Six Lawyers in Their First Six Years of Practice Discuss Legal and Professional Issues

Six lawyers in their first six years of practice address six distinct issues. 

Working with Self-Represented Litigants: Professional Obligations and Practical Consideration

Zanab Ali outlines lawyers’ obligations when dealing with self-represented litigants, including making their role clear and confirming procedural discussions in writing. She also addresses AI-generated materials that appear persuasive but misstate the law, and explains why counsel should put the correct legal framework before the court early.

High Court: Unique Challenges Posed by Offences Under the Cannabis Act

Alex Garrett examines how low-level workers at cannabis grow facilities can face production charges when an operation exceeds its licence limits. Drawing on a case in which gardeners received absolute discharges, he considers their limited knowledge and culpability compared with those who control the operation.

From Imposter Syndrome to Prepping for a Simplified Procedure Trial

Pamela Goulet-Gosselin draws on her first simplified procedure trial, a medical malpractice case, to show how early discussions with opposing counsel can narrow what must be decided at trial. She covers agreements on documents, experts and damages, and the value of professional trust when trial time is limited.

Novel Tort, Novel Trouble: Discussing the SCC’s Dissent in Ahluwalia

Julia McDonnell examines the dissent’s concerns about the newly recognized tort of intimate partner violence, particularly its potential to complicate family proceedings. She raises questions about how tort and family claims fit together, how findings may carry between proceedings, and how to avoid duplication while preserving access to justice.

Pay Now, Argue Later: Construction Adjudication in Ontario

Chelsea Packman explains how Ontario’s construction adjudication process can resolve payment disputes quickly while work continues. She covers filing deadlines, proper invoices, notices of non-payment and the interim but binding nature of decisions, illustrating how a missed notice can affect the immediate payment result.

Navigating Related Employer Applications During Certification Disputes

Using a construction project hypothetical involving several related companies, Tony Virgin explains how a certification application can prompt a union to seek a related employer declaration. He sets out the Labour Relations Act test and the corporate, financial and operational connections the Labour Board may examine when deciding whether to treat the companies as one employer.