Alyssa Tomkins
@alyssa_tomkins
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Litigator in Ottawa (Public and Commercial Law) | Partner at Gowling WLG | Mom | Francophile | Soccer and Hockey Player/Fan | Tweets my own
Ottawa, Ontario
Joined June 2015
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Taking a break from mat leave and this little guy today to argue at
@SCC_eng
about administrative delay!
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Some professional news: I am back at work full-time after mat leave and have joined
@gowlingwlg_ca
as a partner in the advocacy group in the Ottawa office. I am really looking forward to working with the great team there and being reunited with some former colleagues.
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@a_picazo
Ignoring these movements doesn’t make them go away. When I walked through the convoy in Ottawa this winter, I was shocked at the amount of QAnon rhetoric handwritten on trucks etc. Caryma helps expose the popularity of movements that many of us do not otherwise encounter.
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@irbrodie
But why won’t he get one? The whole thing remains bizarre for someone “running for PM”.
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I have now read the case all the way through. Really interesting analysis of how credibility and reliability findings are made. This headline and article take the statement in question completely out of context.
FIRST READING: Supreme Court decision say that the word 'woman' is confusing, 'unfortunate'
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Never forget. As a female graduate of engineering, this day has always meant a lot to me. It could have been any of us, and only for the reason of being a woman.
Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
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Prior to law, I was a young female in engineering. December 6th was always a day of tremendous importance as we all knew it could have been any of us. Remember these women who died because they challenged gender-based norms.
30 years ago, 14 people were killed at l’École Polytechnique simply because they were women. Today, we remember and honour their lives. Tomorrow, we continue fighting for gender equality around the world and here at home.
#rememberthe14
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Shout out to
#lawtwitter
: How on earth are we supposed to actually lawyer on a day that had Globe and Mail expose on pay inequity, cat lawyer, and then Trump rambling defence lawyers all on one day? Best of luck to all on catching up today!
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@KristinRaworth
I actually think it is worse for Trudeau because he has made such a big deal about reconciliation being such a priority. Comes off as way more hypocritical than if Harper had done it.
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I don’t understand why Trump got tested. If he hadn’t been tested, he never would have had it.
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Honoured to have been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in Canada for Appellate Practice and Corporate and Commercial Litigation.
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Having huge FOMO re
#EOT2022
@Advocates_Soc
, but so lucky to be home in Ottawa with this little dude, who is having a rough go with teething.
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@ian_mendes
@lukefoxjukebox
Maybe it just means the Leafs coaching staff don’t feel comfortable having AM on the ice protecting a one goal lead? 🤔
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This day always brings about profound reflection for me, as a female engineering graduate. It could have been me or any of my classmates. It still could be, as the threat has not diminished. Thinking of these brilliant women and the lives they could have led.
#NeverAgain
#December6
, 1989. They died because they were women.
Today is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
#Polytechnique
#16Days
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Always a thrill to argue at the
@SCC_eng
. It was a privilege to represent the
@cancivlib
Canadian Civil Liberties Association in a fascinating appeal, along Albert Brunet of
@cazasaikaley
and Penelope Simons of
@uocommonlaw
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Laskin2020 update:
@uocommonlaw
respondents into the finals!!! Congrats to Emily Dubé and
@JacyGedeon
!
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As a female graduate of engineering, this is always a chilling day. Could have been any of us. Never forget and never stop imagining the futures they would have had.
Remembering: Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
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@DamoSpin
Yes, how about we do so before saying a COVID outbreak on a team is somehow a competitive advantage?!
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If Craig Kielburger were my witness as counsel, I would be losing my mind. Refusing to answer questions like this is devastating for a witness' credibility.
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Am crying. What a moment for women’s soccer in Canada. Unbelievable mental toughness. 🇨🇦❤️⚽️
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@TSNSimmer
I really don't understand why they won't let him try. He seems so much more comfortable there.
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@glen_mcgregor
A lot of educational comments from RSJ MacLeod, clearly aimed at non-lawyer observers. Also explained that the Mareva is not punitive, but seeks to preserve assets for potential remedy in civil claim at risk of dissipation.
