Articles

About Articles The articles below are published by the Young Lawyers Division of the Ontario Bar Association. Members are encouraged to submit articles. 

Editors: Emily OKeefe - Central Region; Caroline Bedard - East Region

Today
Today

Where One Door Opens, Another Stays Open: Parallel Statutory Rights of Appeal and Judicial Reviews in Yatar v TD Insurance Meloche Monnex

  • April 19, 2024
  • Alexander Evangelista

The Supreme Court of Canada recently released its anticipated decision in Yatar v. TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, providing its latest substantial commentary on judicial review in Canada. In the face of recent pronouncements about the importance of upholding judicial economy and avoiding multiplicities of proceedings, the Court endorsed the opportunity for parties to proceed with parallel statutory rights of appeal and judicial review.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
head-shot photo of author Emma Huang

Reaction to AI “Hallucination” Case: Food for Thought on Leveraging AI-Powered Tools in Legal Practice

  • April 02, 2024
  • Emma Huang

As the presence of artificial intelligence ("AI") tools in the legal community grows, conversation around appropriate use of AI tools grows too. In this article, Emma Huang discusses the balance to be achieved between using AI to increase efficiency and access to justice in law, while protecting against the less appealing features of this technology.

Law Practice Management, Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
head-shot photo of author Keagan Davis-Burns

Top 5 Reminders from My First 5 Years of Practice

  • March 28, 2024
  • Keagan Davis-Burns

The first several years as a lawyer are full of challenges. As she enters her fifth year of practice, Keagan Davis-Burns provides five important insights into how young lawyers might navigate the rollercoaster first years of their careers.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division

Mastering Mediation: A Compilation of Tips From the Masters Themselves

  • February 07, 2024
  • Nancy Sarmento Barkhordari, Gosai Law

There are many elements to a successful mediation. In my view, each one must be approached thoughtfully. In this article, I have collected tips on these very elements from the Masters of Mediation — seasoned lawyers and mediators alike. Things like what makes for effective and compelling mediation memoranda, the do’s and don’ts of opening remarks, how to prepare your client for mediation, negotiation strategy, and everything in between.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
head-shot photo of author Jessica Byles-Nolet

Mitigation Expands to More Than Just Employees

  • February 02, 2024
  • Jessica Byles-Nolet

For employment lawyers pondering the question of mitigation, Jessica Byles-Nolet provides a thoughtful summary of a recent Court of Appeal decision that considers the duty to mitigate in relation to independent contractors.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
head-shot photo of author Olivia Koneval-Brown

Cautions of Buying a Home after Separating

  • February 01, 2024
  • Olivia Koneval-Brown

In this article, Olivia Koneval-Brown provides an insightful overview of considerations -- both practical and legal -- that newly separated individuals should take into account before jumping to purchase a new home.

Real Property Law, Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
photo of author Michael A. Cappabianca

Unlearn and Rethink: Adam Grant's Important Lessons for Young Lawyers

  • December 11, 2023
  • Michael A. Cappabianca, Aird & Berlis LLP

In his bestselling book, Think Again, Adam Grant encourages readers to think like scientists by routinely testing our most common assumptions and beliefs. This means relying less on our often flawed instincts and heuristics, and making objective evaluations of even the most basic subjects we consider 'common sense'. Can a lawyer think like a scientist?

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
head-shot photo of author Sigma Khan

Engaging Experts To Inform The Law On Artificial Intelligence: A Candid Conversation With Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer at Western University

  • December 11, 2023
  • Sigma Khan, associate at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP

The legal sphere’s neoteric fascination with artificial intelligence is ubiquitous. It is in the interest of the legal community to draw from experts outside of the law to make comprehensive sense of how we should perceive AI in its initial stages. I had the opportunity to discuss AI developments with one such expert, Mark Daley, who was recently appointed as Western University’s inaugural Chief AI Officer.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
head-shot photo of author Geneviève Fauteux

The Rules of Professional Courtesy: Recent Lessons and Reminders from Caselaw on Civility

  • November 28, 2023
  • Geneviève Fauteux

Communicating with opposing counsel can be tricky when procedural and practical issues arise in a given matter. In her article, Geneviève Fauteux reviews recent caselaw focusing on best practices, and requirements, for how lawyers should act when faced with reasonable requests for extensions.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division