OBA Launches “Innovator-in-Residence” Program
Groundbreaking initiative helps lawyers put innovation into practice
Toronto, ON - Today the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) launched its Innovator-in-Residence Program, which will create tools and services to help lawyers and law firms thrive in a rapidly changing world.
About the New Program
Starting this year, the OBA will annually appoint and support an Innovator to serve a 10-month term in which they will focus on a designated innovation theme of importance to practicing lawyers.
While “in residence” the Innovator’s role will be to identify, develop and advance innovations that will help lawyers better serve their clients. Throughout the term, the OBA will deliver practical, cutting-edge tools, services and supports to lawyers and law firms.
As an annually funded initiative, the Innovator in Residence will consistently offer the profession the fresh perspectives, knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to drive change and keep pace with the speed of innovation.
This Year’s Focus – People
In this inaugural year, the Innovator’s focus will be the heart of every law practice – the people.
The Innovator will discover, develop, and disseminate groundbreaking ways of approaching the critical human element of law firms. This will allow the OBA to provide the ideas, tools and supports necessary to help law firms offer their lawyers the engagement and autonomy that will improve retention, maximize their potential and optimize work quality.
This Year’s Innovator – Peter Aprile
The OBA is pleased to appoint Peter Aprile as its first Innovator in Residence. Peter is Counter Tax Lawyers’ founder and a senior lawyer specializing in tax litigation. He is a legal visionary renowned across North America for his creativity, leadership and ability to rethink fundamentals to transform law firms and increase the quality of legal work. Peter is the co-creator and co-host of the popular podcast, Building NewLaw, which introduces the profession to the tools of change.
Quotes
“The OBA is committed to ensuring lawyers thrive in the age of innovation. This program is a direct response to the longstanding needs of the profession. The OBA will serve as the inventors, researchers, testers, and collaborators to enable lawyers and law firms to put innovation into practice.
I am delighted that Peter Aprile will be the OBA’s first Innovator in Residence. As both a leading practitioner and a renowned innovator, Peter’s expertise, creativity and passion for excellence uniquely qualify him to help us offer lawyers the tools they need for today, and the foundation they need for tomorrow.”
-- Quinn Ross, OBA President
“I’m excited to be taking on the role as the OBA’s first Innovator in Residence, and to have the opportunity to focus on creating the best environment to engage a law firm’s people and unleash their full potential.
As a practicing lawyer, law-firm owner and dedicated agent of change, I see enormous potential to create more powerful, flexible organizations and environments that make it easier to innovate and seize opportunities to be better. As a long-time follower and early adopter of new technologies, I would not underplay the important role of technology but, like all aspects of law practice, innovation and excellence start with people.”
-- Peter Aprile, Counter Tax Lawyers, Inaugural OBA Innovator in Residence