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Past 40 years marked by a changing mix of lawyers

by LAWPRO

Ontario’s legal profession has experienced significant changes over the last 40 years. In the mid-1970s a critical mass of women began joining the profession in record numbers. Then, in the 1980s, lawyers from Aboriginal, Francophone and equality-seeking communities began entering the profession. Today, the province’s legal profession continues to grow and evolve at a rapid… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Diversity, Features

Cultural competence: An essential skill in an increasingly diverse world

by LAWPRO

multi coloured shapes of people

With each passing day, the legal profession becomes ever more diverse. That diversity brings challenges and opportunities. LAWPRO turned to diversity specialist Ritu Bhasin, Founder and President of bhasin consulting inc., for practical advice about the steps that lawyers and firms can take to welcome lawyers regardless of their personal and cultural identity characteristics, and… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Diversity, Features

Paths to success: As varied as the lawyers who follow them

by LAWPRO

outline of face against colours

“Diversity” describes the characteristics of a group. When we examine how diversity influences the profession as a whole, it’s easy to lose sight of the experience of being an individual lawyer, with specific identity characteristics, practising law in Ontario. While cultural sensitivity benefits all lawyers, what is it like to practice law when, at least… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Diversity, Features, Legal Careers

Manage malpractice risk by recognizing cultural diversity

by LAWPRO

In the social realm, cultural differences can be awkward for those on both sides; but in the context of legal services, cross-cultural misunderstandings and other culture-related factors can occasionally lead to malpractice claims against lawyers. The good news: claims with a cultural component are easily preventable as they tend to reflect certain recurring themes. One… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Criminal Law, Diversity, Practice Tips, Real Estate

What does diversity mean for our profession?

by LAWPRO

multi coloured shapes of people

As I look forward to celebrating in 2015 the 20th anniversary of LAWPRO providing the Ontario bar’s primary professional liability program, it is an appropriate time to reflect on the changes our society and profession have experienced during that time. This issue discusses the diversity that is now represented in our profession, how we are… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Diversity, Editorials

Does title insurance bring benefits to the primary professional liability program?

by LAWPRO

We all know that notwithstanding the rise of title insurance in Ontario, claims arising from real estate practice are still a large (and in many years, the largest) exposure for the primary professional liability program that LAWPRO provides for the Law Society’s lawyer-licensees (the “E&O program”). We have explored why in other articles and settings…. Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Insurance Business, Real Estate, Title insurance

Untangling the myths of Excess insurance

by LAWPRO

Unfortunately, far too many lawyers do not appreciate their full exposure to claims and how excess insurance could be of benefit to them. Excess liability insurance is intended to provide additional limits over that provided by the underlying (primary) liability policy. For lawyers in Ontario, the underlying insurance which all practising lawyers (not on exemption)… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Excess, Excess insurance

Title insurance policies are like a box of chocolates – No two policies are the same

by LAWPRO

“The lawyer should be knowledgeable about title insurance and discuss with the client the advantages, conditions, and limitations of the various options and coverages generally available to the client through title insurance,” states Rule 2.02(10) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. This obligation was brought home in a recent malpractice case where the lawyer did… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Real Estate, Title insurance, TitlePLUS

Does your firm have a social media policy?

by LAWPRO

So your firm has one or more social media accounts they use to deliver its message. But do you have a social media policy for your employees to use? In this day and age, many of your employees have personal (Facebook) and professional (LinkedIn) accounts that may be effectively associated with the firm, based on… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Firm Management, Social Media

Warning: Insurers can ‘contract out’ of the Limitations Act, 2002 in ‘non-consumer’ policies

by LAWPRO

The law of limitations applicable to insurance claims has entered a period of uncertainty, arising in part from insurers’ ability to “contract out” of the Limitations Act, 2002 (LA 2002) where the insured is not a “consumer.” Claims on group long-term disability policies may prove especially hazardous. This article discusses this new development, and touches… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Failure to Know The Law, Limitation Periods

Land 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.

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