The Art of Practice

For lawyers with a higher calling, effective practice is an art. Check in for regular case summaries, practice points, client service tips and more.

Today
Today
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Name and Gender Marker Changes In Ontario: A primer for lawyers

  • November 30, 2023
  • Amy Chen (she/her), Rachel Allen (she/her)

Those looking to change their name and gender markers often face hurdles that cannot be navigated without lawyers. Underscoring the importance of Trans ID clinics, this article offers an introduction to a lawyer's involvement in assisting individuals with their change of name or change of gender marker applications for Ontario documentation.

illustration of different-coloured figures, each with speech bubbles emerging from their heads

Recent Amendments to Canada’s Official Languages Act

  • November 30, 2023
  • Kenza Salah

On June 20, 2023, amendments to the Official Languages Act received Royal Assent as part of Bill C-13. Kenza Salah provides a high-level overview of some of the new provisions that should be of interest to lawyers.

series of clear triangle tiles atop a computer board interior, with one red tile containing an exclamation mark standing out

Ransomware Attack Readiness in the Public Sector

  • August 31, 2023
  • James Kosa and Natalie Bravo

With cybercrime on the rise and its perpetrators increasingly savvy and difficult to catch, organizations must take a multi-pronged approach to protecting themselves. For public-sector entities, the threat of ransomware attacks, a cybercrime that can create considerable harm, not only demands constant vigilance but poses unique considerations in terms of prevention and response.

illustration of pens, flying like darts at at dartboard, with one that's hit the bullseye

Good Legal Writing: What’s the Point?

  • August 30, 2023
  • Shelley Appleby-Ostroff

For more than 20 years, point-first writing has been touted as one of the most powerful legal writing techniques. But, what does it really mean to write point first – and why should you do it?

an older man and woman couple meet with an estate lawyer at a desk as she shows them information on a tablet

The Benefits of Using a Life Care Plan Report in Estate Planning and Litigations

  • August 30, 2023
  • Sponsored article by Galit Liffshiz MA OT Reg.(Ont), certified life care planner/designated capacity assessor

When advising clients whose families include special needs beneficiaries on establishing a Will or getting insurance coverage, there may be obligations to make special considerations, such as homecare services requirements, in which cases life care planners can be a good addition to the team of advisors.

gloved lab tech picks up frozen embryo sample with tweezers

What Happens to Embryos on Separation?

  • June 07, 2023
  • Emma Katz and Kate Deveau

Assisted reproductive technologies have been revolutionary for people and families facing infertility issues, and for single people and queer families wanting to achieve a pregnancy and have children. Read about what happens with frozen embryos with a separation.

illustration of rocket bursting upward from laptop with a trail of red smoke behind it

SPILL: What’s the latest tech you can’t live without?

  • May 31, 2023

With OBA’s annual TECHxpo just days away, we wanted to know the latest technologies and tactics lawyers in different practice areas are finding most useful in their day-to-day work. We asked members to tell us one recently adopted tech tool or newly discovered way of using their existing technology that they now consider indispensable.

Man in shirt and tie getting ready for work and looking nervous, head in hand

Anxious About Returning to In-Person Activities? You Are Not Alone.

  • May 31, 2023
  • Emily Sinkins

Many of us once eagerly anticipating more real-world social and workplace interaction are now struggling to find our footing or feeling flummoxed about reclaiming old stomping grounds. Psychologist Dr. Noah Lazar lays out steps for alleviating the stress and conflicting, confusing emotions around returning to an in-person world.