Articles 2020

On March 23, 2016, the Ontario Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division East partnered with Dress for Success and Banana Republic to host an event at Banana Republic (Rideau Centre) entitled “A Night of Networking and Empowerment”.

On a chilly day in January, we walked along Richmond Street in Toronto’s Financial District on our way to an immigration law office. Our pace was quick due to our overwhelming excitement – on this day we would meet Yara and Lea, the Syrian refugee family we had been working for months to bring to Canada.

The Ontario provincial government recently made another set of drastic changes to the basic auto insurance coverage mandated in Ontario. The government justified this under the auspices of providing increased “choice to the consumer”. However, less than 1% of motorists in Ontario opt for additional benefits, despite the fact that the cost is relatively minor. This is important, not only for you as a lawyer, but also as a user of that insurance.

Part 1: Insurance Matters- The importance of insurance in personal injury and motor vehicle litigation cannot be understated. Insurance is the means by which an injured person is compensated for their injuries and losses. Without it, an injured person has very few (if any) alternatives. The purpose of this article is to identify what potential insurance coverage exists and how it can be accessed.

Teaching college-level legal studies is just one alternative to traditional legal practice. It can also be a rewarding way to supplement your career as a practising lawyer. It is a career that has real value not only for the educator and future participants in the legal industry, but for the legal profession in general. What could be more rewarding than that?

A panel of four Ottawa lawyers shared their stories on how they ended up working outside of firms and offered their best advice for young lawyers who are considering an alternative legal career. The panel members included Audrey Barrett (National Judicial Institute), Deborah Bayley (Privy Council Office, Government of Canada), Erin McNamara (Scotiabank) and Stefano Taucer (Rogers Communications). Below is an overview of some of what each shared with those in attendance.

How running St. John's Bakery allowed me to expand my comfort zone.

Helpful tips to reinvigorate your search and get your name out there.

It’s such a small, simple word, yet for a young lawyer starting out in their career it can feel impossible at times to say it.

As we hope for serendipity, network for mentors and sponsors, and pray for some rain, we must remember that the most rewarding career is ultimately an amalgamation of diverse experiences. Be bold!