In my last two articles, I introduced the RECLAIM model as a cultural operating system for law firms, and then explored the first element of the model: Respect.

This month, I turn to the next two elements: Equity and Clarity.

To begin, let me introduce you to Sam.

Sam runs a busy practice. She has a legal assistant whose performance has been inconsistent for years. There are regular typos, misspelled client names, and a lack of attention to detail that means Sam must review everything herself. The opportunities for Sam to delegate are limited, even for simple tasks.

The . . . [more]

“Progressions can’t be made if we’re separate forever.” – Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest)

Whether your path to addressing a dispute is collaborative or adversarial, some degree of interaction with others engaged in the conflict is typically required. The frequency of such interactions can heighten their strain, particularly in circumstances where disputing parties co-exist in close proximity, such as if they share a workplace or are neighbours.

Establishing shared understanding can go a long way in mitigating anxiety and offer comfort through what is often an uncomfortable process – particularly if the dispute resolution path needed is an adversarial one. . . . [more]

Each Monday we present brief excerpts of recent posts from five of Canada’s award­-winning legal blogs chosen at random* from more than 80 recent Clawbie winners. In this way we hope to promote their work, with their permission, to as wide an audience as possible.

This week the randomly selected blogs are 1. Le Blogue du CRL 2. Precedent: The New Rules of Law and Style 3. Robichaud’s Criminal Law Blog 4. Administrative Law Matters 5. Double Aspect

Le Blogue du CRL
Arrêt Fox : Un avocat peut-il se servir de communications privilégiées dans sa propre défense ?

Dans l’arrêt . . . [more]

Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec.

PÉNAL (DROIT) : Une directive portant sur l’utilisation limitée du silence de l’appelant, l’auteur de l’attaque au sabre dans le Vieux-Québec, était nécessaire; l’absence de directive exige que la tenue d’un nouveau procès soit ordonnée.

Intitulé : Girouard c. R., 2026 QCCA 435
Juridiction : Cour d’appel (C.A.), Québec
Décision . . . [more]

A quote I always use when I’m teaching statutory research is, “Statutes are not cuddly, and no one reads them for fun.”[1] The legal profession relies primarily on the written word, and those words typically aren’t light bedtime reading. Legal research, when compared to other mandatory text-dense courses, can offer a reprieve. As a practical course it is often rooted in processes that benefit from visual aids.

This post will provide an overview of some visual aids for teaching legal research that I’ve developed over the past few years. I share these based on positive student feedback and with . . . [more]

A professional legal advocate occupies a unique position, interposed as they are between the justice system on one hand, and their client on the other. Each advocate has a duty of commitment to the client’s cause, and must resolutely pursue the client’s legitimate goals using all legal means. At the same time, the advocate is an officer of the court and must help the legal system accomplish its own objectives. The need to reconcile duties to client with duties to the law comes up frequently in the practice of law, and pervades the study of legal ethics.

The balancing act . . . [more]

For years I’ve been buying the same turkey bites from the grocery store (Canadian made, of course). They’re a high protein, grab-and-go snack. And, for years, I’ve paid about $7.00 for them. During my last visit to the grocery store, those same turkey bites were a whopping $12.99. Reading the sticker price led to an audible gasp while strangers around me nodded in agreement, because without having to say anything, we were all thinking the exact same thing – yes, an 85% price increase is astronomical, but this is our new reality.[1] Just after my shopping experience, I came . . . [more]

Each Monday we present brief excerpts of recent posts from five of Canada’s award­-winning legal blogs chosen at random* from more than 80 recent Clawbie winners. In this way we hope to promote their work, with their permission, to as wide an audience as possible.

This week the randomly selected blogs are 1. Reconciliation Syllabus 2. David Whelan 3. IFLS at Osgoode 4. Excess Copyright 5. Global Workplace Insider

Reconciliation Syllabus
Learning Land and Relationship

For some time, I have been wanting to bring experiential learning related to land to a 3^rd year course I teach in an undergraduate . . . [more]

Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec.

PÉNAL (DROIT) : Le juge de première instance n’a pas erré en concluant que, même si l’accusé n’avait pas la possession réelle des armes à feu trouvées dans l’appartement de son ex-conjointe, duquel il avait été expulsé, il en avait la possession imputée.

Intitulé : S.G. c. R., 2026 QCCA . . . [more]

As a supplement to our Sunday Summary each month, Supreme Advocacy LLP in Ottawa presents Supreme One-Liners, a super-short descriptive guide to the most recent decisions at the Supreme Court of Canada. Supreme Advocacy LLP offers its more comprehensive weekly electronic newsletter, Supreme Advocacy Letter, summarizing all Appeals, Oral Judgments and Leaves to Appeal granted.

Appeals

Insurance: Presumption of Death
Riddle v. ivari, 2026 SCC 9 (40986)

“Return” of a person declared dead, established on a balance of probabilities.

  . . . [more]

Most professionals review their financial portfolios regularly. They assess what’s performing, what’s stalled, and what no longer fits the strategy. They make deliberate decisions about where to invest time and capital.

Almost no one applies the same discipline to the most valuable asset in their professional life: their relationships.

The Asset You’re Not Managing

A contact base that isn’t actively maintained doesn’t stay neutral. It erodes.

The client you worked with intensively three years ago and haven’t spoken to since? They’ve moved on. The colleague who moved to an interesting company but slipped off your radar? They needed someone with . . . [more]

Several times each month, we are pleased to republish a recent book review from the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR). CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), and its reviews cover both practice-oriented and academic publications related to the law.

Legal Knowledge in Organizations: A Source of Strategic and Competitive Advantage. By Robert C. Bird. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 2025. xxv, 261 p. Includes bibliographic references and index. ISBN 9781009596671 (hardcover) $143.95; ISBN 9781009596695 (softcover) $47.95; ISBN 9781009596701 (eBook) $41.99.

Reviewed by Gillian Eguaras
Research Librarian
McMillan LLP

Legal . . . [more]