Articles 2024

In the context of constructive dismissal, what amounts to “substantial” change to an "essential" term of an employment contract? Specifically, when does a refusal to pay or reduction in employee compensation qualify as constructive dismissal? Recent case law suggests that while refusal to pay a bonus or vacation compensation may be a breach of contract, they may not be "essential" enough to trigger a constructive dismissal. Read on to learn more.

On May 24, 2018, the Law Society of Ontario (“LSO”) released “Options for Lawyer Licensing: A Consultation Paper”. In the paper, the LSO provides four lawyer licensing options for consideration. What are the four options? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each one? Read on to find out more.

Whether you’re in the midst of your job search, or you have been feeling unfulfilled in your current role, here are some tips for helping you find your perfect career fit.

Lawyers practising in a variety of areas, such as real estate, municipal/planning, insurance or estate law, will often approach my colleagues and me about a “one-off” contaminated land issue they are facing in a matter. Following is a brief overview of contaminated land and minimizing personal environmental liability.

Landing a first-year associate position can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Following are ten tips for landing your first associate position.

There are times in every litigator’s practice when he or she concludes that for one reason or another they can no longer act for their client. In order to get off record when a client does not agree, counsel must bring a motion seeking an order removing him or herself as lawyer of record. In doing so, there are three principal issues the lawyer must consider: when, why and how?

This year is shaping up to be a great one for legal innovation in Canada. For many lawyers and firms the task of updating their systems and processes to currently existing technology is an intimidating challenge, and the prospect of actually pursuing innovative or novel solutions is just not on the table. However, and despite this apparently ubiquitous problem, lawyers across the globe have finally begun to embrace technology.

The sun is finally starting to shine, and it seems that spring has arrived. With summer just around the corner, Ottawa has a number of great outdoor team sporting events coming up that you can get involved in with fellow young lawyers or even potential or existing clients.

The race to seek a resolution in Kinder Morgan’s hard-fought Trans Mountain Pipeline saga is making headlines. Kinder Morgan, in news reports, has imposed a May 31 deadline, after which it will cancel its multibillion dollar pipeline project. Meanwhile, Alberta Senator Douglas Black has tabled a public bill that would see that the “Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works are declared to be works for the general advantage of Canada.”

The typical articling term involves a steep learning curve and long hours. It can be difficult to think about or plan for life after that ten-month end date. But once you’ve run the gauntlet and been called to the bar, it’s time to transition into life as an associate. The following observations and tips, learned through experience, can ease this transition.