Articles 2021

Business travel can be, in equal parts, thrilling and nerve-wracking, wondrous and monotonous, energizing and exhausting. Working as an international trade lawyer, I often travel to my clients, both within Canada and abroad, instead of the reverse. Of course, there is no one “right” way to travel for business. What follows are a few (hopefully) learned thoughts I have cultivated through my travels.

With a surge in the number of new legal tech startups come concerned citizens warning that lawyers will soon be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). This unwarranted hype around AI is based on the misconception that we have developed a general or autonomous intelligence system - a computer system that mimics human intelligence, replicates human behavior in any context, and recognizes and resolves new problems for which it was not designed.

Explaining behaviour by reference to internal characteristics such as personality traits is called "dispositional attribution." Explaining behaviour by reference to circumstances or environmental factors outside our control is "situational attribution." In this article, the author explains how adjusting your attribution style can make difficult situations more mindful, reflective, and learning-oriented.

Coffee chats are standard fare for job seekers, networkers, and those looking to give back, After spending a few years on both sides of the coffee chat table, this author has five tips for those looking to rock their next one.

The path to become a lawyer and practice law can be difficult. Both current and aspiring lawyers can expect to experience rejection, but it does not define who we are. Rejection can be re-purposed as a stepping-stone for growth.

Construction contracts take many forms around the world. In this article, the author outlines the key elements that are common among many construction contracts, and surveys a number of international standard form contracts available to construction projects globally.

In the face of a lengthy and often conflicting to-do list, the thought alone of having to take the time to prioritize can be cause for paralysis. Deciding what to do right away, what can wait, and what can even slide is no easy task. For those also struggling to prioritize with ease, hopefully the following tips and considerations can be of use.

As a young lawyer, I shied away from the idea of using ADR. I held the mistaken belief that time in court was the sole way to develop the necessary skills to be a litigator. My misperception changed quickly when I shadowed several ADR files. ADR is not only beneficial for the client and the backlogged courts. ADR also provides young lawyers with many additional benefits, four of which are described in this article.

While you may be inclined to prioritize sleeping over socializing after a long day at the office, there is a reason that “networking” is so vigorously encouraged. The legal community is close knit and building relationships with your peers will benefit you personally and professionally in the long haul. Here are five quick tips for making the most of your networking experience.

How do you maintain serviceability while managing the expectations of multiple “internal clients?” In the spirit of the New Year, I consulted with some of my colleagues and came up with the following strategies to assist you to continue to meet expectations while not compromising the quality of your work. Here are some strategies that have proven useful over the past few years.