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Where you can read about lawyering, freelancing, and other legal news ​
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NETWORKING EVENTS FOR LAWYERS: May

4/13/2022

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May 5, 2022 (IN-PERSON): NCA Networking Event, TLA Library, Toronto, ON. 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. 

May 5, 2022 (IN-PERSON): Young Lawyers - Victoria Section, Monthly Mixer, Sticky Wicket (at the Strathcona Hotel), Victoria BC. 5:00pm PT.

May 5, 2022 (IN-PERSON): The Advocates' Society, 
The John P. Nelligan Award for Excellence in Advocacy Dinner. Shaw Centre (Trillium Ballroom), 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa. 6:00pm. Regular Tickets: $140.00 + Tax
Judicial/Government Tickets: $95.00 + Tax

May 10, 2022 (IN-PERSON): The Manitoba Bar Association Women Lawyers’ Forum, 12th Annual Spring Networking Event – Local Makers Sewing Success. Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, 242 Hargrave Street, Winnipeg.  5:30pm - 7:30pm. $40 plus GST. 

May 10, 2022 (IN-PERSON): Toronto Lawyers Association, Awards Gala. Steam Whistle Brewing, Locomotive Hall, Toronto. 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM.

May 10, 2022 (HYBRID): The Advocates' Society, In-House Counsel Social. The Advocates' Society 2700-250 Yonge Street Toronto.  5:30PM - 7:30PM. 

May 12, 2022 (HYBRID): Toronto Lawyers Association, Women in Law Program: Leading with Purpose - The Authentic Leader, Toronto, ON. 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. ​The plenary presentation will be followed by a mentoring mix & mingle.

May 13, 2022 (IN-PERSON): BC Northwest Section, The Battle of the Bar Bands, Royal Canadian Legion, Prince George, BC. 5:00pm PT.

May 17, 2022 (IN-PERSON):  Insolvency Litigation Practice Group, Spring Patio Social. Toronto. 4:30PM - 7:00PM. 

May 19, 2022 (IN-PERSON): Women Lawyers Forum - Vancouver Island Monthly Social, Smiths Pub, Victoria, BC. 5:00pm PT.

May 19, 2022 (IN-PERSON): The Advocates' Society, 
Atlantic Spring Social: Come Together. Lot Six Bar & Restaurant 1685 Argyle Street Halifax. 5:00PM - 7:00PM AT.

May 26, 2022 (VIRTUAL): County of Carleton Law Association, 3rd Annual CCLA Trivia Night. 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Free. 

May 27, 2022 (VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON): Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, 15th Annual Conference and Gala. Toronto.

May 28, 2022 (VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON): Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, 15th Annual Conference and Gala. Toronto.

​Know of any other upcoming social or networking events for lawyers?
​Let us know! And we hope to see you at some of these events soon.


(Please double check dates/times/prices directly on the associations’ websites as this information may change).
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NETWORKING EVENTS FOR LAWYERS: April

3/31/2022

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April 6, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Advocates' Society, Arguing Damages in Securities Litigation. 12:00pm. TAS Members: $40.00 + Tax. Non-members: $75.00 + Tax. Network in breakout rooms after the panel.

April 7, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Advocates' Society, Breakout With the Bench: Leave Your Robes At the Door! 6:00pm. TAS Members: Complimentary Non-members: $25.00 + Tax.

April 7, 2022 (IN-PERSON): Young Lawyers - Victoria Section, Monthly Mixer, Sticky Wicket (at the Strathcona Hotel), Victoria BC. 5:00pm PT.

April 11, 2022 (VIRTUAL): Women's Law Association of Ontario, Integrating Mental Health Practices into your Legal Practice. 5:30pm. Fee: Members $15, non-members $25.   

April 12, 2022 (VIRTUAL): County of Carleton Law Association, CCLA Annual General Meeting. 5pm. 

April 14, 2022 (VIRTUAL): CBA Public Sector Lawyers Section, Public Sector Lawyers Networking Event. 1:00-2:00pm ET. Free.

April 21, 2022 (IN-PERSON): WLF - Vancouver Island Monthly Social, Smiths Pub, Victoria, BC. 5:00pm PT.

April 26, 2022 (VIRTUAL): WLAO Amicus Curiae Book Club. 6pm-8pm. Free - Members Only.

