Friends Who Argue

Public inquiries and coroner’s inquests are many things, but they are not trials. In this first episode of a 2-part podcast, TAS members from across the country share their perspectives on inquests and inquiries, how they function, what they achieve and how to be effective advocates in a non-adversarial process.Ludmila Herbst is a partner at Farris LLP in Vancouver. Ludmila is an experienced litigator and has acted for clients in corporate, commercial, regulatory and public law matters. Ludmila is the current Chair of The Advocates’ Society British Columbia Regional Advisory Committee.Gillian Hnatiw is an accomplished litigator whose diverse practice encompasses administrative law, professional regulation and liability, health law, employment disputes, general commercial litigation, and appeals. Gillian is sought after as a speaker and writer, and regularly shares her experience and passion with communities across the country. She is frequently invited to speak at legal conferences and seminars, and regularly contributes to mainstream and industry publications.Michelle Kelly is a partner in the Halifax office of Cox & Palmer and practices in the area of complex commercial litigation and insurance defence.  Michelle advises her clients on contract disputes, property litigation, construction litigation, commercial claims, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Michelle is the current Chair of The Advocates’ Society Atlantic Regional Advisory Committee.John Mather is a partner at DMG Advocates in Toronto, practicing commercial and public litigation. He has acted in numerous domestic and international arbitrations, including in New York and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  John is an active member of The Advocates Society’s Mid-Career Advocates’ Standing Committee (MASC).Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

The Mid-Career Advocates’ Standing Committee’s Speaker Series explores litigation scenarios that can be impacted by cryptocurrencies. Miranda Spence moderates the discussion with Madison Robins, Richard Niman and Jeff Newton, who share their experiences and insights into the what, when and how of dealing with crypto assets in litigation. Miranda Spence is a partner at Aird & Berlis and is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Financial Services Groups. She maintains a broad litigation practice, with an emphasis on general commercial, restructuring and insolvency disputes. She appears regularly before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, including the Commercial List and the Bankruptcy Court, and has appeared as counsel at all levels of the Ontario courts.Madison Robins is an associate at Lenczner Slaght and has a broad commercial and civil litigation practice, with particular focus on shareholder disputes and oppression claims, contract issues, securities matters, insolvency, and professional liability. Madison regularly appears before all levels of court in Ontario, as well as administrative and arbitral tribunals.Richard Niman is a founding partner at Niman Mamo LLP, a family law practice in Toronto, ON. Richard has conducted trials and appeals at all levels of court in Ontario and before several disciplinary tribunals. Richard has also conducted numerous family law arbitrations and mediations.  Jeff Newton is an Investment Manager and Legal Counsel at Omni Bridgeway, responsible for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and monitoring judgment enforcement matters through to resolution. He has experience representing parties in a wide range of complex commercial cases involving financial fraud, crypto, defaulted debt, technology, environmental, pharmaceutical, insurance and reinsurance matters. He has represented clients on the plaintiff and defense sides in civil and class action lawsuits and helped recover assets globally.Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Michael Ding sits down for a conversation with Frank Walwyn, recipient of the 2022 Eric Hoaken Excellence in Mentoring Award. The pair discuss Frank’s career, what inspired him to become a litigation lawyer and Frank’s approach to mentoring. Drawing from experience, Frank gives invaluable advice to both those looking to be an impactful mentor and mentees seeking a meaningful mentoring relationship.Frank Walwyn is a partner at WeirFoulds, practicing in Toronto, ON. He appears as counsel on complex multi-jurisdiction litigation matters, and his advocacy covers a wide range of matters including challenges to restraint orders made pursuant to criminal Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties, multi-jurisdictional corporate disputes often involving shareholder rights and directors duties, forensic investigations into fraud and corruption, reciprocal registering and recognition of judgments from Canada, the UK, the US and the Caribbean, and complex offshore trusts and estates litigation. Frank is an active member of The Advocates’ Society and is the 2022 recipient of The Eric Hoaken Excellence in Mentoring Award.Michael Ding is an associate at WeirFoulds in Toronto, ON. Michael is a tax litigator. