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What’s brewing: Legal services are changing from conference room to cafe

The past couple of decades have witnessed drastic changes in how legal services are provided. We now see law offices in traditional settings, such as tall buildings with elevators, and also in supermarkets, warehouse stores and even cafes—as seen in the recently established Toronto cafe Lawyers & Lattes Legal Café. It begs the question: Where are legal services heading?

Marcel Strigberger

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Why the law suit fits this lawyer's style

It’s Thursday morning. I’m at my desk in the smallish office my law firm provides me as a retired partner. One thing distinguishes me from all the other men in the office this morning (besides being the oldest): I’m wearing a suit and tie. Well, technically, I’m wearing part of…


Norm Tabler

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Stepping down from the bench doesn’t have to be the closing act for retiring judges

While watching the Australian Open in January, I found it fascinating to witness the interaction of three generations of sensational tennis players, following the stunning win of a young up-and-comer over a tennis great. White-haired John McEnroe interviewed 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas after his four-set win over 37-year-old Roger Federer, who sheepishly walked off the court looking discouraged. Tsitsipas was shocked and excited and told McEnroe, whom he long had admired, “You are my hero.”

Janet Schrager

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Law firms shouldn’t overlook value of soft skills

Soft skills do not get much attention in law firms. That was my experience when I was practicing in small, medium and larger firms, and it still is the case today.

Susan Smith Blakely

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Lawyers with depression can still zealously represent clients while embracing their humanity

Hello. My name is Stephanie. I am an attorney, writer, speaker, respectful disrupter and lifelong misfit living with depression.

Stephanie Mitchell Hughes

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Is there anybody in there? Lawyers can learn something about mindfulness from Pink Floyd

As an advocate of mindfulness and meditation programs in law firms, I have a somewhat different take on the lawyer well-being issue that the ABA has championed. But both I and the ABA agree that lawyer well-being is a timely concern, and my view is that our law firms have done little but pay lip service to the notion. To use a phrase, the silence has been deafening.

Jeffrey H. Bunn

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Law firms either keep up with tech or get left behind

I spend a lot of time thinking about a version of that classic interview question where applicants are asked to envision their future. But, instead of thinking about my own future, I think of the legal profession’s future. If you haven’t done it, give it a try: What will legal work look like in 15 years?

Gabriel Teninbaum

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How do Catholic Church lawyers determine the credibility of sex assault allegations?

Last year, a grand jury released a 900-page report highlighting 70 years of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Pennsylvania. Sadly, this abuse wasn't limited to one state, and numerous state attorneys general have initiated investigations. As a locally elected official and former federal agency chief counsel, my concern is the method attorneys general use, or are not using, to examine how church lawyers determined the credibility of past allegations and why all allegations weren’t immediately referred to local law enforcement for prosecution.

K. Denise Rucker Krepp

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The case for bar associations: Why they matter

I have to confess that I am a bar association “junkie.” It’s hard for me to get enough. I love the camaraderie, the opportunity to meet and work with lawyers from all walks of the profession, and the feeling that we do sometimes make a difference. I suspect that there are many in this particular audience who feel similarly.

Adrienne B. Koch

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Judging the judges: With all due respect, of course

Can judges get nasty and difficult? I have been retired from my litigation practice in Greater Toronto for about two years now. I am therefore in a good position to answer that question with all confidence and security, and above all without fear of repercussions.

Marcel Strigberger

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