Our Take On Things

Plain English in Contracts. Yes . We do that.

I started my career as a litigator and that remains about 70% of my personal practice these days. Our firm employs other lawyers who do not practice any litigation and focus on the document side of law. When I started out, 25 years ago, most contracts I litigated on...

Chipping away at our Canadian Democracy

David Frum is a Canadian born, living in the USA, author who just released a book about Donald Trump that details his attacks on the pillars of Democracy in the USA. There has been a lot of press about this lately and it has all been focused on the USA. Last week,...

Residential Leases and Marijuana Use

The Canadian Federal Government is legalizing recreational marijuana use the year. The issue of marijuana use in rental units is an issue residential landlords need to be aware of. The Ontario Provincial Government has indicated it will ban the use of recreational...

Avoiding a Common Disaster

Many times when we meet with our clients to discuss their estate planning, the question of what happens if your spouse and all of your children fail to survive you, triggers a blank reaction. More often than not, this consideration of a common disaster occurring is...

Getting lost in the sound of protest

Have you noticed all the outrage going around these days? Minimum wage increase in Ontario, Diversity Statement for Lawyers, #MeToo for many women - there is a lot of outrage and protest and the message is often getting lost in all of the noise. One topic, as a...

The Company Handbook – do you really need one?

When you hire new employees, how do you make sure they are made aware of policies and procedures within the company? How do you make sure they know what is expected of them as an employee within your company? The Company Handbook is how. Important topics to be covered...

Where's the Exit Sign?

When we are looking to sign a contract, it is easy to become lost in the business details to ensure that the key contract terms reflect business discussions and expectations. Although it is important to ensure that the key contract terms are accurate as you enter into...

Started from the Bottom, now I'm here

I'm fortunate that as part of my career I have the opportunity to Mentor students, beginning at the High School level and carrying on to lawyers about to be Called to the Bar. I've recently encountered some questions during Mentoring interactions that have led me to...

The Scope of Practice of a Paralegal

What is the difference between a lawyer and a paralegal? That is one of the most common questions I am asked by clients. One of the most obvious differences between lawyers and paralegals is education; however, this blog will focus on the scope of practice of a...

Keep your Bum Warm (a.k.a. CYA)

Lawyers provide a service. We do many things including conducting research, advocating for our clients and providing legal opinions. While these services are essential, they are not always welcomed nor are they always appreciated. Many businesses that are not law...

Tax Reform – What's next for Small Businesses?

Back in July, the Liberal government issued draft legislation for proposed tax reforms aimed at private incorporated businesses that fell primarily into 4 categories: Income splitting, Capital gains exemption, Capital gains within a corporate group, and Deferral of...

If it's personal, it might not be smart to sue !

We as humans have a great attribute to persevere. We like to think that everything will work out in the end if we keep fighting for what we believe is right. This idea can get you far in life but it can also cost you a lot especially in the legal field. One of the...

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