April 26, 2022 (VIRTUAL): OBA Community, Cheese & Beer Tasting. 7:00pm EST. Exclusive to CBA Members (Ontario only): $115 per person plus HST.

April 28, 2022 (IN-PERSON): T​he Advocates' Society Annual Gala, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary, AB. Guest Arrival: 6:00PM. Dinner: 7:00PM (MT). TAS Members: $200.00 + Tax Non-members: $250.00 + Tax Judicial/Government Individual: $150.00 + Tax

Know of any other upcoming virtual social or networking events for lawyers?
​Let us know! And we hope to "see" you at some of these events soon.


(Please double check dates/times/prices directly on the associations’ websites as this information may change).
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Erin Cowling published in Precedent magazine

3/14/2022

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Erin recently wrote about The problem with endlessly complaining about work in the Spring 2022 edition of Precedent Magazine.

Are you guilty of venting about work to your colleagues?  Then read Erin's tips to help you rethink your approach to conversations about work with friends and colleagues.
As lawyers, we often look for safe spaces to vent… These conversations are often valuable. Talking to lawyers who understand our problems can help us brainstorm solutions and feel supported. But when lawyers repeatedly gather just to complain about work, that can be as harmful as poring over negative posts on Twitter…Psychologists have a name for this sort of counterproductive behaviour: co-rumination.
Click to read the full article here. 
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NETWORKING EVENTS FOR LAWYERS: March

2/16/2022

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March 2, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Advocates' Society, Representative Counsel: When, How and Who? (CLE followed by networking in breakout rooms). 12:00pm. TAS Members: $40.00 + Tax Non-members: $75.00 + Tax.

March 4-6 (IN-PERSON): Women Lawyers Forum, VANCOUVER ISLAND SECTION SKI TRIP, Washington BC. 

March 8, 2022: Women's Law Association of Ontario, International Women’s Day. 5:30-7:00pm. 

March 8, 2022 (VIRTUAL): OBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Executive, Spring Section Social. 5:30-6:30pm.

March 10, 2022 (VIRTUAL): OBA Young Lawyers Division, Winter Blaws: Virtual Paint Event. 6-7:00pm. CBA Member: $35. CBA Student Member: $35. Non-Member: $50. Must register by February 25th. 

March 17, 2022 (IN-PERSON): Women Lawyers Forum - Vancouver Island Section, Vancouver Island's Monthly Social Night. 5pm.

March 18, 2022 (IN-PERSON): Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, Bar Social: Big Trouble at BBoss, Big Trouble Bar, Toronto. 8:30-11:00pm. Free for FACL members, $20 for non-FACL members.

March 23, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The BC Women Lawyers Forum, Annual Senior Women Lawyers Dinner. 6-7:30pm. 

March 24, 2022 (VIRTUAL): OBA Entertainment, Media & Communications Law Section, Oscars Social. 6-7pm. Free.

March 24, 2022 (VIRTUAL): WLAO Amicus Curiae Book Club - State of Terror (Hillary Clinton & Louise Penny) 6pm-8pm. Free - Members Only.

Know of any other upcoming virtual social or networking events for lawyers?
​Let us know! And we hope to "see" you at some of these events soon.


(Please double check dates/times/prices directly on the associations’ websites as this information may change).
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Black-Owned Businesses Your Law Firm Can Support (a running list)

2/9/2022

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Are you a law firm that wants to financially support Black-owned businesses? Below is a brief list of ways you and your law firm can do so. Do you have more to add? Email us or comment and we will add it to our list. 

Client and/or Staff Gifts
  • Seventh and Oak: Candles
  • BIPOC Box: Box of branded corporate gifts all made by small businesses and BIPOC-owned makers in North America
  • A Different Booklist: Toronto-based book store. While they are only offering in-store pickup at the moment, you can still check out their Black History Month 2022 booklist for ideas if you do not live in Toronto. 
  • Mary’s Brigadeiro: Box of Brazilian chocolate
  • Jonah’s box: Self-care box
  • Charmberries: Box of chocolate covered strawberries
  • Blooming Flower Bar: Flowers  
  • Bracken Cove: Cards
  • WordsAndWondersCA: Cards