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, he practised as Counsel at the Department of Justice Canada, representing the Crown before the Tax Court of Canada, Federal Court of Canada, Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Michael has experience in advising on various tax and dispute resolution issues.  He is a current member of The Advocates Society’s Young Advocates’ Standing Committee (YASC).Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Kim Potter speaks with Yola Ventresca and Emily Lawrence about their experiences as managing partners of their respective law firms.  They discuss how Yola and Emily came to be appointed to those leadership roles, what they have learned, and how they would describe their management styles.  They also discuss the emergence of younger, female managing partners at several law firms and what accounts for this shift in law firm management.Yola Ventresca is the managing partner at Lerners LLP, practicing in London Ontario. She is engaged in a diverse litigation-based practice. She is a member of the firm’s health law, class actions, commercial litigation and labour and employment practice groups. Yola is a former Chair of the Mid-Career Advocates’ Standing Committee (MASC) of The Advocates’ Society.Emily Lawrence is the Managing Partner of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP. She is an advocate with substantial expertise in professional regulation, pension litigation, employment and labour law, constitutional litigation, civil disputes, and privacy matters. Emily is a former Chair of the Mid-Career Advocates’ Standing Committee (MASC) of The Advocates’ Society.Kim Potter is a partner at Fasken LLP.  Her practice focuses on complex commercial disputes and administrative law, with expertise in professional regulation.  She is a current member of The Advocates Society’s Mid-Career Advocates’ Standing Committee (MASC).Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Webnesh Haile speaks with Neha Chugh, the 2022 recipient of The Advocates’ Society’s Catzman Award for Professionalism and Civility. Neha and Web discuss non-linear career paths, the line between zealous representation and incivility, practical tips for remaining civil, and the role of professionalism in fostering the administration of justice. The Catzman Award recognizes the qualities exemplified by Justice Catzman throughout his distinguished career, including: An exemplary knowledge of the law; Integrity, fairness and civility; Generosity of time and expertise, with a commitment to mentorship and/or legal education; and Dedication to the highest ideals of the legal profession. Neha Chugh is a partner at Chugh Law, a firm based in Cornwall, Ontario which provides services in criminal law (including victim/witness representation), family law and child protection law. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Neha’s practice focuses on conducting effective trials and managing fair resolutions, with a specific focus on youth and adult mental health, litigation, and research. She has conducted a wide range of judge-alone and jury trials including break and enters, sexual assaults, assaults, mischiefs, drinking and driving, and cases in front of various tribunals in Ontario. Webnesh Haile is a construction and infrastructure lawyer and the principal lawyer at Traction Legal, specializing in providing fractional in-house counsel and project shadowing services. Ranked since 2021 in Best Lawyers in Canada for Construction Law, Web previously practiced construction law with two of Canada's top national construction law firms. Web drafts and advises on the negotiation of standard form and bespoke construction contracts and provides legal support and represents clients engaged in dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, adjudication, litigation and arbitration.Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Kristen Duerhammer speaks with Ewa Krajewska and Andrea Gonsalves about the implications of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Sherman Estate v. Donovan, 2021 SCC 25. They discuss the constitutional foundations of the open court principle, the test for discretionary limits on court openness, and situations where court openness would pose a risk to privacy that rises to a public interest dimension of protecting human dignity. Andrea explains how the Supreme Court’s analysis differed from the Ontario Court of Appeal’s analysis and provides examples of subsequent decisions that applied the Supreme Court’s analysis. Ewa shares advice for litigators from her experience in representing one of the interveners at the Supreme Court in the Sherman Estate v. Donovan case. Ewa Krajewska is a civil litigator and a partner at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP. Ewa represented the intervener the Income Security Advocacy Centre at the Supreme Court of Canada in the Sherman Estate appeal on how sealing orders affect those who are vulnerable. She practices in civil litigation, public and administrative law, appellate advocacy, and estates disputes. She is an active member of The Advocates’ Society and is a member of the Education and 10+ Standing Committees.Andrea Gonsalves is a partner at Stockwoods LLP. Andrea’s extensive experience in litigation and dispute resolution spans a wide range, with a particular focus in civil and commercial litigation, defamation and media law, and administrative and regulatory law. She regularly represents clients in cases before all Ontario and Federal courts, as well as adjudicative tribunals.Kristen Duerhammer is a partner at KPMG Law LLP,  in the areas of tax litigation and dispute resolution. She represents taxpayers before the Tax Court of Canada, appellate and other courts, advises taxpayers on communications with tax authorities, and provides legal risk assessments on potential transactions. Kristen is a member of the Young Advocates’ Standing Committee of The Advocates’ Society.Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Chris Horkins sits down with his colleague  Kayla Smith, a TAS member committed to making a difference for aspiring young Black lawyers in Canada. They discuss Kayla’s involvement in various initiatives and tackling the “pipeline” issue for increasing diversity in the legal profession. They touch on the importance of representation, including the recent historic appointment of Chief Justice Michael H. Tulloch, Ontario’s first Black Chief Justice, and explore effective allyship and how lawyers and firms can support and be allies to their Black colleagues.Kayla Smith is a litigation associate at Cassels Brock and Blackwell LLP in Toronto with a broad commercial litigation practice. Kayla was called to the bar in 2021 and received her JD from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, where she graduated as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2020. During law school, Kayla was an Executive Member of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada. Kayla is an advocate for increasing access to legal education for Black students in Canada. She is the founder of the Lloyd Dean Moot, an oral advocacy competition geared to support undergraduate students with an interest in the law, and the JD Bridges Foundation, a non-profit aimed at providing financial support and mentorship to Black students in the law school application process.Chris Horkins is a partner in the Litigation Group at Cassels Brock and Blackwell LLP. His broad commercial litigation practice includes expertise in franchise law, product liability, securities litigation, and class actions. Chris is a member of the 10+ Standing Committee of The Advocates’ Society. Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

From fall 2021 to early 2022, three members of the Young Advocates Standing Committee’s Future of the Profession working group, Brendan McArthur-Stevens, Sara McGregor, and Zac Thiffault, conducted a survey of young advocates asking what they hoped for and expected from their workplaces as people started to return to the office. The survey – The future of advocacy and work arrangements ‘post’-pandemic: Perspectives of young advocates – provides insight into what young advocates are looking for in respect of remote and on-site work, mental health, and mentorship. In this episode, Brendan, Sara, and Zac discuss the results of this survey.The results of their survey can also be found here: https://www.advocates.ca/Upload/Files/PDF/Community_Events/YASC/The-Future-of-Advocacy-Post-Pandemic-Perspectives-of-Young-Advocates.pdfBrendan Mcarthur-Stevens is an associate at Blakes in Calgary. He specializes in complex commercial disputes and advising clients in the areas of constitutional and administrative law. Brendan also teaches administration law at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law.Sara McGregor is a senior associate at Borden Ladner Gervais. She lives and works in Toronto but began her career in Calgary. Sara is currently on maternity leave but she maintains a broad disputes practice with a focus on complex commercial and civil litigation matters involving private and public companies, as well as individuals. Zac Thiffault is an in-house legal advisor with the Métis Nation of Ontario, a role which focuses on Indigenous governance and Aboriginal rights. Before working with the MNO, Zac practised at a small full-service firm in Midland, Ontario, primarily practicing in the areas of civil litigation and estate planning.The interviewer, Karen Bernofsky, is an associate at Stockwoods LLP in Toronto. Karen’s practice encompasses a range of complex corporate commercial civil litigation, administrative law, and criminal law with a focus on complex civil fraud claims. Karen is currently a member of the Young Advocates Standing Committee.Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

This episode features a conversation about private international law hosted by Gabriel Poliquin (Olthuis van Ert) with retired Supreme Court of Canada Justice Louis LeBel and Paul-Erik Veel (Lenczner Slaght). Marking the 10th anniversary of the foundational Supreme Court of Canada Club Resorts v Van Breda decision (written by the Honourable Louis Lebel on behalf of the Court) – which brought greater certainty to the question of when Canadian courts will assume civil jurisdiction, the guests discuss the positive nature of conflict of laws rules, the influence of civil law judges and the evolution of private international law in the internet age.The Honourable Louis LeBel was appointed a justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal in 1984, and was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2000, retiring in 2014. He is now counsel at Langlois in Montreal and Quebec City. He received an honorary doctorate of laws degree from Laval University in 2001 and from the University of Ottawa in 2010, was awarded both the Medal of the Quebec City Bar and the Medal of the Quebec Bar, and was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2017. He has been an honorary member of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2004. Paul-Erik Veel is a partner at Lenczner Slaght in Toronto, where he practices commercial litigation with a focus on class actions. He appears regularly before Courts across the country, including at the Supreme Court of Canada.  