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@realsarahpolley
@DFisman
Whodathunk a legit Hollywood actress/director would be stanning an epidemiologist! For some of us, COVID has made science cool again. For others… less so.
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Along with more serious complications immediately postpartum, no one told me that my rib cage would expand such that many of my shirts/jackets would no longer fit and that my feet would grow 1/2 a size, such that at least half of my extensive shoe collection is now useless.
We are so scared as a society about talking and educating openly about what really happens to women’s bodies after delivery and it is absolutely because we are afraid that with more information more women would forego motherhood. That is a concept people just can’t cope with.
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@uocommonlaw
arrived in Quebec and ready to plead at the Laskin Moot 2020!!!
@JacyGedeon
@lauraCJthistle
#snowmageddon
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Brianne Jenner had her baby a month after I had mine. She just tied the Olympic record for goals in a tournament. I just graduated to a walk/run program from brisk walks. The work these women do postpartum to get back to elite level competition is just incredible!
Canadian women’s hockey gold medallist Brianne Jenner receives the best welcome home arriving back in Toronto from
@Beijing2022
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While I am happy with this result, the continued dominance of slates in our elections is troubling. Getting named to a slate seems like the most important step, which is not ideal. I know the
@BGG_Coalition
sees this, so looking forward to seeing their proposals on how to address
The 2023 bencher election results are out — a decisive victory for the
@BGG_Coalition
. Congratulations to all of the leaders in the profession who committed their time, talent, ideas, and care to this race. Results:
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Vous avez l’appui des francophiles aussi dans cette nouvelle lutte
L'abolition par
@FordNation
du
@CSFOntario
et l’avortement du projet d'Université franco-ontarienne constitue la pire attaque envers les francophones depuis l'interdiction de l'enseignement du français, en 1913. Ni plus. Ni moins.
#onfr
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I am sincerely stressed and depressed about this. Aside from the loss of an amazing jurist, it will further destabilize our friends to the south.
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Baby started daycare full-time on Monday. By Wednesday night, he had caught the gastro going around his class. By Friday night, my husband and I both had it. Have used the downtime to watch baseball and catch up on season 2 of Bridgerton.
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The Trudeau government hasn’t been perfect. But both this stunt by the CPC and the NDP’s childish marked up agenda demonstrate that neither of the major opposition parties are serious nor are they ready to govern.
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First concert post-COVID and post-baby: Sting! The red light is on.
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.
@SCC_eng
rejects application of s. 12 of the Charter to corporations. Proud to have acted for
@cancivlib
along with
@PenelopeSimons1
in this one.
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Laskin update:
@uocommonlaw
4th best team overall and Nadine Eltawdy 4th best oralist!
@BLGLaw
, you have a great one in Nadine (articling next year in Ottawa).
Back coaching
@uocommonlaw
Laskin Moot. Virtual this time, but our mooters have all performed brilliantly and had the Laskin rush that keeps us all coming back.
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Notwithstanding that we had a very good idea that this was coming, I still feel physically ill actually seeing it in print.
BREAKING: The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, ending the constitutional right to abortion. More to come.
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As applied to litigation, it is the client’s case, not yours.
One of the most useful pieces of advice I ever heard, came from an Emergency Room Physician. I was a young Corpsman.
While dealing with a teenager-as I recall-who was involved in a horrible auto accident, and just clinging to life, a nurse was starting to go into an observable
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Finally found out that we have been granted leave to make oral submissions at the
@SCC_eng
in the Dunsmuir redux, on behalf of
@cippic
!
@cazasaikaley
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@onlysenators
@FlaPanthers
Genuinely happy for him. Nothing but a classy pro in Ottawa. Dorion gave him the NTC; he had every right to invoke it.
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Back coaching
@uocommonlaw
Laskin Moot. Virtual this time, but our mooters have all performed brilliantly and had the Laskin rush that keeps us all coming back.
