Articles

The following articles are published by OBA Sections, including the Student Section. Members are encouraged to submit articles.

Editor: Cláudio Antônio Klaus Júnior 

Today
Today
Shelley Birenbaum,

Q&A with Shelley Birenbaum, OBA Susan Hilary Davidson Memorial Award for Excellence in Health Law Recipient

  • May 24, 2020

Shelley Birenbaum, Shelley R. Birenbaum Professional Corporation, is being honoured this year with the OBA Susan Hilary Davidson Memorial Award for Excellence in Health Law for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the area of health law in Ontario. Gain a glimpse of what motivates her and how she is making a difference in her area of practice in this candid Q&A.

Health Law, Student Forum
Kathryn Bush

Q&A with Kathryn Bush, OBA Award of Excellence in Pensions & Benefits Law Recipient

  • May 24, 2020

Kathryn Bush, Partner, Blakes, is being honoured this year with the OBA Award of Excellence in Pensions & Benefits Law for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the field of pensions and benefits law. Gain a glimpse of what motivates her and how she is making a difference in her area of practice in this candid Q&A.

Pensions and Benefits Law, Student Forum

Accessing Restricted Funds Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis

  • May 22, 2020
  • Andrew Valentine

For charities that hold endowment or other restricted funds, a natural question arises amidst the current economic downtown: can we access these funds to support our programs, meet our expenses and enable us to continue operating during this time of crisis?

Charity and Not-For-Profit Law, Student Forum

The Importance of Cyber Insurance for Law Firms

  • May 22, 2020
  • Christopher Masaki, MBA, development underwriter at Boxx Insurance Inc.

It’s not a matter of if, but when. Technology continues to develop in ways that are both amazing and alarming and allow us to connect in ways we would have previously considered unimaginable. With increased technological advancement and reliance, however, comes increased opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and access hoards of sensitive personal and corporate data, which means increased cyber risks for more and more organizations.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Insurance Law, Student Forum
Considerations Around Virtual Mediation

Considerations Around Virtual Mediation

  • May 22, 2020
  • Christine Kilby

In the current climate of physical distancing, mediating online using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft WebEx has gained prominence. Many mediators are well-equipped to offer their services using these platforms and to respond to concerns that counsel or their clients may have. As counsel consider whether or not to take their mediations online, certain factors will be relevant to the decision-making process.

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Student Forum

Court of Appeal Summaries (May 11 – 15, 2020)

  • May 22, 2020
  • John Polyzogopoulos

Following are summaries of the four substantive civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario released last week. In 4352238 Canada Inc. v. SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., the Court ordered the appeal to be heard in writing over the objection of one of the parties, finding there was nothing in the Courts of Justice Act or the Rules of Civil Procedure that prevented the Court from doing so in these extraordinary times.

Civil Litigation, Student Forum

Program Highlights: Practical Perspectives on Hot Topics, Emerging Issues and Game-Changing Cases

  • May 21, 2020
  • Katerina Maragos, student-at-law, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Five years ago, the Ontario Bar Association’s Aboriginal Law Section held a program titled: “Practical Perspectives on Hot Topics, Emerging Issues & Game-Changing Cases” and since then, the practice of Aboriginal law has changed dramatically. To bring fellow members, non-members and students up to speed, the OBA Aboriginal Law Section hosted an updated version of this program during the OBA’s 2020 Institute. This article summarizes the 2020 program highlights.

Aboriginal Law, Student Forum

Pandemic Productivity: Tips for Working from Home

  • May 21, 2020
  • Nabila Khan, Section Newsletter Editor

Is the line between work and home getting blurry? Switching to working from home has been challenging for many of us. So here are a few tips and tricks that some of the WLF Executive have been using to stay productive.

Women Lawyers Forum, Student Forum

Is Your Environmental Investigation “Essential”? Environmental Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • May 21, 2020
  • Jessica Boily and Natalie Mullins

While businesses are still required to comply with environmental obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic, many may be wondering whether they can engage environmental consulting services. Environmental consultants may themselves be questioning what services they can provide. This article discusses three common situations encountered by businesses and consulting firms along with considerations to assist in determining if environmental work should proceed.

Environmental Law, Student Forum