Friends Who Argue

In this episode, commercial litigator Dora Konomi sits down with The Honourable Justice Koehnen of the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto to peel back the layers of the self-represented litigant. Are your self-reps difficult or often caught in a complex system? This episode explores the modern trends driving this rise in self-reps—including the skyrocketing cost of legal services and the "i...

This episode of the podcast, hosted by Eric Sherkin, a partner at Miller Thomson LLP in Toronto, features a discussion about business development for litigators, with lawyer and career coach Jane Southren and Kelly Osaka, a partner at Dentons LLP in Calgary. The conversation explores mindset shifts needed to effectively transition from associate to partner, relationship-building techniques, and pr...

In the second part of this two-part series, the Honourable Patrick Boyle continues his conversation with Justin Kutyan, National Leader of the Tax Litigation group at KPMG Law LLP, to discuss Patrick’s reflections from serving as a judge on the Tax Court of Canada for 17 years. In episode two, Patrick shares what he found to be effective (or not effective) advocacy from counsel, discusses differen...

In the first episode of this two-part series, the Honourable Patrick Boyle sits down with Justin Kutyan, National Leader of the Tax Litigation group at KPMG Law LLP to discuss Patrick’s reflections from serving as a judge on the Tax Court of Canada for 17 years. In episode one, Patrick shares what it was like to get the phone call appointing him to the Court and the lifestyle differences moving fr...

This episode of Friends Who Argue features a discussion panel with three lawyers who have made the transition from BigLaw to found very different types of small or solo legal practices. Our speakers include Alexi Wood, Ryan Breedan, and John McIntyre. Our panelists discuss the very different reasons why they decided to found an independent legal practice, the myths and misconceptions of starting a...

This episode of Friends Who Argue marks our first French episode, as we are discussing mentoring with TAS’ Quebec recipient of the Excellence in Mentoring Award, Julie Chenette. Dans un entretien avec Antoine Veillette, nos deux invités ont l’occasion d’échanger sur ce que la relation de mentorat leur apporte, sur l’identification d’un bon mentor et l’opportunité d’en identifier un au sein de son...

In this episode of Friends Who Argue, we’re joined by seasoned commercial litigators Allison Speigel and Pete Smiley to break down the complexities of litigating fraud cases. In our discussion, we explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of fraud litigation—highlighting key challenges, common pitfalls, and strategies for success. The episode also delves into recent high-profile fraud cases, offerin...

This episode of Friends Who Argue features an interview with the recipient of the 2023 Catzman Award for Professionalism and Civility, Nader Hasan, conducted by his law Partner at Stockwoods LLP, Gerald Chan. Nader Hasan discusses his experiences with mentorship in his career, handling high-profile cases covered by the media, time management, and receiving the 2023 Catzman Award. Nader Hasan is a...

In this episode, Samantha Chang of Dentons Vancouver interviews Adrienne Smith, a transgender human rights activist and social justice lawyer, and winner of the 2024 Joe Arvay Award. The award recognizes an advocate in British Columbia for advancing a claim or area of law under challenging circumstances. Adrienne reflects on their work advocating for, among others, workers, women, and drug users....

This is the third and final segment of the Right to Disconnect limited series podcast. In this segment, Young Advocates Standing Committee Member James Hardy moderates a discussion with Dr. Ghebrehariat, who practises as a psychiatrist and lawyer in Toronto, focussing on the right to disconnect and burnout in both the medical and legal professions. Dr. Lwam Ghebrehariat, JD, MD, FRCPC is a psychia...

This is the second of three segments in a limited series on the Right to Disconnect. In this segment, Young Advocates' Standing Committee Member James Hardy moderates a discussion with Ms. Erin Durant, who founded Durant Barristers in Ottawa after practising law as a partner at a large national firm and who was recognized by Canadian Lawyer in 2022 as one of Canada’s most influential lawyers,...

This is the first of three podcast segments in a limited series on ongoing practice and procedural issues affecting young lawyers inspired by the Right to Disconnect policy incorporated into the Employment Standards Act, 2000 on December 2, 2021, and on how lawyers can proactively balance their professional and ethical obligations through the right to disconnect.  In this first segment, Young Advo...

In this second episode of a 2-part podcast on inquisitorial proceedings, our expert TAS panel from across the country explains how they bring their own experience and perspective to their work on public inquiries and coroner’s inquests. In this episode, you will hear about these lawyers who found themselves practicing in this area and the challenges they have faced working in the spotlight while i...

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 liti...

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 m...

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 mento...

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 a...

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 q...

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 p...

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 Chi...

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’-pand...

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 great...

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 fac...

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...

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...