Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/51536
EDITOR'S LETTER YOU DON'T NEED ONE UNTIL YOU NEED ONE N obody ever reaches out to a criminal lawyer until something life changing occurs and you or someone in your family really needs one such as when you get that panicked midnight call from your kid at the police station. Or when you've suddenly been let go from your job and don't really know if you're getting the short end of the stick or not; that's when you're desperate for some employment law advice. We at Canadian Lawyer, a Thomson Reuters business, deal with these things every day but the average Canadian only has to deal with them once you're thrown into the deep end of it. Thus the Legal Resource Guide was born. It's here to help provide you with information from lawyers on their services as well as what to do when you find yourself in a sticky legal situation. The articles outline your rights and obligations in a variety of circumstances. For instance, when you get a call from the police that they want to you come down to the station to "talk," do you have to go? In fact, as the "Criminal Check" story on page 6 notes, you are under no obligation to report yourself to a police station. But getting that call from the police is a sure sign that you should get some proper legal advice from a lawyer. Even a good news life event like getting a promotion can offer up some legal landmines, ones that you may not realize until it's too late. In "Look Before You Leap," you'll find some good advice on examining employment contracts before you sign. There's also articles with recommendations on dealing with a divorce in "Divorce Tips and Traps"; what happens to the family and the family cottage when the parents pass away, "Will Power"; and how to ask the right questions before buying a house in "Home Buyer Beware." The guide also offers some valuable tips from our lawyer writers on what to do when your disability claim has been denied or if you feel you're the victim of medical negligence; how to find the right personal injury lawyer; the lowdown on damages in personal injury claims; and knowing your rights after a car accident. Forewarned is forearmed, so we trust these articles will help you to understand some of your legal rights and make you better informed to deal with those big life-changing issues when they come up. Good luck with those legal challenges! — GAIL J. COHEN Editorial Director, Canadian Lawyer/Law Times Media, a Thomson Reuters business www.digital.canadianlawyermag.com/title/12393 • Check out websites • Link to lawyers • Download information • Request free consultation FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF 3