Paul-Erik is known for his groundbreaking use of legal data analytics to inform the practice of litigation, for which he was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers of 2022 by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. In addition to his many activities, he also lectures in private international law at the University of Toronto. Paul-Erik clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada from 2009 to 2010 for the Honourable Louise Charron. Gabriel Poliquin is counsel at Olthuis van Ert based in Ottawa. He focuses his practice on all aspects of civil and commercial litigation but with a special focus on public law including proceedings against the Crown. Mr. Poliquin is a trained mediator and offers alternative dispute resolution services in civil and commercial matters. When not acting in public or commercial law matters, Gabriel teaches private international law as a lecturer at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law. Gabriel clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada from 2010 to 2011 for the Honourable Louis LeBel.Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, The Hon. John I. Laskin,  a former justice at the Court of Appeal for Ontario, sits down with Natalia Rodriguez, Partner at Conway Baxter Wilson LLP, to share his observations on oral and written advocacy. The wide-ranging discussion touches on the value and purpose of oral and written advocacy,  the questions in judges’ minds that advocates should address,  what makes a great factum, the importance of the moral high ground,  and much more.Some of former Justice Laskin’s writings on advocacy are available to TAS members in The Advocates’ Journal archive:1.    “A View from the Other Side: What I Would Have Done Differently If I Knew Then What I Know Now” (May 1998) 17:2 2.    “Forget the Windup and Make the Pitch: Some Suggestions for Writing More Persuasive Factums” (August 1999) 18:2 3.    “What Persuades (or, What’s Going on Inside the Judge’s Mind)” (June 2004) 23:1 The Hon. John I. LaskinThe Hon. John I. Laskin was a Justice of the Court of Appeal for Ontario from 1994–2018. During his time on the court, former Justice Laskin made significant doctrinal contributions to every area of the law within the jurisdiction of the court.  A graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Mr. Laskin had a distinguished 23-year career in private practice,  focusing on civil and public law. He served as the head of the litigation department at Davies, Ward and Beck and was counsel to three royal commissions and three provincial inquiries.   The Hon. John I. Laskin has long been a writer, speaker and lecturer on topics related to oral and written advocacy, judgment and decision writing, and related topics. An extraordinary and committed teacher, he gave generously of his time to his clerks, to counsel and to his fellow judges.Natalia RodriguezNatalia Rodriguez is a partner at Conway Baxter Wilson LLP. She practices civil litigation and dispute resolution, with an emphasis on commercial litigation, public law litigation and appellate advocacy. She has advocated at all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Federal Court of Appeal, as well as in commercial arbitration proceedings. Prior to entering private practice, Natalia clerked for three justices of the Court of Appeal for Ontario and for Justice Louis LeBel at the Supreme Court of Canada.   Land Acknowledgement The Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.   While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.   We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In Part 2 of this two-part series, our panel continues their discussion on Indigenous laws and legal traditions, with a focus on the way forward. They discuss some of the work that is already taking place in Indigenous communities to revitalize Indigenous legal traditions and to  exercise governance authority within the Canadian context more broadly, including over water. They also discuss some of the opportunities for more areas of Indigenous jurisdiction, and how to take steps to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.    