The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50821
opinion Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editor/Associate Publisher: Gail J. Cohen Associate Editor: Helen Burnett Copy Editor: Matt LaForge Creative Director: Einar Rice Art Director: Janet Popadiuk Account Co-ordinator: Mary Hatch Contributing Editors: Jean Sorensen, Geoff Kirbyson, donalee Moulton Canadian Lawyer is published 11 times a year by Canadian Lawyer Magazine Inc., 240 Edward St., Aurora, Ont. L4G 3S9 (905) 841-6480 Fax: (905) 727-0017. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. Information pre- sented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, how- ever, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Canadian Lawyer Magazine Inc. disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. Advertising Sales Representatives Legal Suppliers: Kimberlee Pascoe Tel: (905) 713-4342 E-mail: kpascoe@clbmedia.ca Law Firms: Karen Lorimer Tel: (905) 713-4339 E-mail: klorimer@clbmedia.ca Kathy Liotta Tel: (905) 713-4340 E-mail: kliotta@clbmedia.ca Sales Co-ordinator: Sandy Shutt Tel: (905) 713-4337 E-mail: ssutt@clbmedia.ca Inside Sales Rep: Rose Noonan Tel: (905) 726-5444 E-mail: rnoonan@clbmedia.ca Canadian Lawyer Magazine Inc. President: Stuart J. Morrison 240 Edward St., Aurora, ON L4G 3S9 Phone: (905) 841-6480 Fax: (905) 727-0017 E-mail: canlawmag@clbmedia.ca Web: www.canadianlawyermag.com Publications Mail Agreement #40766500 ISSN 0703-2129 Copyright © 2008 G.S.T. Registration #R121349799 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESS TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 240 EDWARD ST., AURORA, ON L4G 3S9 RETOURNER TOUTE CORRESPONDANCE NE POUVANT ÊTRE LIVRÉE AU CANADA AU SERVICE DES PUBLICATIONS 240 EDWARD ST., AURORA, ON L4G 3S9 Circulation/Address Changes/Subscriptions Helen Steenkamer Toll Free: 1-888-743-3551 Ext. 4376 Fax: 905-841-4357 E-mail: hsteenkamer@clbmedia.ca Subscription rates: Canada1 year print and digital $65 plus GST, 1 year digital only $55. Outside Canada 1 year print & digital $94.50 (USD), 1 year digital only $40.00(USD). Student rate 1 year print and digital $36 plus GST, 1 year digital only $20 plus GST. For all circulation inquiries and address changes send a copy of your mail- ing label or labels along with your request in writing to Canadian Lawyer 240 Edward Street, Aurora, ON, L4G 3S9 Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com JULY 2008 3 EDITOR ' S DE SK BY GAIL J. COHEN Money and accolades dropped off so dramatically our editors didn't feel it would be valuable, or indicative of the market, to publish the numbers. So this year, we changed our method of collecting information by creating a simple and fast online form that didn't require anyone to fold up and mail us back anything. We combined our online efforts with e-mail requests to subscribers to our pub- lications and e-newsletter, the Canadian Legal Newswire, plus brought in the assistance of a third-party telemarketing company to help us bring the numbers up further. Our efforts brought in more than 300 responses. While still not the majority of practitioners in the country, these numbers were enough for us to push on with our efforts and be able to bring the readers a solid snapshot of who's charging what for the most common legal services offered across the country (please see "The going rate" on page 38). The legal fees survey is one of Canadian Lawyer's most requested surveys A and we are pleased to be able to provide it to readers once again. Other than the change in the method for collecting data, we also added a few new areas to the questionnaire — immigration and intellectual property. With its focus on general practice, the legal fees survey is most representative of and useful to lawyers in smaller firms and sole practices. As in past years, the majority of responses have come from lawyers in Ontario, followed by those in British Columbia and Alberta. With only a smattering of answers from other regions and provinces, there aren't enough to use them in regional comparisons. We look forward to more participation (hint, hint) from the Prairies, East Coast, and Quebec next year so we may provide even more detailed charts. Once again, we're very happy that the survey is back in busi- ness and look forward to even more growth. Continuing the winning tradition: Every year the Canadian Business Press presents its annual Kenneth R. Wilson Awards for excellence in business journalism. This year, Canadian Lawyer had 15 nominations in the various written and visual categories, including the first-ever nomination for our sister publication Canadian Lawyer InHouse. At the ceremonies on June 4 in Toronto, Canadian Lawyer took home three gold awards, one silver, and five top-five awards. Our gold awards went to Bruce Livesey for his article "Fall from grace" about the fall of Peter Shoniker; to Kirk Makin for his article, "Wall of Se- crecy," about the difficulties lawyers face representing terrorism suspects; and to illustrator Darcy Muenchrath for his "Divine intervention" illustra- tion. Legal Ethics columnist Philip Slayton took home a silver award in the best regularly featured column category. The top-five awards went to former editor Jim Middlemiss, Canadian Lawyer InHouse editor Kirsten McMahon, photographer Liam Sharp, and two to writer Kevin Marron. fter a hiatus of a few years, Canadian Lawyer can once again share the results of our legal fees survey with readers. Over the past few years, the number of lawyers who had responded to the survey