Articles 2019

On February 21, the executive members of the Young Lawyers Division East Section traded in their business attire for aprons and hairnets to serve food at The Ottawa Mission as part of Lawyers Feed the Hungry. During this event, hot meals were served to more than 400 individuals over the course of just two hours. With dinnertime done and the tables cleared, I had two lingering questions in my mind: 1) why was that so rewarding, and 2) when could I do it again?

Suppose you own a house and want to open a restaurant on the ground floor. The applicable zoning by-law happens to permit that use on your property so you pull a building permit for the renovations, get a liquor license and start cookin’ with [TSSA-approved] gas. A week later, the City, in its wisdom, amends the zoning by-law to prohibit restaurant uses at your property. What do you do now?

For most lawyers, the result in court is what matters: Did you get the order you were seeking? How much of your argument did the judge adopt in her reasons? But for the client, it’s not the judgment itself that is significant, but the opposing side’s compliance with it. This article provides a roadmap for enforcement, to help you turn your courtroom victory into the desired result for your client.

Law Society of Ontario (LSO) Bencher elections are coming up soon. In our busy world juggling the early years of practice with family life, staying healthy and going to the OBA’s many interesting events, it is hard to engage with everything. Here are some reasons why you should engage with this year’s elections.

You got into law school, obtained your J.D., passed the Barrister and Solicitor exams, completed your practical experience requirement, and have been called to the Bar. Congratulations! What else can you do with your law degree other than practice law? Read on for an exploration of potential paths available to young lawyers looking for a new direction.

This article identifies, corrects and clarifies eight of the most popular myths relating to termination of employment. Read on for a primer on common law and statutory entitlements, layoffs versus termination, releases, the impact of new employment after termination, and working notice.

Investing time and money into continuing professional development (CPD) can allow you to navigate new technologies, keep up with emerging issues, and make sure that you’re using the best tools and most current information to serve your clients. It is also an opportunity to refresh core competencies.

There are several truisms that accompany the practice of law. One of these is the fact that your family and friends will invariably and periodically ask for your assistance in addressing legal issues. As a trusted companion with the benefit of a legal education, a lawyer may even find that they have been appointed as an estate trustee under the Will of a friend or family member, occasionally without prior consultation.

A case currently before the Ontario courts highlights the importance of fraud and cybercrime awareness for both seasoned solicitors and newly-called lawyers. In Dentons Canada LLP v Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company 2018 ONSC 7311, an associate from the applicant law firm attempted to transfer over $2.5 million to clear a mortgage on his client’s property. Instead, he was duped into transferring most of the funds to a fraudster.

Depending on your personality, networking events can inspire a wide range of emotions. For better or for worse, they are a necessary part of the profession to help build your book of business and create connections that might be helpful for your career. This article contains some tips and tricks complied over the years to help you maximize your experience at networking events and hopefully make it more enjoyable.