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 […]
Case selection difficult ‘particularly with respect to role of causation in establishing liability’
Practical realities of value versus cost important factor: Bogoroch & Associates’ Toby Samson This article was produced in partnership with Bogoroch & Associates By Julius Melnitzer | November 27, 2023 Deciding whether to take on a medical malpractice case can be a conundrum – and a great deal of work – even for experienced lawyers. At […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Six: The Law Clerks
Photo by Anna Shvets at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 25, 2023 This is the sixth in a series about information that articling students and new associates should have before deciding to stay at a firm for the long-term. Today it is about some of my favourite people in law firms – the law clerks […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Five: The Chief Financial Officer
Photo by RDNE Stock project at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 22, 2023 This is the fifth in a series about questions articling students and new associates should consider when sizing up their new firm. This time, I will address the senior person in charge of the money, who could have any of the following […]
BARE BONES BRIEFS: LSO alleges misconduct against “most positively reviewed” lawyer | Judge cites lawyers’ conduct in concluding international arbitration susceptible to fraud | Associates seek to refuse work for ethical reasons | $817 million settlement in veterans’ disability class action | Litigation funder’s losses up fivefold
By Julius Melnitzer | November 20, 2023 LSO alleges misconduct against high-profile employment lawyer 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”, is facing professional misconduct allegations stemming from litigation that he threatened or […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Four: The Chief Technology Officer
Photo by Murray Gottheil By Murray Gottheil | November 14, 2023 This is the fourth in a series about questions that articling students and new associates should ponder in determining whether they have landed in the right place. This time I will address the chief technology officer (the “CTO”). Of course, being lawyers we need a […]