BARE BONES BRIEFS: “Most positively reviewed” lawyer faces new misconduct allegations | Law firm openly adopts slippery slope | Calling colleague “pathetic human” is professional misconduct | FCA boosts climate litigation | FC certifies “older inmates” class action
By Julius Melnitzer | January 31, 2024 SAMFIRU TO FACE MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS IN ALBERTA Lior Samfiru, the Toronto-based national co-managing partner of employment law boutique Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, a firm that claims to be the “most positively reviewed employment law firm in Canada”, must now contend with allegations of professional misconduct in Alberta in addition […]
Worrying For Godot
By Murray Gottheil | January 30, 2024 Photo by Keira Burton at Pexels When I practiced law, I worried a lot. I worried about making a mistake on my files. I worried that I was too busy. I worried that I was not busy enough. I even worried for the people at my firm who were […]
Math at the End of Days
Photo by Ana Arantes at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | January 22, 2024 Let’s say that Mike is a partner at his firm. He stays for many years and builds a substantial client base. And while we are making things up, let’s assume that Mike has been a team player and introduced his clients to his partners […]
Another Law Firm Just Went Down
Photo by Irfan Rahat at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | January 17, 2024 Write what you know.~ Mark Twain I know absolutely nothing about the collapse of Minden Gross LLP beyond what I have read in the Globe & Mail. However, I did hang around the legal profession for a long time, and I figure […]
Believe Them the First Time
Photo by Antonio Friedemann at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | January 9, 2024 When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time – – – Maya Angelou I have observed that there are many pitifully unhappy folks in law whose irrational hopefulness is downright impressive in a kind of twisted and sad way. […]
BARE BONES BRIEFS: No kidding: $50 million counsel fee ruled “excessive” in $23 billion class action | CEO mismanagement is grounds for tax relief: FC | M&A activity lowest in decade | PE activity slows to pre-pandemic levels: Blakes | COVID inventory losses not insured: OCA
By Julius Melnitzer | January 7, 2024 FEDERAL COURT SLASHES $50 MILLION COUNSEL FEE Justice Mandy Aylen of the Federal Court of Canada has denied approval of a $50 million fee sought by Sotos LLP; Kugler Kandestin LLP; Miller Titerle+ Co.; Nahwegahbow, Corbiere; and Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLP, class counsel in the $23 billion settlement […]
Grilled Cheese, Please
Photo by Ahmed Rabea at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | January 3, 2024 There is a restaurant in Lakefield, Ontario called the Canoe & Paddle. On their regular menu is an “Ultimate Grilled Cheese”, which comes with smoked bacon, cheddar, asiago, tomato, and garlic butter. On its “Kids & Seniors” menu, the restaurant offers a grilled […]
BARE BONES BRIEFS: OCA upholds $2.5 million award to human rights lawyer | Jeremy Diamond appeals from de facto suspension and $100,000 fine for professional misconduct | Are law firms paying ransomware? | Report: Lawyers are high on AI extinction list | Unaware council passes ChatGPT-drafted law |
By Julius Melnitzer | December 17, 2023 LAWYER’S CAREER-ENDING INJURY JUSTIFIES $2.5 MILLION AWARD: OCA The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a $2.5 million award to Geraldine Sanson, a “highly respected human rights lawyer” whose career ended when a car struck her as she was cycling home from work in 2012. The trial judge […]
Hawkers & Hookers
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 20, 2023 Young lawyers often do not realize, or want to accept, that they are in sales. “I am no salesperson” they think. “I am a professional.” Well, I have news for you. There are only two types of professionals. Those who cannot market themselves, […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Seven: The Supervising Lawyer
Photo by Sora Shimazak at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 29, 2023 This is the last in a series about the questions articling students and new associates should ask when when deciding if they want to stay at their firm long-term. This time, I will speak about supervising lawyers (SL). I was an SL for […]