Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Article | October 20, 2025
Pro Bono IP Clinics: Inspiring Innovation and the Next Generation of IP Lawyers
The article discusses the growing need for accessible intellectual property (IP) legal support in Ontario, especially for small businesses, startups, and early-stage entrepreneurs who face financial and informational barriers to protecting their ideas. Despite Ontario’s status as a thriving innovation hub, current legal resources—especially in IP—are insufficient to meet the demand. To address this gap, university-based pro bono IP clinics are emerging as a key solution. The article focuses on the Western Intellectual Property and Innovation Legal Clinic (WIPILC) at Western University’s Faculty of Law, led by Dr. Bassem Awad. Founded in 2021, the Clinic helps innovators across Southwestern Ontario understand and protect their IP while offering law students practical, hands-on legal training.
Article | October 20, 2025
Court of Appeal Summaries (October 13 – 17)
Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of October 13, 2025.
Article | October 20, 2025
Court of Appeal Summaries (October 6 – 10)
Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of October 6, 2025.
Article | October 15, 2025
WSIAT, OEA, and OWA at 40: An Origin Story
October 1, 2025 marked the 40th anniversary of the WSIAT, the Office of the Employer Adviser, and the Office of the Worker Adviser. This article traces their shared origins in the 1980 Weiler Report and the sweeping reforms that shaped Ontario’s modern workers’ compensation system.
Article | October 14, 2025
The Impact of Eliminating Examinations for Discovery in 2026
In 2026 the Civil Rules Review Working Group (CRRWG) is looking to bring changes which include the elimination of Examinations for Discovery and replacing it with an early disclosure of all affidavits from all anticipated trial witnesses and documentation to be used at trial. Among the proposed reforms, the elimination of discoveries is by far the most discussed and striking proposal for litigators. Without oral testimony prior to trial, lawyers lose the critical opportunity to assess a plaintiff’s credibility and identify inconsistencies in their affidavits or documents. With trial being the first time evidence is heard, both parties may face unexpected developments, making it harder to anticipate and counter arguments. The elimination of discovery also removes the ability to request undertakings for key documents. Under the proposed 'documentary disclosure', there’s concern that parties may withhold materials that could support the opposing case. Without the mechanism of undertakings, obtaining crucial evidence may become significantly more challenging.
Legislative Update | October 14, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 6
Premier Ford Car Alarm: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Canadian officials and business leaders that America is committed to consolidating vehicle assembly within its borders and that Canada would come “second”. Premier Ford warned that Canada faces a massive threat to domestic manufacturing, and threatened cutting off critical mineral exports to the U.S.
Article | October 14, 2025
Court of Appeal Summaries (September 29 – October 3)
Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of September 29, 2025
