Septuagenarian lawyer’s AI caution: Requires child supervision
By Marcel Strigberger | April 9, 2026 I am a septuagenarian who is uncomfortable adapting to technology. I thought we had it all with the invention of the sticky note. I never use self-checkout at supermarkets or big box retailers, as not only do I prefer the banter with a live cashier, but that voice […]
Pro Bonzo
Photo by Arindam at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | April 8, 2026 A brave articling student once quipped that, “If you say ‘pro bono’ near Murray, you’d better be talking about Sonny and Cher”. Now that was a tad unfair. It was not that I was against our firm doing pro bono work, but I did […]
New Brunswick assault charge involves accused offering police ‘a present’
By Marcel Strigberger | March 24, 2026 Penalty: Jeremy Robert Weldon, 75 hours of community service for farting. I suppose some elaboration is in order. This is part of the sentence imposed by a provincial court judge in Moncton, N.B. on the gentleman who decided to lead the Mounties on a bit of a chase after driving […]
I am Perfect. Why Aren’t You?
Photo by Furkan Salihoğlu at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | March 22, 2025 Paul is a junior lawyer. His supervising lawyer expects every document that Paul creates to be perfect. To ensure this, the supervisor reviews and often revises all of Paul’s draft documents, no matter how routine they may be. Paul resents the extra time […]
Pet project: What to do about furry friends in family court
By Marcel Strigberger | March 17, 2026 Pets. Are the courts in a divorce action where both parties seek custody to treat them like children or property? The law in this area is all over the zoo. An Alberta judge, Douglas Mah, recently held in a case dealing with four cats that pets are to be treated […]
BARE BONES BRIEFS: A classic case of hubris: lawyers protecting misbehaving lawyers | Regulator says lawyers naughtier than accountants | Environmentalists: at least lawyers don’t make bombs or help sell cigars | Should AI-generated docs attract privilege? | DLA Piper appoints Regional Managing Partners
RECORD FINE FOR AI MISUSE IS NO DETERRENT TO LAWYERS In what is said to be the highest fine imposed so far in Canada on lawyers who misuse AI, the Alberta Court of Appeal has imposed personal costs of $17,500 + GST on an Alberta lawyer who filed a factum drafted by a contractor that […]
Law Means Never Having To Say You’re Sorry
By Murray Gottheil | February 20, 2026 The old timers among us will remember the 1970 movie Love Story, which featured what may be the stupidest line of dialogue ever. I refer to the statement that “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” It would take a lawyer to build upon that bit of nonsense […]
Ex-partners in rhyme: Old MacDonald gets divorced
By Marcel Strigberger | February 17, 2026 We all know Olde MacDonald had a farm. And we all know that on his farm he had an assortment of animals, including chickens, pigs, and ducks. But unfortunately, Olde MacDonald did not have a happy marriage. His spouse, Edna, actually instituted a divorce action against him. I […]
Washington jury decides: Hero sandwich or assault sub?
By Marcel Strigberger | February 12, 2026 Murder by mustard? You are all no doubt wondering about the outcome of the recent trial in Washington, D.C., of Sean Charles Dunn. A jury found him not guilty of assault for throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal agent who Dunn thought was going to arrest some illegal immigrants. […]
Top 10 business decisions of 2025, part two
Bedrin-Alexander: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM By Julius Melnitzer | February 4, 2026 Here is part two of my annual list of the top 10 business decisions in Canada for the year just ended. This two-part series began with the cases ranked sixth through tenth. Part two herein covers the top five cases, in ascending order. 5. Heritage Property Corporation v. […]