From establishing limits and availing yourself of resources, to building your back-up network and creating routines that capitalize on your capabilities and capacity, a sole practitioner shares his advice on balancing a busy practice with fatherhood.

The Court, which has the final word on many issues affecting Canadians from all walks of life, should mirror the diversity of this country. Why? Because we know that a diverse bench only enhances the public’s confidence in our legal system, and diversity enhances the quality of decision-making on the bench.

Allow me to reintroduce you to Samantha Peters (she/her/they/them) – no stranger to the spotlight. Samantha, who proudly identifies as a Black queer femme, was called to the bars of Alberta and Ontario in 2020. In that short time, she has made a palpable impact on the legal profession because of her innovative and rebellious approach to the practice of law and the seemingly fearless way in which she navigates the margins that contemporary Canadian society imposes on her intersecting identities.

In an interview with OBA Criminal Justice Section newsletter editor Allison Lee, Jeff Carolin, a criminal defence lawyer with a restorative-justice-informed practice, recounts his experience representing a sexual assault complainant in a restorative justice process in Toronto, the first of its kind.

We have all been on the receiving end of unsolicited, vaguely undermining, or completely cringeworthy career advice at some point in our professional progress. From the questionable to the objectionable, we asked members to share the worst advice they ever received – and, thankfully, disregarded!

A law student with a passion for employment law reflects on a thorny topic that formed the focus of a recent OBA program – enforcing COVID-19 vaccination policies – and dissects the latest intel and insights from adjudicators in the know.

At the OBA, the pursuit of concrete info and expert insight that will equip lawyers to improve their practices and perform at their very best is endless and all-encompassing – and the fruits of this labour are yours for the taking.

How to stay on top of jurisprudential developments as a junior lawyer and maintain the requisite level of competency to represent your clients.

Criminal defence lawyer Hamna Anwar makes a request to senior counsel: When you are giving advice to junior lawyers who look up to you, please be mindful of the power of your words. Please do not provide advice that teaches young, racialized women to minimize themselves or play it small.

We can apply principles of gathering with purpose and collective brainstorming, and a philosophy of “I am because we are,” to continue to raise awareness and call for action, break barriers and celebrate Black excellence, and lift as we climb and light the way for others every day.