By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Trauma-informed lawyer Leanne Goldstein says the aim of her new disability law firm is to help clients “transition from a very difficult period in their lives to reach a point of successful closure.” “Our motto is ‘The courage to fight; The compassion to care,’” says Goldstein, who opened the doors to […]
New firm has ‘the ammunition’ to take on any insurance company Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • The presumption of innocence is one of the core principles of the Canadian criminal justice system. This principle means an accused person does not have to prove their innocence. Instead, the Crown prosecutor must establish that a crime was committed. If the Crown fails to show proof beyond a reasonable doubt,
Testifying in your own defence not always the best idea Read More »
By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Incoming Toronto Lawyers’ Association (TLA) president Aitan Lerner says if you want to get something done give it to a busy person – an appropriate adage considering his new role. Erin O’Donovan, outgoing president, hands over the mantle of command to Lerner, an Assistant Crown Attorney with the Ministry of the
‘We ensure our voices are heard’: new TLA president Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Social media platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat are used to connect to friends and family. They can also be used to lure a child into a sexual encounter. In 2002 the crime of luring a child was added to the Criminal Code, making it illegal to communicate with someone “who
What you need to know about the charge of child luring Read More »
By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Employers who fail to follow the letter of the law when terminating a worker could find themselves paying hefty moral damage awards, says Toronto employment lawyer Ellen Low. Denying an employee their basic statutory rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), even inadvertently, can be costly, says Low, principal of Ellen Low &
Denying an employee their basic ESA rights can be costly Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Federal and provincial legislation stipulates that anyone acting as a step-parent for a child may be expected to pay child support if their partner dies. According to the federal Department of Justice, “once a step-parent relationship has been established, the obligations of that step-parent towards the children are similar to those
Step-parents need to understand their child support obligations Read More »
A recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision reminds employers that they cannot mess around with minimum statutory rights when terminating someone’s position. In Teljeur v. Aurora Hotel Group, 56-year-old John Teljeur was dismissed without cause after more than three years in a senior management role. Unknown to his employer, he surreptitiously recorded the discussion when
ESA rights cannot be used as bargaining chips Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • The Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability recently released a report detailing the violent deaths of women and girls between 2018 and 2022 in Canada. According to the organization, 850 females were killed in the past five years, or one every 48 hours. Additionally, between 2019 and 2022 there was
Canada does not need a new criminal charge of femicide Read More »
By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • With Law Society of Ontario (LSO) bencher voting quickly coming to a close, the Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA) is reminding its members, and all lawyers in the province, of the importance of making their voices heard at the ballot box. “Historically, voter turnout has been low during bencher elections
TLA encourages all lawyers to cast a ballot in bencher elections Read More »
By Paul Russell, LegalMatters Staff • A growing number of Canadians are discovering the health benefits and lower commuting costs associated with cycling, says Ontario personal injury lawyer Joshua Goldberg. “The biggest downside is the risk of an accident,” says Goldberg, principal of Joshua Goldberg Law. “Unlike motor vehicles, bicycles offer no protection to the rider, so
Cycling has many benefits but it also comes with risk Read More »
