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She adds: "While I was there, both casinos had an excellent track record on compliance." Castel relocated from Toronto to Orillia, Ont. to work at Ca- sino Rama, and, a few months after starting, Castel's staff gave her a poodle puppy named Prancer. "I think they thought my life lacked balance at the time," she says. But that all changed when she met her now husband Nabil Philips, whom she married in 2005. He lived in Mississauga, Ont., so they split their time between both locations. But after they had baby Laila, in 2006, the plan wasn't feasible anymore "I relocated to Mississauga prior to the birth of my daughter and wanted a job where I could work from home, at least part- time," she says. Also, having been at Casino Rama for nine-and- a-half years, she was ready for a change. But it seems part-time isn't in Castel's nature. Within a few weeks of leaving Rama, she began to consult on gaming law and compliance, providing drafting instructions for the government of New Brunswick for its new casino gaming legislation, some- thing she also did for the government of Nova Scotia in 1994. Today, she has a part-time appointment on the board of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), respon- sible for hearings and appeals under the Liquor Licence Act, the Gaming Control Act, and the Wine Content Act. Having worked at casinos, Castel says she is familiar with li- Upcoming Conferences IP SUMMIT September 8 – 9, 2008 | Vancouver DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE September 15 – 16, 2008 | Halifax REGULATORY COMPLIANCE September 18 – 19, 2008 | Toronto quor and gaming legislation, but there are distinct differences between the jobs — namely, being able to work from home. "I conduct the hearings at the AGCO's hearing rooms or at other locations, but I can write the decisions from my home office," she says. "These days, especially now that I have a young daughter, balance between my personal and professional life are very important to me." When she isn't working, Castel can be found globetrotting with her family, having travelled extensively throughout Eu- rope, Australia, and Africa, to name a few places. Castel says she's had a rewarding and satisfying career but says if she wasn't practising law she may have tried her hand at being a writer. But she hasn't ruled it out and says she may try writing fiction when she has more time. She's already done some writing; she co-authored a book on legal research and writing called the Practical Guide to Canadian Legal Research, and in 2002 wrote a book called Gaming Control Law in Ontario, a looseleaf textbook that she updates annually to include the most recent legal developments. Overall, Castel says she has no regrets, and says being in gam- ing law has not disappointed. "It has opened a lot of really great and exciting opportunities for me, and the great thing about a law degree is you're not really limited to practising law. It's a good general education and training." IH E DISCOVERY September 22 – 23, 2008 | Halifax PRODUCT RECALL September 25 – 26, 2008 | Toronto COMMERCIAL INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING October 17, 2008 | Toronto Also don't miss this unique Canadian legal technology event CANADIAN LAW & TECHNOLOGY FORUM November 17-18, 2008 | METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE (SOUTH BUILDING), TORONTO Join us this November in Toronto for a comprehensive program showcasing emerging trends and innovations in legal technology, including: • Electronic discovery • Litigation support • Knowledge management Please contact Daniel Moskowitz at 1-866-456-2020 ext. 6130 or dmoskowitz@insightinfo.com to reserve your exhibition spot and inquire about other exciting sponsorship opportunities. ENROLL TODAY! 1 888 777-1707 | www.insightinfo.com Untitled-5 1 Media Partner C ANADIAN Lawyer INHOUSE A UGUST 2008 35 6/18/08 12:59:00 PM