Aimée Craft is an Indigenous (Anishinaabe-Métis) lawyer from Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba and an award-winning professor and researcher at the University of Ottawa. Since 2013, Professor Craft has led research on Anishinaabe water law. Her award-winning book, Breathing Life Into the Stone Fort Treaty, focuses on understanding and interpreting treaties from an Anishinaabe inaakonigewin (legal) perspective. Professor Craft is the former Director of Research at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the founding Director of Research at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. She is a current member of the Speaker's Bureau of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.Professor Alan Hanna is an Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria, where he teaches in both the JD and the JID programs. He is of mixed Blackfoot, French and Scottish heritage, and is connected to the Secwepemc through marriage. Professor Hanna’s research focuses on Indigenous laws and jurisdiction, governance, rights and title, and environmental sustainability under Indigenous legal traditions, Aboriginal law and jurisprudence, and the intersections between all these systems. Professor Hanna also sits on the Legal Advisory Panel of RAVEN Trust and the Board of Directors of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada.Christina Gray is a lawyer with JFK Law LLP, with a focus on litigation and Indigenous governance. Christina is a Ts’msyen citizen from Lax Kw’alaams in northern British Columbia and Dene from Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. As a scholar, Christina’s graduate research focuses on issues of gender representation within the Ts’msyen legal order and governance system. Christina is also a Yellowhead Institute Research Fellow, which is a First Nations-led think tank rooted in community networks and committed to Indigenous self-determination.Aria Laskin practices Aboriginal, environmental and constitutional law in JFK Law LLP’s Vancouver office. She has appeared in front of all levels of court in British Columbia and Ontario, the Federal Court, the Supreme Court of Canada and a range of administrative and arbitral panels. Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Aria Laskin speaks with Prof. Aimée Craft, Prof. Alan Hanna and Christina Gray about Indigenous laws and legal orders, and the interactions of those systems with Western legal traditions. The panelists introduce the concept of Indigenous laws and legal orders, and some of the key pillars of Anishinaabe law. They also discuss the distinction between Indigenous and Aboriginal law, and the historic treatment of Indigenous legal systems by the Canadian state.Aimée Craft is an Indigenous (Anishinaabe-Métis) lawyer from Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba and an award-winning professor and researcher at the University of Ottawa. Since 2013, Professor Craft has led research on Anishinaabe water law. Her award-winning book, Breathing Life Into the Stone Fort Treaty, focuses on understanding and interpreting treaties from an Anishinaabe inaakonigewin (legal) perspective. Professor Craft is the former Director of Research at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the founding Director of Research at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. She is a current member of the Speaker's Bureau of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.Professor Alan Hanna is an Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria, where he teaches in both the JD and the JID programs. He is of mixed Blackfoot, French and Scottish heritage, and is connected to the Secwepemc through marriage. Professor Hanna’s research focuses on Indigenous laws and jurisdiction, governance, rights and title, and environmental sustainability under Indigenous legal traditions, Aboriginal law and jurisprudence, and the intersections between all these systems. Professor Hanna also sits on the Legal Advisory Panel of RAVEN Trust and the Board of Directors of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada.Christina Gray is a lawyer with JFK Law LLP, with a focus on litigation and Indigenous governance. Christina is a Ts’msyen citizen from Lax Kw’alaams in northern British Columbia and Dene from Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. As a scholar, Christina’s graduate research focuses on issues of gender representation within the Ts’msyen legal order and governance system. Christina is also a Yellowhead Institute Research Fellow, which is a First Nations-led think tank rooted in community networks and committed to Indigenous self-determination.Aria Laskin practices Aboriginal, environmental and constitutional law in JFK Law LLP’s Vancouver office. She has appeared in front of all levels of court in British Columbia and Ontario, the Federal Court, the Supreme Court of Canada and a range of administrative and arbitral panels.  Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Kathleen Lickers, IPC, LSM interviews David Nahwegahbow, IPC, LSM,  the 2021 recipient of The Advocates' Society's Award of Justice. In their fascinating and highly informative conversation, Kathleen and David discuss litigating Aboriginal rights issues from the inception of the Charter up to recent and ongoing litigation during the COVID-19 Pandemic. David C. Nahwegahbow, IPC, LSM David Nahwegahbow is the 2021 recipient of The Award of Justice, and a former director of The Advocates’ Society.  Called to the Ontario Bar in 1982, he is the founding partner of Nahwegahbow, Corbiere Genoodmagejig Barristers & Solicitors. David is also a founding member and former President of the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA); and in 2003, he received the "IPC" designation (Indigenous Peoples' Counsel) from the IBA in recognition for his advocacy work on behalf of Indigenous peoples.  