With this January 2012 issue of Canadian Lawyer, we kick off our 36th year of covering the issues and trends that matter to the legal profession in Canada. And we have seen a lot of changes, particularly in the last few years. One of the biggest shifts has been the arrival of global law practices on our shores. This month, Macleod Dixon LLP will be folded into the Norton Rose Group, which rocked the Canadian legal establishment last year when it merged with Ogilvy Renault LLP. The face of law practice is changing here and so this year, we have launched a new series on canadianlawyermag.com called the Managing Partner Forum, in which law firm leaders from across the country and all types of firms will discuss the hurdles, successes, and other travails of making it work in today’s market. We launch the series this month with a column from John Coleman, who helmed Ogilvy Renault through its initial merger as well as the marriage with Macleod Dixon to form the new Norton Rose Canada. I look forward to the columns creating some interesting discussions in the profession.
As well, we’ve got a host of new online columnists coming on board for 2012 at canadianlawyermag.com. We welcome Kirk Baert, who will be penning a monthly missive on the state of class action litigation — and not wanting to have it too plaintiff-side heavy, he will be bringing on some guest columnists from the defence side. And one of the things I’ve heard most in my travels is that newly minted lawyers feel a lot less sure of themselves and their futures than they once did and there’s not a lot of information out there to help them along in their careers. So we are launching two new online columns specifically aimed at young lawyers. One is The Accidental Mentor, in which Ontario Bar Association past president Lee Akazaki does his best Dear Abby impression and answers queries of all types from junior associates looking for some guidance. And from the trenches, we have first-year associate Lindsay Scott, who will be sharing the hard lessons she’s learned on the job.
I am also happy to be starting 2012 with our latest Top 10 lists of legal boutiques. Labour and employment and intellectual property boutiques are some of the most prominent in the legal field and it’s always a good competition. Check out this year’s list starting on page 33. As always, I look forward to hearing reader feedback on anything we are doing and anything you think we should be doing. Have a great year.
