the single most impactful case outside your area of practice in the past five years?
I think the Ghomeshi case was very important, as it was one of the first sexual assault cases in the ‘me-too’ era. It made people reconsider a number of issues, including the hurdles facing sexual assault complainants, the role of the media and how evidence is assessed in court.
7. Name a lawyer who has the greatest impact on your career, either directly, or through their own work and the impression it made on you.
Lonny Rosen and Elyse Sunshine of Rosen Sunshine. Before Lonny and Elyse set up Rosen Sunshine, we were colleagues at Gardiner Roberts where we became good friends. Even though they are only a few years older than me, I was impressed with them and regularly looked to them for advice (heck, I still do). I was specifically impressed with their ability to market/promote themselves effectively.
8. What are the best and worst aspects of your job?
I enjoy problem-solving, negotiating solutions and the diversity of the work in health law. My clients can be any one or more of the many healthcare professions in Ontario regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act. On the downside, I am often tasked with delivering bad news to clients - an equally necessary part of the job.
9. What has been the proudest moment in your career?
Being recognized as a Certified Specialist in Health Law and by "Best Lawyers in Canada" in the field of health law.
10. You are stuck on a lengthy trial with five lawyers in your field. Who would you like them to be?
- Lonny and Elyse of Rosen Sunshine;
- Josh Koziebrocki;
- Lisa Constantine; and
- Rebecca Durcan.
They are all first-rate health lawyers and great people to boot!
Awesome. Let’s conclude with some anecdotes from personal life experiences.
11. What has been your most significant (non-legal) achievement to date?
Becoming a father to my two sons (Oliver – 4 and Henry – 2). Raising two young boys (especially that close in age) is a very difficult, yet extremely rewarding experience. It is truly fantastic to see them learn new things. (Most of the credit is actually due to a superhuman I call my wife – she often claims that she is raising three kids).
12. In your long-standing role hiring and mentoring new lawyers at Gardiner Roberts, what are your top three tips or advice to them?
- Find a great mentor;
- Be prepared to (and do) work hard;
- Always conduct yourself in an ethical manner and treat all persons with respect.
13. What has been the biggest obstacle in your life and how did you overcome it?
Like many others lawyers, I found articling a challenge, specifically time management, stress and adapting to firm politics. I also didn’t have anyone to turn to for advice at the very start of my career because I didn’t know any lawyers at the time.
14. Tell us about something new you are learning or would like to improve at over time?
At a recent trip to the Apple store, I was waiting for a staff member to help me. While I was waiting, I looked up at the wall and saw a bunch of products on the shelves. To my surprise, I didn’t know what most of the products were?! True story.
I’ve since decided to work on improving my knowledge of all forms and types of technology. I intend to take our head of IT out for lunch or go chat to my neighbour’s teenage son about all things tech. I never want to fall out of touch with new and emerging technologies.
Ok. Just time for one last question.
15. If you gave a TED-talk on a non-legal topic what would it be?
The power of positive thinking and the importance and value of surrounding yourself with positive people. I once had a friend who was always happy, no matter the circumstances. He always had a circle of positive people around him. Hanging out with people like that keeps your spirits up – and keeps you from becoming upset at minor things that come your way in life from time to time.
Thanks for sharing, Lad!
Next up in the series of 15 Questions in 5 minutes, I will be sitting down with a well-known female health lawyer. More to come soon.