Recent Developments in AI (Animal Intelligence) and the Law
“If I could talk to the animals…” — Doctor Dolittle By Marcel Strigberger | October 1, 2025 Animal law? Have we come a long way from Noah? This cat came back. I speak of Nub Tang, a Bangkok tabby. She strayed, was rescued and taken to a police station. Ms. Tang, however, got a bit feisty with […]
Partnership, Not the Holy Grail, Part Six: The Non-Equitable Type
By Murray Gottheil | September 10, 2025 In prior parts of this series, I wrote about the advantages and disadvantages of becoming an equity partner in a law firm. In order to complete the picture, I really should address the fantasy of a non-equity partner (“NEP”) as well. Some years ago, law firms decided that they […]
Even in civil cases, court is no place for chickens
Tweedledum and TweedledeeAgreed to have a battle;For Tweedledum said TweedledeeHad spoiled his nice new rattle. — Lewis Carroll, from Through the Looking-Glass What is the oldest profession? You’re wrong. The oldest profession is fighting. People have this innate need to confront one another. It’s in our DNA. It all starts off in biblical times, when Cain […]
Partnership – Not The Holy Grail, Part Five: Change is Inevitable, so Evaluate How the Partnership Admits Partners
Photo from Pexels By Murray Gottheil | August 28, 2025 In this Part, I would invite you to live in an imaginary world where you respect and appreciate all of your partners, each of them is a phenomenally talented lawyer who is also productive, respectful, collaborative, ethical, and has an amazing client base. And they all love […]
Partnership – Not The Holy Grail, Part Four: The Beginning of the Journey
Photo by August De Richelieu at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | August 27, 2025 Becoming a partner in a law firm is easy enough. You pay your money, you take your chances. But what exactly have you bought into? We all know that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Partnership meetings are much the same. […]
Going the Distance: 45 years of Litigation, 10 Golden Nuggets
By Jeffrey Leon | August 22, 2025 Editor’s Note: The author, Jeffrey Leon, is an active arbitrator and mediator at Arbitration Place in Toronto, capping a 45-year career as a trial lawyer and strategic advisor who recently retired from Bennett Jones LLP, where he formerly led the litigation group. He is a past president of […]
Partnership – Not The Holy Grail, Part Three: The Disadvantages
Photo by August de Richilieu at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | August 23, 2025 In Part One of this series, I said that becoming a partner in a law firm is no longer the goal of every young lawyer. In Part Two, I wrote about the advantages of equity partnership. Now, let’s talk about the disadvantages […]
Partnership – Not The Holy Grail, Part Two: The Advantages
By Murray Gottheil | August 21, 2025 In Part One, I explained that as a young buck, becoming a partner was the ultimate goal of every young lawyer. I suggested that this type of thinking is, for good reason, falling from favour. There are good and bad things about being a partner in a law firm, and […]
Partnership – Not The Holy Grail, Part One: Introduction
By Murray Gottheil | August 19, 2025 At my first law firm, there were three partners. After one moved on and another passed away, the remaining owner announced that he had no intention of making any associate a partner soon. So I left. At my next firm, it was my job to create a corporate […]
An Action Plan for Becoming Less Miserable
Photo by Martino Battista at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | August 15, 2025 I understand that newbies to the legal profession who have student debt and no client base often feel locked into jobs that they hate. I do not understand mid-level and senior lawyers who are financially stable and have a client base that stay […]