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Final tally for
@uocommonlaw
at Laskin2020: 2nd best pair, 5th best oralist (Emily Dubé), 5th best factum and 4th place overall. Great work team!
@lauraCJthistle
@JacyGedeon
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Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.
The White House confirms President Trump left a note for President-elect Biden.
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@justin_nasseri
I would do the opposite: long motions/applications presumptively in person; discoveries presumptively virtual.
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Agreed completely! Don’t be discouraged early. It took me 10 years of working away at it before I argued at the FCA in French. Props to
@ajefo_justice
where I became comfortable speaking in public in French.
Law students asked about practicing French when you are "only bilingual". Yes, you MUST know your limitations, but if you are fluent and need help with terms of art, truly don't overlook what you can learn. Get concrete criticism and feedback to make sure you fill in the gaps.
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Sorry to lose Justice Ngo as a partner, but it is a fabulous appointment. She is highly competent and will do a wonderful job. Congratulations Phuong!
It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Phuong T.V. Ngo as a Judge of the Federal Court.
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Congrats
@JMR_Lawyer
and
@erinpleet
! Such an important win on principles of evidence relating to internet content and whether “doing your own research should” should work in court. Spoiler alert (thank goodness): No!
ONCA on COVID vaccination: (1) Don't believe everything on the internet, even if agreement on admissibility; (2) You can rely on regulatory drug approval, shifting onus to rebut; (3) Discussion on assessing VoC reliability ~32: J.N. v. C.G., 2023 ONCA 77
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Never again. Never forgery. Particularly poignant this year as it is appears some have indeed forgotten.
Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
#Polytechnique
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Happy Festivus! No requirement for the feats of strength this year (that was getting through the year), but I definitely have some grievances to air.
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Pleased to have been recognized by
@BestLawyers
2024 edition in the areas of corporation commercial litigation, administrative and public law and appellate practice. Congrats to all friends and my 243 colleagues at
@gowlingwlg_ca
who were also recognized.
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@gator_gum
Don’t get it either. He just had to answer with the link if that is it. Your question seemed good-natured and reasonable.
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Today: Biden takes the lead in Georgia, more Philly results imminently (imminent since 5 am - ahem CNN), sun and high of 18 in Ottawa, a new SCC decision on duty of care, plus a new episode of the Mandalorian!
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After my Zoom crash yesterday at the SCC, cannot wait to get back to in person hearings!
(1/2) The Court began hearing criminal appeals in person this week and in-person civil appeals begin November 15th.
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Got confirmation that we will be intervening at the
@SCC_eng
for the Uber v. Heller appeal on Nov 6 on behalf of the Canadian American Bar Association. CABA hopes to assist the Court by providing a cross-border perspective on the arbitration-related issues.
@cazasaikaley
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So my plan to make up for yesterday’s non-billable doom scrolling is not off to a great start. Still absolutely riveted to CNN and research re restrictive covenants cannot compete.
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@StephanieCarvin
When my grandmother was in her last few years, she was audited every year for medical expenses, including the hundreds of adult diapers she required every year. You would have thought someone would have realized that this wasn't the most effective allocation of resources, but no.
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@cathmckenna
And why would it be OK that he is going to trample over the rights of accused persons? Imagine what he could have done to Zameer?
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I have spent my first Mother‘a Day weekend home with a sick baby (he is finally on the mend). But nothing makes more obvious the love you feel for your child than how it feels seeing them in distress.
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On
#IWD2020
, my shoutout goes to my mother Dianne Tomkins who was one of two women in industrial engineering
@uoftengineering
and a member of the women's hockey team when they still wore figure skates. She always taught me there was nothing I couldn't do because I was a girl.
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This happened to me once. While being sued personally for $25M and having to call LawPRO was a hassle, one of the allegations was that I had put words in the plaintiff's mouth during cross-examination so kind of a compliment! The case was dismissed under R 2.1.01.
"The case law is abundantly clear that the lawyers for the opposite party cannot be sued for wrongdoing committed within the lawsuit (and in some cases for steps leading to a future lawsuit)."