He received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Law and Justice in 2008.  Shortly thereafter, he was presented with the Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award from the Union of Ontario Indians which recognizes the dedication of individuals who have devoted their lives to the service of their communities and the Anishinabek Nation.  In 2010, Mr. Nahwegahbow was inducted into the Common Law Honour Society of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, the Common Law Section's most prestigious Alumni distinction.  In 2011, Mr. Nahwegahbow received the Law Society Medal, an award granted by the Law Society to selected lawyers who have made a significant contribution to the profession.Kathleen Lickers, IPC, LSMRecently awarded the Law Society Medal, Kathleen Lickers is a Seneca from Six Nations of the Grand River and sole practitioner, operating her own law practice at Six Nations.  She is widely recognized for her work in Indigenous Affairs. She has served on the board of the Indigenous Bar Association of Canada and has been described by other Indigenous leaders as a role model for Indigenous youth.  Kathleen is renowned for her expert counsel and as an accomplished negotiator between Indigenous agencies, First Nation governments and federal and provincial ministries.  Former co-chair of the Indigenous Advisory Group to the Law Society of Ontario, Kathleen currently serves on the Board of the Advocates Society and is frequently sought after for her skillful mediating in multi-party, multi-table complex negotiations.Learning Resources from The Advocates' SocietyGuide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous Peoples Guide pour les avocats qui travaillent avec des parties autochtonesLand AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

Excellence in Advocacy – An Interview with Sarit BatnerSarit Batner (McCarthy Tetrault LLP) is the 2020 recipient of the Douglas K. Laidlaw Medal for Excellence in Advocacy. In this episode of Friends Who Argue, Chloe Snider (Dentons Canada LLP) interviews Sarit Batner about what makes for excellent oral advocacy, whether oral advocacy is still important, and how Zoom may be changing advocacy. Sarit also shares her journey to becoming a distinguished oral advocate and key oral advocacy tips.Sarit E. Batner is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Toronto Litigation Group, and a former member of the firm’s Board of Partners. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Litigation Counsel of America. Sarit maintains a significant trial and appellant litigation practice, with a focus on complex commercial litigation and arbitrations. Sarit has experience before courts of appeal, including as lead counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada. She has received a number of accolades, including being listed as a leading litigation lawyer in Lexpert, Benchmark, and Chambers Canada.Chloe Snider is a partner in Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Transformative Technologies groups. Chloe’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, with particular expertise in information and technology disputes. Chloe is a business advisor to local, national and global clients, assisting them in managing risk in corporate transactions and commercial relationships. Chloe has been recognized for corporate commercial litigation in Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert.Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory. While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work. We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

On this episode of Friends Who Argue, we’re sharing Part 2 of our behind-the-scenes look at the work of The Advocates’ Society’s Modern Advocacy Task Force and its final report, the Right to be Heard: The Future of Advocacy in Canada. Task Force member Alex Shelley interviews Advocates' Society president Deborah Palter and Advocates' Society Director Peter Osborne (who chaired the Task Force) about the findings of the report. We encourage you to listen to Part 1 first, for a discussion about how the report was conceived, researched and drafted.Download a copy of the Task Force’s final report here: digital version / print-friendly version.Alexandra Shelley is a senior associate at Torys LLP. Her practice focuses on litigation and dispute resolution in a variety of areas, including corporate/commercial litigation, securities, construction and real estate. Deborah E. Palter is a partner at Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP and President of The Advocates' Society. She is recognized as a leading advocate with a broad commercial litigation practice.  She regularly acts for individuals, corporations and financial institutions providing creative advice and strategies for litigating and resolving complicated business disputes. Peter Osborne is a partner at Lenczner Slaght LLP and sits on the TAS Board of Directors. He is one of Canada’s leading trial and appellate counsel and a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. His advocacy practice includes securities matters, commercial disputes, insolvency and restructuring cases, class actions, governance issues and advice. Peter is a regular instructor for CLE programs of The Advocates' Society.Land Acknowledgement The Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.  While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.  We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

