Articles

About Articles The articles below are published by the Young Lawyers Division of the Ontario Bar Association. Members are encouraged to submit articles. About Articles

Editors: Matilda Lici - Central Region; Caroline Bedard - East Region

Today
Today

5 Things to do during Winter Quarantine to Help Advance your Career

  • September 22, 2020
  • Marlee Olson, staff lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

As lawyers, we are always looking for ways to improve our abilities both in and outside of the office. Here are five ways you can boost your skills during the possible winter quarantine.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
2020 Forum on Diversity on the Federal Bench

2020 Forum on Diversity on the Federal Bench

  • September 22, 2020
  • Angela Ogang, newsletter editor, OBA Young Lawyers Division (Central)

The need to combat systemic racism in the courts and the importance of bringing more people of colour into the judiciary were among the topics discussed during a legal forum, which featured the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and four trailblazing women from the legal community.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division

The Disparate Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tax Litigators and Tax Planners

  • September 22, 2020
  • Milosz Zak, associate, Farber Tax Law

Specialization is much lauded within the legal profession, with lawyers touting themselves as experts in one field or another. However, the shift of work from tax litigation to tax planning during the lockdown and beyond made those few tax law practitioners who are versatile in both areas far more competitive than those who just focused on tax litigation alone. If the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated anything, it is the necessity for professional versatility—at the very least—in tax law.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
Pro Bono Ontario’s Hotline: 21st Century Public Legal Service Delivery

Pro Bono Ontario’s Hotline: 21st Century Public Legal Service Delivery

  • September 16, 2020
  • Ivan Merrow, Glaholt Bowles LLP

Joining the PBO team left me feeling optimistic about the future of legal services. From the perspective of a first-time volunteer, I wanted to share my experience, and a few key takeaways from a day helping folks on a legal help hotline.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
Liability and Autonomous Cars

Liability and Autonomous Cars

  • September 16, 2020
  • Caroline Szczuka

While self-driving cars are an exciting advancement from a technological viewpoint, they raise questions around claim eligibility in the event of a car accident. There should also be clarity around who is accountable for vehicle failure, whether insurance companies can access the vehicle’s on-board technology to determine liability, and how costs will be shared in the event that software failure and human error both contributed to the crash.

Insurance Law, Student Forum, Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law and 1 more..., Young Lawyers' Division

The New Normal: Commissioning Affidavits in 2020 and Beyond

  • September 16, 2020
  • Farhad Shekib, Ricketts Harris LLP

On August 1, 2020, O. Reg. 431/20: Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely came into force. This article outlines the conditions that must be met when commissioning affidavits remotely, and highlights the importance of becoming familiar with remote commissioning best practices.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
They can sing, act, dance AND they’re lawyers?! Ladies and gents, presenting…the Lawyer Show!

They can sing, act, dance AND they’re lawyers?! Ladies and gents, presenting…the Lawyer Show!

  • June 03, 2020
  • Alexandra Mealia, associate, trading documentation negotiator at RBC Capital Markets

How often do lawyers get the opportunity to take a break from their busy, demanding professions to perform with other legal professionals and share their musical talents and artistic passion with the Toronto community while supporting a worthy cause, forging meaningful connections with colleagues and having fun in the process? The author presents to you: "The Lawyer Show". Read on to learn more.

Women Lawyers Forum, Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division
Think Differently, Think Inclusively, Think GBA+

Think Differently, Think Inclusively, Think GBA+

  • May 13, 2020
  • Zack Shaver, counsel at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal

If you work outside of government, the term GBA+ probably doesn’t mean very much to you. The term Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) isn’t much of a giveaway either. Analysing gender? Plus? Plus what? Contrary to first impressions, however, GBA+ is a pretty powerful analytical tool that can help shed light on our blind spots and help us to think about problems and solutions differently.

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division

When is an Ontario Lawyer a “Lobbyist”? - Ontario Lawyers who Lobby are Required to Publicly Disclose their Lobbying Activities

  • May 12, 2020
  • Kyle M. Morrow, Fasken

The role of a lawyer is rapidly changing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasingly, lawyers are being asked to not only interpret laws, but to also advocate for changes to laws. Lawyers who engage in this sort of advocacy should be aware of their obligations under the Ontario Lobbyists Registration Act (“Act”).

Student Forum, Young Lawyers' Division