It's called absolute privilege.
Ahsan v. Minden Gross LLP, 2024 ONSC 1307 (CanLII),
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@KristinRaworth
Can I be so bold as to ask how old you are? There is a huge movement, spearheaded by
@DrPaulaGordon
and others, to reduce the age for screening to 40 in Canada and move away from the outdated guidelines that recommend delaying screening.
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Thank you to Ronald Caza,
@jsaikaley
and the rest of the team at
@cazasaikaley
for the mentorship and support over the years. I look back fondly on having done a lot of great work and having had a lot of fun doing it.
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I know this tweet has gotten a lot of flack but I am 43, have been playing women’s soccer for 35 years and frequently still refer to my teammates as girls. Much to criticize the Alberta UCP on (ahem COVID) but the pile on here is over the top.
Congratulations to Team Canada on the outstanding gold win this morning in Tokyo after a breathtaking penalty shoot-out. I am super proud of our girls. Finally, the gold comes home!
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Huge win for minority language rights this morning! I am so proud of my friends
@JuristesPower
!
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Really pleased to have been nominated for this. Please vote, if so inclined!
🗳️ VOTE NOW! ✔️ Our partners Neena Gupta, Sahil Shoor, Frank Sur and Alyssa Tomkins have been nominated for
@CanLawMag
's "Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers 2024" list!
🌟Cast your vote for the nominees in each category by May 17, 2024 👉
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Spent my evening Dec 30 completing my EDI hours. Got them all through
@gowlingwlg
's excellent podcast Diversonomics (starring
@robaburto
). It is really interesting and very practical. Highly recommended for any other EDI procrastinators.
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@TSNSimmer
I feel like they have destroyed his confidence. DJ even talked about the importance of him playing with confidence after his really strong game in the pre-season (when he was paired with Holden). Then they sent him down.
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BOTG tonight for Sens v Fla. Wild game and have to admit Florida crowd is awesome!
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I didn’t drink coffee either in law school. Then I had my first trial...
I don’t drink coffee (gasp!) and still have loads of student debt so....
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The concern is that the situation is replicated throughout the profession and maybe even exacerbated at smaller firms.
Lots of chatter about that G&M article on Bay Street wage disparity. Of course it is unfair and absurd. But I’m not sure our feminist concern is best spent on people making more than $500,000 per year! Tax them all and redistribute the wealth to poor women, IMO.
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@TSNSimmer
The move to LeBreton is essential. Along with a stronger possibility of attracting a walk-up crowd, part of what is necessary is to extend the game experience to pre- and post- game drinks/food.
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Update on this tweet: no status change. Must give props to CNN for constantly convincing me to keep watching with the promise of new voting results anytime.
So my plan to make up for yesterday’s non-billable doom scrolling is not off to a great start. Still absolutely riveted to CNN and research re restrictive covenants cannot compete.
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Where the SCC will answer one of the questions left open by Vavilov.
The Supreme Court will deliver its judgment on the following appeal on March 15, 2024, at 9:45 a.m. ET: Yatar v. TD Insurance Meloche Monnex. A plain language summary of the judgment will accompany the decision
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💯 Could not agree more. They should select fewer and give more time. As a practical matter, the current approach will also diminish quality over time since the prestige has been lost. We all have the impression they let anyone, irrespective of the quality of the materials.
The SCC needs a new approach to interveners. I am sympathetic to the inclusive approach but 15+ interveners speaking for as little time as they receive — often repeating strikingly similar arguments — does not assist the Court.
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Sent some of my favourite Ottawa craft beer (
@dominioncitybc
) to my Toronto-based recipient
#lawsummersanta2021
. Donation made as well to the
@OttawaFoodBank
. Thanks
@SeanBawden
for organizing!
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Very cool work from
@mjilesen
and team. When I first read the order, I thought wow, I need to get a better understanding of this crypto stuff.
@evanmthomas
any advice?