On this episode of Friend Who Argue, we’re sharing Part 1 of our behind-the-scenes look at the work of The Advocates’ Society’s (TAS) Modern Advocacy Task Force (MATF) and its final report, the Right to be Heard: The Future of Advocacy in Canada. Task Force member Alex Shelley interviews TAS president Deborah E. Palter and TAS Director and MATF Chair Peter Osborne about how the report was conceived, researched and drafted. Listen to Part 2 for a discussion about the findings of the report.Download a copy of the Task Force’s final report here: digital version / print-friendly version.Alexandra Shelley is a senior associate at Torys LLP. Her practice focuses on litigation and dispute resolution in a variety of areas, including corporate/commercial litigation, securities, construction and real estate.Deborah E. Palter is a partner at Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP and President of The Advocates' Society. She is recognized as a leading advocate with a broad commercial litigation practice.  She regularly acts for individuals, corporations and financial institutions providing creative advice and strategies for litigating and resolving complicated business disputes.  Peter Osborne is a partner at Lenczner Slaght LLP and sits on the TAS Board of Directors. He is one of Canada’s leading trial and appellate counsel and a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. His advocacy practice includes securities matters, commercial disputes, insolvency and restructuring cases, class actions, governance issues and advice. Peter is a regular instructor for CLE programs of The Advocates' Society.Land Acknowledgement The Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.  While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.  We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

Andrea Bolieiro (Constitutional Law Branch, MAG Ontario) sits down with Daniel Baum of Langlois in Montréal and Ravi Amarnath of the Constitutional Law Branch, MAG Ontario, who have each worked in both public practice and private practice. Daniel started his career at the Department of Justice before moving to private practice, while Ravi started his career at Blakes in Toronto before moving to MAG. Learn about why they made the move, how their lifestyles and careers changed with the transition, what they enjoy most about their current roles, and their advice on making the transition from public to private practice or vice versa. Views are the participants' own. Daniel Baum is a partner in the litigation group at the Montréal office of Langlois Lawyers, LLP. A versatile litigator, Daniel acts in a wide array of commercial and public law disputes. He notably handles matters involving insolvency, commercial fraud, administrative law and regulatory compliance. Daniel has experience before all levels of Quebec and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is also a sessional lecturer in written and oral advocacy at Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Law. Before joining Langlois, Daniel served as litigation counsel for the federal Crown. Ravi Amarnath is counsel for the Ministry of the Attorney General (Constitutional Law Branch). As counsel, Ravi has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Before joining MAG, Ravi served as litigation counsel at Blakes LLP. Prior to commencing his practice, Ravi completed the BCL program at the University of Oxford and served as a law clerk at the British Columbia Court of Appeal.  Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode of Friends Who Argue, moderator Dominique Hussey reunites panelists Atrisha Lewis, Breanna Needham and Erin Durant who originally spoke at The Advocates’ Society 2019 Fall Convention panel on “Connecting to Achieve Change”. The panel discusses: how connecting with their communities has impacted their lives – professionally and personally – since the 2019 panel; the practices they implement to connect authentically with others; practical tips for advocates interested in new ways of connecting; andtrends in social media use in the legal profession. Dominique Hussey is Vice-Chair & Toronto Managing Partner at Bennett Jones, as well as Treasurer of The Advocates’ Society.  Dominique also leads the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation group and is co-head of its Innovation, Technology and Branding group.  Atrisha Lewis is a Partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s Litigation Group in Toronto. Her litigation practice focuses on commercial disputes, professional liability litigation, and product liability matters. Atrisha represents clients in the financial services and technology sectors and has argued before all levels of Court. In 2019, Atrisha was elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario. Breanna Needham is an associate at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP in Toronto. She has a commercial litigation practice with a focus on civil fraud matters. Her practice often involves injunctions and extraordinary remedies, including obtaining Anton Piller (civil search), Mareva (asset freezing), and Norwich Pharmacal (third party disclosure) orders. Erin Durant founded Durant Barristers in Ottawa after practicing as a partner at a major Canadian law firm. Erin's practice includes personal injury/insurance matters, defending professionals in negligence claims and disciplinary complaints. A former competitive athlete and NCCP certified coach, Erin has a particular interest in sports disputes and administration.  