Articles

In the practice of family law, we frequently encounter “difficult” personalities. It might be our own client, opposing counsel, or a self-represented party. Often managing these individuals and the relationships we have with them is the most challenging aspect of what we do as family law lawyers. This article sets out strategies that have worked for Ilana Arje-Goldenthal in managing these relationships, and hopefully they will prove helpful to you too.

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.

It is a universal truth that every law student and young lawyer has, at one point, sat down to tackle a research question and been left staring at a blank computer screen, wondering where best to begin. Luckily, James McCarthy has five great pointers to help get the research started.

On November 3, 2023, the OBA Elder Law and Family Law Sections hosted a joint program entitled, "Trauma-Informed Lawyering - A New Standard For Client Service and Lawyer Wellness". Kavita Bhagat, one of the panellists, draws from her presentation in a three-part commentary on what family lawyers need to know about trauma-informed lawyering.

Penalty clauses are sometimes used in family law agreements to deter or punish breaches of contract. How enforceable are these clauses and what will a court consider when determining whether a penalty clause is valid or void? Alison Boyce examines the recent case of Assayag-Shneer v. Shneer, where the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a penalty clause requiring financial compensation for failure to comply with the terms of a separation agreement.