This was a huge effort and full credit to the amazing team of litigators at
@LencznerSlaght
. We retained them to lead this unprecedented Mareva order freezing bitcoin and other crypto assets to hopefully compensate Ottawa residents and businesses one day. Exceptional advocacy.
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So thrilled to see Erin recognized! I clerked with her way back when. It was always clear she was destined for greatness, but with heart. Both a brilliant and wonderful person.
Can you guess what’s happening here?? It’s some good news!! 👏🔥🥳💪😊💜
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I love watching
@cherylpounder
on various panels, always holding her own with all the guys talking NHL. Great moment for women's hockey though with her and Angela James.
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@ian_mendes
The way I see it, as an adult, I don’t need to eat the things I don’t like that my mom made me eat.
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@CourtReportCA
This is not the first decision in this regard. Clients are entitled to retain Toronto counsel but Ottawa clients should not be visited with these costs absent evidence that no qualified Ottawa lawyers could have been retained.
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Agreed completely. In person chats at discoveries, before and after hearings, etc made such a difference in terms of civility. I agree that costs/convenience now favour some of these things being done virtually, but we need to find a way to encourage chats.
This report on this story pinpoints what I think are key factors: lack of training/mentorship around civility and decreased in-person interaction. "Social" media are killing our social skills.
Uncivil behaviour on rise amongst lawyers: report
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Thanks for having us! I have really enjoyed the
@OBAlawyers
remote litigation series so it was a pleasure to participate.
Another great
@OBAlawyers
remote litigation session, this one featuring Ryan Breedon and
@alyssa_tomkins
. Thanks to you both for sharing your thoughts this morning!
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Awesome show of support from the Ottawa Citizen. This francophile agrees. Éditorial: Les Franco-Ontariens méritent mieux
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Really happy to see leadership on this issue from my alma mater!
.
@uOttawa
announces that vaccination will be mandatory for all students, faculty, staff, and anyone returning to or visiting campus as of September 7th, 2021.
#COVID19On
#Covidvaccine
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I will join others in making a shameless self-plug. I am running again to be a regional representative (Ottawa in my case) on the
@OBAlawyers
Class Actions Section Executive. For those in the section, I hope I can count on your support. DM me if you have any specific questions
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On the eve of Bell Let’s Talk Day, is there an update on the prison phone charge issue?
@mspratt
?
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Thrilled to be co-chairing this great program, with great speakers including Justice Jamal! Contents will be relevant to appellate advocacy generally, with a focus on the SCC.
#TASCPD
Appearing before the SCC? Join us to hear from some of Canada’s most experienced SCC advocates: tips for how to get leave to appeal, and tips for effective written and oral advocacy. Plus, a special Fireside Chat with The Hon. Justice Jamal!
#TASCPD
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@DFisman
Thanks to those who advocated for prioritizing us last spring and to our docs who strongly advocated that we get vaxxed.
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As a female engineering grad, this day has always had special meaning to me.
#Dec6
#neverforget
.
29 yrs. 14 women. Believed to be feminists by their killer. Today we mourn. We remember. Today and everyday we take action in their names and in the names of all women who face violence or who have lost their lives to VAW and misogyny
#Dec6
Pls sign
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Happy to be speaking at this event on Nov 5 en français! See below for registration info.
Les nouveaux avocats et les avocats chevronnés trouveront ce programme opportun. Assurez-vous d’être à jour sur les questions dans ces domaines pour aider vos clients au cours des prochains mois à venir.
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Congrats to my brilliant friend Anne Tardif of
@gowlingwlg
! This is an incredibly well-deserved recognition.
Winners of the 2021
#LexpertRisingStars
are at the top of their professional game while still dedicated to giving back.
See the full list here:
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@Anthony__Koch
Not the best example. Affirmative action type programs are expressly protected under s. 15(2) of the Charter. But I get your point in relation to some of the “analogous” grounds that have been read into 15(1).
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Private practice is particularly difficult to navigate for high performers. I once had it said to me that the practice of law is like a pie eating contest where the only prize is more pie. While partners need to do better, you have to be your own advocate and say no more pie!
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