She is the author of “It Burned Me All Down” a book on burnout and mental illness in Big Law and how to better support a high-performing workplace.  Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode of Friends Who Argue, Gowling WLG partner Erin Farrell interviews Sylvie Rodrigue and Sarah Whitmore of Torys LLP. Sylvie and Sarah recently represented decorated Canadian boxer, Mandy Bujold, in her fight to attend the Tokyo Olympic Summer Games (scheduled for 2020 and subsequently held in 2021) after a pandemic-driven rule change resulted in her potential disqualification as a result of a maternity leave. Erin Farrell also speaks with Mandy Bujold about her perspective on sport arbitration proceedings. Erin Farrell is a lawyer at the Gowling WLG Toronto office and chair of the firm's pro bono programs. Her practice focuses on a variety of commercial litigation matters, including class actions, product liability, and municipal liability. She is also an active member of The Advocates' Society, including serving on the 10+ Standing Committee, a committee dedicated to advancing the interests of mid-career advocates.Sylvie Rodrigue, Ad. E.  is a partner at Torys who divides her time between the Toronto and Montreal offices. Sylvie leads Torys’ Class Action and Product Liability practices. Sylvie has a broad litigation practice and extensive experience defending class actions in all provinces across Canada both pre-certification and at trial. Sylvie has been involved in a wide range of multi-jurisdictional class actions. She has been awarded the designation of  Advocatus Emeritus by the Québec Bar, a distinction awarded to a limited number of lawyers to honour an outstanding legal career. Sylvie sits on the Board of Directors of The Advocates' Society. Most recently, Sylvie was named Litigator of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Law Awards.Sarah Whitmore is also a partner at Torys and maintains an active disputes practice with an emphasis on class actions, employment law, commercial litigation, public law and constitutional litigation. Sarah is counsel to the defendants in a number of leading and precedent-setting employment national class actions. She also assists clients in resolving claims involving allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment and related allegations of wrongful and constructive dismissal. Sarah is also frequently involved in complex contract disputes, and in addition, maintains a robust defamation practice.Land AcknowledgementThe Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.  We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode of Friends Who Argue, construction lawyer Web Haile speaks with the winner of the 2020 Eric Hoaken Excellence in Mentoring Award, Ranjan Agarwal. Ranjan is a partner and co-head of Bennett Jones' class actions practice who has achieved numerous accomplishments and accolades over the course of his career. Through the lens of his experiences, Ranjan shares lessons learned from Mr. Hoaken (a Bennett Jones colleague and mentor) and words of wisdom about wide-ranging topics such as mentorship, developing as a new lawyer, succeeding in practice as a racialized lawyer, setting priorities, and building a fulfilling career.    The Eric Hoaken Excellence in Mentoring Award is granted to recipients in recognition of dedication to mentoring other advocates; generosity of time and expertise, with a commitment to assisting more junior advocates; commitment to The Advocates’ Society’s mentoring and educational programs; and professionalism in all aspects of his or her participation in the work of the Society, including mentoring and education programs.  Ranjan Agarwal is a partner and co-head of the class actions practice at Bennett Jones. He is a seasoned advocate, having appeared before the Supreme Court on more than a dozen cases. A past president of the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto, Ranjan has held leadership roles in the Advocates' Society and has spoken at a number of the Advocates' Society's CPD programs, including programs regarding advocacy, business development, and at the Spring Symposium. Inline to become the president of the Ontario Bar Association in 2022, Mr. Agarwal will then be the first lawyer of South Asian descent to lead the OBA. Ranjan has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, where Web first met him.  Web Haile is a construction and infrastructure lawyer practicing at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, in Toronto. She acts for construction project participants throughout the project life cycle, from drafting and advising on the negotiation of construction contracts to providing strategic dispute management advice and supporting clients during negotiation, mediation, litigation, or arbitration.