Planners
  • Hustlers Agenda
  • The Success System 

Branding, Marketing, and Business Development Services 
  • Beaver Marketing: Marketing and website design
  • Mammothic Design: Digital marketing agency
  • Designed by Az: Branding and website design
  • Banki Designs: Design, branding, and social media packages
  • Pitch Better: Small businesses development 
  • Ad Meliora: Personalized strategic communication services for women and people of color entrepreneurs
  • She Empowers:  Consulting and marketing company that focuses on helping B2B SaaS and eCommerce businesses
  • SASS Marketing Agency: Full-Service Marketing Services for BIPOC Businesses
  • Top Writing Services Inc.: Marketing consultation and business writing services
  • Group 3737: Business incubator for people of diversity

Other Services
  • The Black Canadian Guild of Virtual Assistants: Virtual assistants and social media managers.  
  • Nola Designs: Interior design for office spaces
  • Assured Parcel: On-demand delivery service in Brampton and Mississauga
  • Lee's Spotless Cleaners & Organizing Services Inc: Office cleaning and/or organization (Brampton) 
  • Makeshift Workspace: Coworking space and virtual office (Vancouver)
  • BOMCAS MEDIA: Photography and video production services (Edmonton)
  • My Dope Tee: Custom branded clothing
  • We Print What you Want: Printing services for business cards, custom apparel, stickers, labels, flyers etc.
  • Black Femme Legal: "Black Femme Legal is an award-winning workplace toolkit for Black queer women, femmes and gender diverse folks across the 2SLGBTQI+ spectrum in Ontario needing workplace-related support" 

Other Buy-Black Directories
  • Afrobiz.ca (Canada-wide)
  • Narcity (Canada-wide)
  • Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (Canada-wide)
  • The Black Market (Canada-wide)
  • Unite Prosper (Canada-wide)
  • ByBlacks.com (Canada-wide)
  • Digital Alberta (Alberta)
  • Simon Fraser University (British Columbia)
  • Black Owned Toronto (GTA)
  • Black Execs (GTA)
  • Blog TO (GTA)
  • The Black Business Initiative (Nova Scotia)
  • Black Owned Manitoba (Manitoba)
  • Black Cultural Society (PEI)

Other Resources for Lawyers and Law firms
  • Moving beyond diversity and inclusion. Some suggestions to work towards equity in the legal profession by Sana Chaudhry
  • In their shoes. Stories of systemic racism from the legal profession by Seema Pandher, Alexandra Heine & Steven Lumbala
  • Black History Month: We need to talk about Black labour by Rebecca Amoah
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NETWORKING EVENTS FOR LAWYERS: February

1/26/2022

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February 8, 2022 (VIRTUAL): Women's Law Association of Ontario, Supplementing Your Practice, 6-7:30pm. Non-members: $30. Members: $15. Students: $10. 

February 10, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Law Society of Ontario, Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, and the Association of Black Paralegals, Black History Month program. 6-7:45pm.

February 10, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Young Advocates Standing Committee, Turning February Blahs Into the Ha Ha Ha’s!. 6-7pm. TAS Members: Complimentary Non-members: $25.00 + Tax.
​
February 15, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Ontario Bar Association, Member-exclusive Chocolate Tasting, 7-8:30pm. $140 +hst.

February 16, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Advocate Society, Virtual Mentoring: Facing the Fear Factor. 5:30pm. TAS Members: Complimentary​.

February 17, 2022 (VIRTUAL): Women in Law Summit Canada, 9:45 am – 4:45 pm ET. 

February 23, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, Racism & Self-Care in the Workplace. 5:30-7pm. 

February 24, 2022 (VIRTUAL): Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, Un-Muted: FACL-Osler Virtual Speed Mentoring 2022. 5:30-7:00pm.

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Mandatory Minimum Compensation for Articling/LPP Students: The Law Society of Ontario Wants Your Feedback

1/24/2022

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​There is an ongoing debate among the Benchers of the Law Society of Ontario about one aspect of the lawyer licensing process and they want to hear your opinion.

In December 2018 the Benchers approved the implementation of mandatory minimum compensation for articling and law practice program (LPP) students, which would be equivalent to statutory minimum wage. The decision was partially based on research showing that, while most placements were paid, approximately 10-15% of the placements, or 130-150 articling students, are paid below statutory minimum wage or are not paid at all!

