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www.canadianlawyermag.com 51 the matter through to hearing," Carver explains. Clear and candid communication with both clients and opposing counsel is a hallmark of the practice, and in Nova Scotia's close-knit legal community, Carver adds, "Professional courtesy is essential even when legal issues are vigorously contested." Carver highlights the advantages of a focused practice over larger or generalist firms. Each lawyer at the firm began in a larger firm setting, but Carver says the boutique model better serves individual clients. He notes, "With fewer conflicts, responsive service, and concentrated expertise, we are often the firm of choice for conflict referrals and for clients from all parts of Canada who find themselves involved in Nova Scotia estate proceedings." In Toronto, Whaley Estate Litigation Part- ners (WEL Partners) has built its reputation as a litigation-only boutique, focusing squarely on estate, trust, and fiduciary disputes across Ontario. From capacity issues to elder abuse and undue influence, the firm is unapologeti- cally dedicated to disputes. Its work reflects the complexity of modern estates, the gaps in legis- lation, and the importance of sustained thought leadership in shaping the field. Rising complexity in estates Partner Bryan Gilmartin notes a clear shift in the types of cases the firm is seeing. "The complexity of assets is on the rise," he says. With more Canadians holding prop- erty and investments abroad, disputes are now tied to assets scattered across jurisdic- tions. Identifying and dealing with those assets is often difficult, especially when they are not properly addressed in a will. Gilmartin adds that while this can be a challenge, it is also a welcomed opportunity to collaborate with practitioners in those jurisdic- tions to resolve the issues. The firm's reputation for publishing is not incidental, as it ensures lawyers stay current on key developments and promotes the firm's profile in the field. WEL Partners' website has become a widely cited source of information in estates litigation, reflecting the firm's commit- ment to education as much as advocacy. "Frequent publishing also maintains and grows our collective knowledge base, which directly transcends the quality advice we provide to our clients," he says. Legislative gaps in guardianship Gilmartin points to emerging issues that could reshape the practice. In Ontario, there is no legislative mecha- nism to recognize guardianship orders made in foreign jurisdictions. This gap is increasingly problematic as foreign-owned assets in Ontario become more common. When an owner of such assets becomes incapable and falls under guardianship abroad, the appointed guardian's authority cannot be recognized in Ontario. "Our courts have wrestled with this issue given an increased demand for access to these assets, often to assist with paying for the incapable person's care and treatment costs," Gilmartin explains. A common law solution has recently been developed and applied, offering a potential workaround to the legisla- tive gap. But, as he notes, "It remains to be seen how broadly and effectively this will be applied and what further issues will arise." With its focus on disputes and its depth of publishing, WEL Partners stands out as judiciary-adjacent and resource-rich. By blending frontline advocacy with thought leadership, the firm is shaping how estate disputes are fought today and how the practice evolves tomorrow. Innovation and client service Practitioners are rethinking how they engage with clients, shifting from a purely technical role to one that emphasizes stewardship and long-term planning. The STEP survey reveals that nearly half of respondents (47 percent) believe advisors should raise issues of responsible wealth management when they align with client goals, while 39 percent think lawyers should take a guiding role and 10 percent favour a proactive stance. This shows a clear expectation that firms will lean in rather than wait for instructions. At the same time, innovation is rapidly transforming how wills, trusts, and estates law firms deliver value. Generative AI use in law doubled in 2024, and another double- digit surge is expected in 2025, according to a Thomson Reuters survey. Lawyer use of AI rose from 14 percent to 26 percent year over year. For boutique firms, AI is already stream- lining document drafting and research, freeing more capacity to focus on complex client needs. Demand for digital tools is accelerating and the global estate planning "Publishing is highly encouraged and strongly valued in our firm. It keeps all of our lawyers on top of key developments in the practice area and also promotes our practice" Bryan Gilmartin, WEL Partners INSIGHTS As part of our editorial process, Key Media's researchers interviewed the subject matter expert below for an analysis of this report and its findings. Richard Niedermayer, K.C., TEP Chair STEP Canada