Law school can be a steep learning curve, and stepping into the world of practice can seem even more daunting. One of the most common complaints I hear from recent graduates is that they feel under-prepared to deal with the day-to-day realities of practice that they are confronting as articling students or recent calls. While… Read More »
Categories: 2015 Student Issue 3, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Student
With over 120 million users in more than 200 countries (including at least a million lawyers) and web traffic that ranks it as the 13th most visited site on the planet, LinkedIn is the social networking tool of choice for professionals. LinkedIn can also be useful to law students in a number of ways. First,… Read More »
Categories: 2015 Student Issue 3, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Technology, Social Media, Student
Each of us faces challenges in life. Sometimes we welcome those challenges, like marriage, the birth of a child, a promotion or a new job. And sometimes we don’t, like divorce, job loss, a serious illness or the death of a loved one. It is no secret that a legal career brings with it many… Read More »
Categories: 2015 Student Issue 3, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Student, Wellness, Wellness
As part of the inaugural group of Law Practice Program (LPP) participants, I am pleased to have an opportunity to share my impressions with you. The LPP consists of four months of in-person and online training with Ryerson University and a four month work placement. There is also a French LPP run at the University… Read More »
Categories: 2015 Student Issue 3, Articles, Law students/new lawyers
There is a wide range of reasons behind individuals’ decisions to transfer ownership of property. Unfortunately, legal presumptions about transfers don’t always align well with the transferor’s intentions, which can lead to unexpected results. Transfers that are intended to be gifts may be treated as trusts in favour of the transferor; or transfers made for… Read More »
Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, Inadequate Investigation, Malpractice Errors, Wills & Estates
We all know it’s impossible to write an effective will for a client without investigating the details of the client’s circumstances and estate. While this conclusion may seem trite, in recent years LAWPRO has seen an average of 60 claims per year alleging that the lawyer did not investigate key details. This specific error has… Read More »
Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, Inadequate Investigation, Wills & Estates
In 2011, amendments were made to the Estate Administration Tax Act (EATA). The major amendment was to impose on the Estate Representative the obligation to provide financial information about the estate to the Ministry of Finance. The financial information is used by the Ministry to confirm that the appropriate estate tax has been paid by… Read More »
Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Content Type, Wills & Estates
Effective January 1, 2015, a new Rule 48.14 brought significant changes to the administrative dismissal regime in Ontario. After several hundred claims and more than $7 million in claims costs over the last three years, LAWPRO was happy to see old Rules 48.14 and 48.15 revoked. However, while LAWPRO believes the new rule will stem… Read More »
Categories: 2015 February - LAWPRO 20th, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Articles, Civil Litigation, Practice Tips, Time Management
Twenty years ago, an investigative task force appointed by the Law Society of Upper Canada made a sobering discovery: the fund established to pay for professional indemnity claims against Ontario lawyers was underfunded by over $200 million dollars. The resulting crisis presented the bar in Ontario with one of the most serious challenges in its history…. Read More »
Categories: 2015 February - LAWPRO 20th, Articles, Errors & Omissions, Features, LAWPRO policy
While Ontario lawyers will appreciate that LAWPRO defends them on legal malpractice claims, they may not appreciate the breadth of legal issues that come up in those claims. This article highlights leading or significant cases that LAWPRO litigated over the past 20 years, some of which dealt with legal issues and principles that are relevant… Read More »
Categories: 2015 February - LAWPRO 20th, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Limitation Periods, Wills & EstatesLand Acknowledgement
The offices of LAWPRO are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. LAWPRO respects and acknowledges the histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nations.
