2015

Today
Today

Beginnings and endings: CBA Legal Conference 2016

  • August 15, 2016

The 2016 CBA Legal Conference went out on a high note, with an on-stage interview with Judy Smith, the real-life basis of the TV crisis management expert Olivia Pope. Before that there was an historic council meeting, an equally historic pitch event, loads of PD sessions, interesting keynote speakers and an intimate evening with Sam Roberts.

Spotlight on: Governance

  • August 15, 2016

More than two years of hard work, cross-country consultations, feedback-seeking and closed-door negotiation culminated at the CBA Council meeting in August with a decision to accept a new governance model and set the association on a new member-centric path.

Tips for happier, healthier lawyers

  • August 14, 2016

There are all kinds of tips out there for ways to take better care of yourself. Specific steps that lawyers can take was the topic of a rapid-fire CBA Legal Conference panel including Dan Pinnington of LawPro, Karen Dyck of the Legal Help Centre in Winnipeg, and Doron Gold, a former lawyer and current clinician at Homewood Health in Toronto.

Educate the public about the law

  • August 14, 2016

Defense lawyer Donald Bayne talks about the need to educate the public and journalists on the justice system and the Rule of Law.

Beware the ‘chaotic herd’ when litigating high-profile cases

  • August 14, 2016

That’s Don Bayne’s best advice for lawyers when facing a trial that’s likely to be tried in the court of public opinion. Bayne knows whereof he speaks – the partner at Bayne, Sellar, Boxall in Ottawa is most recently known for representing Senator Mike Duffy on fraud charges.

Control, shift: Communicating in plain language

  • August 14, 2016

What are some of the reasons people might not get legal help? Cost is the obvious reason. But according to Sarah McCoubrey, a strategist on access to justice issues, people with legal needs often point to two other reasons. They’ll say they’re too intimidated or afraid to ask for help. And that dealing with lawyers and legal documents is too confusing.