Legal news and trends for Canadian in-house counsel and c-suite executives
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50882
any in-house lawyer worth her or his snuff. "The number of hours that are requested — it's just not that much," he says. "I'm a bit dismayed that people don't think they can find the time to do that." That's particularly the case when you consider the flexibility afforded by the plethora of CPD providers. Law societ- ies, bar associations, private organiza- tions, and even law firms are all now offering a wide range of top-quality sessions aimed at helping lawyers stay on top of their game. There's also what Shorten describes as the "marketing value" surrounding CPD, as it affords in-house counsel an opportunity to meet other lawyers in the industry and develop lifelong professional contacts. Bull Housser & Tupper is one of many law firms offering CPD sessions tailored to their in-house lawyer clients. Law firms typically deliver these hour- long complimentary sessions early in the morning served with breakfast, or midday served with lunch. "We spend quite a bit of time trying to determine what inside counsel need for their posi- tions and want to hear about," explains Shorten. Many firms like Bull Housser will even take their show on the road and deliver them directly at large corporate law departments, making CPD that much more accessible. "That way, when we hold it here for other inside counsel, they don't have to send 20 lawyers over," he explains. "They might send one, and then when we go over to the depart- ment it's not a repeat." And let's not forget the multitude of CPD now accessible online. These offerings come from the same provid- ers, and again are typically packaged into convenient one-hour sessions. While online seminars don't afford the same level of interactivity as in-per- son sessions, they do offer top-notch accompanying learning materials. Shorten reflects on his own decision to recently attend a tutorial hosted by a U.S. law firm to explain the need for in- house lawyers to prioritize their CPD goals. "I've been practising for almost 40 years, and there I am in a seminar in Vancouver early on a Wednesday evening, with other lawyers, many of whom were quite senior; the guy beside me, he's probably practised almost 50 years, and he's staying on top of U.S. law as it relates to his clients, so that he's in good shape to be able to give advice," explains Shorten. "That's exactly the same situation for in-house counsel." Charles Gervais, general counsel at Assumption Mutual Life Insurance Co., is a prime example of the type of lawyer who would find it difficult to juggle his daily tasks with CPD requirements FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT LAW, THIRD EDITION The Honourable Mr. Justice Randall Scott Echlin, Superior Court of Justice (Ontario) and Christine Thomlinson FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED! FROM START TO FINISH, A COMPREHENSIVE AND PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE COMPLETE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP This text is an easy-to-read reference on employment law issues across Canada. It can be read cover to cover to get the full scope of the employment relationship, or it can be referenced by topic so you can quickly find the information you are looking for. Hardbound • Approx. 450 pp. March 2011 • Approx. $115 P/C 0977010003 ISBN 978-0-88804-517-1 Prices subject to change without notice, to applicable taxes and shipping & handling. CANADA LAW BOOK® CL0211 40 • JUNE 2011 INHOUSE Written by two leading authorities on the subject who share their knowledge, tips and techniques with you on the law and how to apply it, you can get answers to your most pressing employment questions efficiently. This new edition provides up-to-date guidance on key topics such as: • • • • • • • • • • • • the end of mandatory retirement inducing breach of contract enforceability of restrictive covenants dependent contractors privacy issues in the workplace employment standards duty to accommodate the new human rights regime in Ontario occupational health and safety offences legislation addressing workplace violence and harassment constructive dismissal, just cause, reasonable notice calculating dismissal damages post Visit canadalawbook.ca or call 1.800.387.5164 for a 30-day no-risk evaluation Keays