Subsequently, a new report was made in November 2021 which recommended that minimum compensation be encouraged rather than made mandatory. You can read the 2021 report (which includes the 2018 report) here. 

The Benchers have now deferred the vote on this issue to consult with and receive feedback from licensees, articling students, the public, etc. It's your turn to speak up.

In brief, some of the arguments against mandatory minimum compensation have included: 
  • This requirement will reduce the number of placements overall in a market where the supply of placements continually lags behind the number of candidates seeking to become licensed each year. 
  • It will discourage small firms and sole practitioners from participating in the articling process.

Some of the arguments for mandatory minimum compensation include:
  • The potential for unpaid placements creates financial barriers for economically marginalized groups, undermining diversity in the profession. 
  • Unpaid placements may also impact the ability of candidates to pursue careers in practice areas such as criminal law and family law, which may be less remunerative. 

Have thoughts on this issue? We are sure you do. Don’t stay silent! 

You can read more about where/how to email your comments here. Your comments must be received by March 15, 2022.
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CEo & Founder, Erin, interviewed For "EquiLAWBRIUM" WebsiTE

1/12/2022

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Read how CEO & Founder of Flex Legal, Erin Cowling, found equilibrium between being a lawyer and parenting in her interview with Equilawbrium. 
Read the full article here. 
I had to get to know myself (my strengths, struggles, skills, unique talents, etc.) to find the right career path. I had to learn to listen to myself and not to what others thought would be a good career for me.
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Get to know our freelancers

1/10/2022

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Picture
Meet Rebecca, one of our talented immigration paralegals.

Recently, we asked Rebecca about Freelancing and remote working, here is what she had to say…
 
Q1. Why do you Freelance?

I took the leap into freelancing for many, many reasons.  I think the number one reason why I continue to freelance though is that I really enjoy working with other legal professionals but not in the traditional law firm setting. It’s more project based verse targeting billable hours, and I get to tackle cases in different ways, depending on who I am working with. No two days are the same and I love that! 

Q2. What is your top tip for remote workers?

Create a community of your own and network with people outside of your industry. Remote working includes a lot of communication with your fellow team members, but being able to chat with people that don't work in the same field as you is so beneficial. I quickly learned that all freelancers, regardless of industry, come across the same barriers and can have unique tips and tricks that are easily customizable to my work habits and industry.

Q3. What is 1 fun fact about yourself? 

I was a server at the same restaurant for 10 years before I started my career in law. The skills I learned in hospitality (such as being able to thrive in a face-pace environment, flexibility to work overtime, ability to navigate difficult situations) are the same skills needed to be successful in the legal industry. I don’t think I would be where I am today without my background in hospitality and I am very grateful for that.

Do you think Rebecca (or another one of our freelancers) could help your practice? Get in touch today!
​

The foregoing provides only an overview and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, specific legal advice should be obtained.
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NETWORKING EVENTS FOR LAWYERS: January

1/5/2022

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While the upcoming events may not be as we expected (aka. in-person) I supposed we should be grateful for the internet and the ability to network with fellow lawyers despite restrictions. Back to Zoom we go! 

Find below our list of networking events for lawyers for January. Check back as we will continue to add to it as new events come out. 
January 13, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Ontario Bar Association, Mock Trial Mocktails, 7-8:00pm. Registration fee $25.00 + Tax​.

January 20, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Advocates' Society, An Evening With the Commercial Bench, 7:30pm. TAS Members: Complimentary, Non-Members: $25.00 + Tax​.

POSTPONED: January 20, 2022 (VIRTUAL): The Hamilton Law Association, New Lawyer's Winter Social, 8:00pm.

January 25, 2022 (VIRTUAL): Women's Law Association of Ontario, Amicus Curiae Book Club, 8-10:00pm. This FREE event is open to members only.

January 29, 2022 (VIRTUAL): Representing Diversity in Law, Women for Justice, 1:30-3:30pm. Free.

January 31, 2022 (VIRTUAL): Women's Law Association of Ontario, 2022 Check-in – Starting a New Role Virtually, 12:00pm. This FREE event is open to members only.

​Know of any other upcoming virtual social or networking events for lawyers?
​Let us know! And we hope to "see" you at some of these events soon.


(Please double check dates/times/prices directly on the associations’ websites as this information may change).
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