Navigating the minefield of workplace depression

Former Globe and Mail reporter Jan Wong’s battle with her ex-employer

May 14, 2012

When former Globe and Mail reporter Jan Wong became ill with depression, she says at first she was in denial about her state of mental health. But when her doctor told her she was in fact depressed and she filed for sick leave, it sparked a standoff with her employer that ended in a costly legal battle.

Mental health strategy and the law

Human Rights . . . Here & There

May 14, 2012

Last week the Mental Health Commission of Canada unveiled Canada’s first national mental health strategy through its publication: “Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada,” thus fulfilling one of the key elements of the mandate conferred by the federal government in 2007.

Getting ready for summering

Tips for succeeding in your first law firm gig

May 14, 2012

With most summer students starting at the big law firms last week, Canadian Lawyer 4Students spoke with recruiters and career services professionals to compile a list of the top 10 ways to make the most out of your summer.

Solicitors’ accounts and privilege — the latest word

Trials & Tribulations

May 14, 2012

Two recent decisions — one from the British Columbia Court of Appeal and one from an Ontario class action case management judge — have revisited the ambiguous question of whether solicitor-client privilege attached to a lawyer’s accounts. One might have thought that following the Supreme Court’s decision almost 10 years ago in Maranda v. Richer that the issue was resolved. However, these latest decisions suggest that the question is still live.

CLOs, you need to become progressive people managers

Practising In-house

May 14, 2012

After years of trying to manage the multiple responsibilities of a full-time and demanding senior in-house role, with those of mother and spouse, a friend of mine recently decided to resign from her job. She tried to make it work, including negotiating with her employer to reduce her hours. Her efforts were to no avail. That decision took courage and is to be congratulated as my friend, when forced, chose a path in keeping with her priorities of family first. What irritates me is that she had to

Daubert moves to Canada

Courts concerned about quality of evidence at class certification hearings

May 14, 2012

Canadian courts are increasingly concerned about the quality of evidence at class action certification hearings. As a result, first steps are being made towards Daubert-like rules of admissibility.

Saying ‘yes’ to family

The Accidental Mentor

May 14, 2012

Drrrring! The phone rings at the office, and an unexpected voice greets you. “You know what happened?” says the voice. You scour your brain in vain to recall what it could be about. What follows is a story of indignation over a fence dispute, a business deal gone sour, or — worst of all — a legal dispute with a rogue family member. “We thought,” says the appointed voice of the family cabal, “if we could only get him to listen to some sense. We wouldn’t ask you if we weren’t desp

Video: Making Rain - Episode 26 - Effective relationship building

Reflecting teams: an experiment in understanding, honouring clients

Thinking of starting your own firm?

Periodic table of litigation revealed

There is no joy in Mudville: Hockey and other blood sports in la la land

Twenty years of the Class Proceedings Act

Making the big leap west

Spam by any other name is still spam

Wildrose’s human rights platform should get vigorous debate

iPad apps for lawyers: part II