Our Take On Things
2010 Litigation Year in Review
2010 was a year of change in the way trial lawyers were able to conduct law suits in Ontario. The two areas of most significant change were matters that are $ 25 001 - $ 100 000 and those under $ 25 000.00. A. Changes to the Simplified Procedure($ 25 001.00 -...
Not For Profit Corporations Act (Ontario)
Ontario’s new Not For Profit Corporations Act received Royal Assent this past October and the changes to the legislation are significant for many of the estimated 8 million Ontarians who work with, volunteer for, or represent incorporated volunteer associations. There...
Transparency of Fees (why we're better than the CBC)
Transparency is a topic that has been in the news this week. Regardless of political stripes, everyone must have chuckled when the CBC took out an ad to proclaim their commitment to transparency, while refusing to disclose very basic information on the same day. What...
Giving thanks for Lawyers?
Today is Thanksgiving the U.S.A. so I am taking some time to reflect on the things I am thankful for in our giant neighbour to the south. There are the obvious things: Ben & Jerry’s, Whole Foods & Krispy Kreme donuts. I see a theme here … I’m sure there...
10 Years of Volunteering – Tis the Season
Many of our clients know that we treat the Holiday Office Party a bit differently than the norm. We volunteer our time during the morning & celebrate the season with a lunch in the afternoon. This year we have planned our tenth annual attendance to the CP24 CHUM...
Lest we forget
Today we pause at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to remember all of those who have served in the military, including those who have given their lives. Thank-you is such a small thing to say and means so much in this context. If the Canadians had not...
Settling a Business Law Claim
Last week the headlines in Canada bore the news of the “settlement” in the Omar Khadr case. Facing life in prison, Khadr chose to accept 8 years instead with a possible reduction if the jury hearing the facts of the case came back with a lower term. They didn’t. The...
The Accessible Customer Service Standard
Many Ontario businesses will have received a notice from the provincial government this week about something called the Accessible Customer Service Standard. Many Ontario businesses will then be wondering what that is and what it means to them. Put simply, the...
Vote or lose your Voice
On Monday, October 25, 2010 all Ontarians who are 18 and older have the right to vote in Municipal Elections. Our blogs generally touch on business law issues as that is the nature of the firm, but every now and then there are issues we feel strongly about that go...
Shots of shooting
Our Firm is on Target for 2010
This week we held our firm’s annual Fun Day. Each year we pick something interesting to do that can be worked into a competition and everyone tries hard to make sure Paul Voorn’s name does not end up on the victory plaque again . This year we chose target shooting. ...
The Joy of Mentoring
Within the past few weeks I have had the joy of hearing how two of our former Articling Students have come to realize their “dream positions” and I have been asked to reflect on my personal career path that lead to my life as a Business Trial Lawyer. I was interviewed...
Follow Through
In this blog entry, I will tell you one simple rule that is guaranteed to reduce all of your legal fees, increase your protection from liability and ensure that your affairs are in order. Actually, I already have in the title of this entry – follow through. If you...
Everything I need to know, I learned from the movies (except for the actual Law School stuff)
It’s almost autumn, when a young girl’s fancy turns to movies. Maybe it’s the changing leaves, resplendent in the colours of a Woody Allen set. Or the start of another school year, which brings to mind The Breakfast Club, Rushmore and, erm, Animal House. Most likely...
Dead People and What to Do With their Stuff
Lately we’ve had a lot of inquiries from clients about preparing their wills. This seems to happen when the weather turns cold: much like squirrels gathering nuts for winter, people organize their affairs for when they pass away. However, many people, carrying through...
Sensitive Information
Earlier this week the press treated us to the intimate details of the life of a Manitoba judge and her lawyer husband. As reports go, a few years ago, the husband took some private pictures of his wife and then, during a period of depression, posted them on the...
Generally in Defence of our Civil Court System
The Court System in Canada is in the news this week, in particular the allegation that judges are appointed in Quebec in an unethical manner. I don’t practice in Quebec, so I have no opinion on that story, well, not one I’m putting in a Blog in any event. The Civil...
Watch What You Say
A recent Court of Appeal decision has reminded me of the sage teachings of my Father; if you don’t have anything nice to say, shut your big fat mouth…or something to that effect. In Black v. Breeden, the Court held that Conrad Black is free to pursue a libel action...
Why I'm glad I practice Business Law.
What a crazy week in the headlines – three matters jump to mind that make me grateful I’m a business law lawyer: Paris Hilton is being sued for wearing the wrong hair extensions. Really? Perhaps it’s just my advanced age, but I didn’t even realize she was wearing...
Remote Work
As Inga has noted, summertime is vacation time. For many of us, it’s the time of year when we try to take a week or two and get away from it all. Cool lakes, Muskoka chairs, quiet sunsets and melodious loons all beckon. But again for many of us, it’s almost...
Summertime – It's Not Just for Vacations Anymore
I fondly recall summertime when I was a kid – two months of no school & lots of fun, free time and sleeping in. As a teenager and then young adult in University, I loved summer time as the two to four months when I could earn a lot of money … and spend it as...