Articles 2019

If you are a solo practitioner, chances are you are going to be a highly motivated self-starter. However, you will also be acutely aware of your limitations, as you are often required to work at your personal capacity. We can all use help and encouragement to stay motivated. It’s important to remind ourselves why solo practitioners should be respected by the legal profession and selected by clients in the market for legal services.

No firm is the same, but there are common keys to establishing a successful enterprise uniquely yours while building a solid reputation and stepping up client service. Sparing would-be sole and small-firm practitioners potential missteps or missed opportunities, OBA panelists (at a program co-presented by the Law Practice Management and Sole/Small Firm/General Practice sections) from a variety of practice areas shared what they wish they'd known before setting out on their own.

OBA Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Section Chair, Grant Buchan-Terrell outlines his priorities for the Section this year and highlights what's in store and why you should get involved.

While succession planning may be difficult for many lawyers – particularly practitioners who are older or located in more remote areas of the province – it is absolutely necessary in the interest of the public. Lisa Laredo looks at the recommendations and shares creative solutions.

The story of King Midas is about the tragedy of avarice and contemplates what follows when true happiness is not recognized. Midas was a man who wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. The law firm equivalent is of course the “Rainmaker”. However, too much rain is as bad as too much gold. Midas’ blessing turns out to be a curse.

In this article, Grant Buchan-Terrell, principal of gbtlaw, offers some survival tips for solo and small firms from his 22 years of up and down experiences as a business law boutique practice.

Section 235 of Bill C-19 (which received royal assent on June 23, 2022) introduced the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, which prohibits Non-Canadians from purchasing, directly or indirectly, any residential property in Canada. The introduction of the bill is in accordance with one of the federal government’s primary goals of stabilizing the housing market and providing more affordable housing to Canadians.

On September 30, 2022, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the authors spoke at a webinar titled "Reconciliation in the Legal Profession". During the event, they shared insights on a range of questions surrounding truth and reconciliation in the legal profession, to equip legal professionals in all practice areas with the knowledge necessary to play a more active role in truth and reconciliation. This article summarizes some of the key takeaways.

Lawyers need to practice what they preach and implement a succession plan that kicks in when they are no longer willing or able to continue in the profession.