Canadian Lawyer

EDITOR'S DESK BY GAIL J. COHEN The inner workings exposed F the hottest topics — vexing issues, even — on the minds of law firm leaders. Some of them resonated across all the firms, including that of transparency within the firm. Law firms are partnerships and one thing everyone at the table agreed on was the need for openness, particularly the sharing of financial information and strategies. That doesn't mean everyone has to know how much everyone else makes, but being open about how it works so everyone from articling students to senior partners feel they understand the system, where they fit into it, and what to expect. Transparency within the firm is, of course, only half of it. As a number of the or this month's cover story, we convened a panel of experts on law firm man- agement with representatives from firms of different shapes and sizes as well as lawyers and non-lawyers. We gathered in Toronto in late June to discuss Trials & Tribulations Margaret Waddell ruminates on issues of import and interest to litigators. September 10 Human Rights . . . Here & Th ere University of Ottawa law school's Sonya Nigam's column on human rights and international law. September 10 Th e Accidental Mentor Lee Akazaki's column off ers useful mentorship advice for young lawyers. September 10 panellists pointed out — clients want it too. If they understand how your law firm functions, who is working on their files, how the budgeting works, and so on, it puts them in a comfort zone when they know what to expect when the bill comes. It helps in negotiating alternative fee structures, and in and of itself such transparency leads to better and open communication with clients. Everyone wins. Also discussed during the roundtable was the management of people. In the aftermath of the fall of Dewey & LeBoeuf the issue of lateral hires (and the entice- ments they're offered) has become a big focus. But money isn't everything — all that other stuff is becoming increasingly important. I am writing this on the plane as I return from the annual Canadian Legal Defi nitely Mabey Stephen Mabey examines the thorny issues facing law fi rm management. September 17 Th e IT Girl Sarah Dale-Harris takes a wry look at the intersection of technology and the law. September 17 Conference in Vancouver, at which the Canadian Bar Association launched a new online guide to measure diversity in law firms. The guide was created in response to requests from law firms looking for ways to assess their diversity performance. It offers two options to track progress: a self-identification survey (I am X) and a diver- sity climate survey (I think the firm is Y). The legal profession is definitely behind the rest of the corporate world in its focus on diversity so having a guide such as this to help firms frame the questions and survey their lawyers and staff is an important first step. For now, it's simply a way for firms to establish what's going internally. However, publishing benchmarks and making the information on diversity public is really how this will outwardly benefit firms. In the U.S. and other markets, diversity statistics are available for articling students and lateral hires — as well as clients — to peruse as part of their decision-making process. In Canada, it's all still a bit murky. It's time for Canadian firms to step out into the light. Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editorial Director: Gail J. Cohen gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com Advertising Sales Representatives Staff Writer: Michael McKiernan michael.mckiernan@thomsonreuters.com Legal Suppliers: Kimberlee Pascoe Tel: (416) 649-8875 E-mail: kimberlee.pascoe@thomsonreuters.com Copy Editors: Katia Caporiccio, Mallory Hendry Art Director: Bill Hunter Production Co-ordinator: Catherine Giles catherine.giles@thomsonreuters.com Contributors: Jean Sorensen, donalee Moulton, Kathryn Leger, Geoff Ellwand, Jennifer Brown, Siobhan McClelland, Ava Chisling. Canadian Lawyer is published 11 times a year by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto ON. M1T 3V4 (416) 298-5141. Fax : (416) 649-7870 All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. Information presented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Canadian Lawyer 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. Law Firms: Karen Lorimer Tel: (416) 649-9411 E-mail: karen.lorimer@thomsonreuters.com Quebec Law Firms: Linda Nadon Tel: (450) 224-0055 E-mail: lnadon@universusmediagroup.com Sales Co-ordinator: Sandy Shutt Tel: (416) 649-8864 E-mail: sandra.shutt@thomsonreuters.com Canadian Lawyer Magazine Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto, ON. M1T 3V4 Tel: (416) 298-5141 Fax: (416) 649-7870 E-mail: clb.cleditor@thomsonreuters.com Web: www.canadianlawyermag.com Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index Publications Mail Agreement #40766500 ISSN 0703-2129 Copyright © 2012 HST Registration #R121349799 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESS TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT ONE CORPORATE PLAZA 2075 KENNEDY RD., TORONTO, ON. M1T 3V4 RETOURNER TOUTE CORRESPONDANCE NE POUVANT ÊTRE LIVRÉE AU CANADA AU SERVICE DES PUBLICATIONS ONE CORPORATE PLAZA, 2075 KENNEDY RD., TORONTO, ON. M1T 3V4 Circulation/Address Changes/Subscriptions Ellen Alstein Tel: (416) 649-9926 Fax: (416) 649-7870 E-mail: ellen.alstein@thomsonreuters.com Subscription rates: Canada1 year print and digital $75 plus HST, 1 year digital only $55. Outside Canada 1 year print & digital $95, 1 year digital only $55. Student rate 1 year print and digital $38 plus HST, 1 year digital only $20 plus HST. For all circulation inquiries and address changes send a copy of your mailing label or labels along with your request in writing to Canadian Lawyer , One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto, ON. M1T 3V4 Law Library Reviews of books — and more — of a legal nature from Damian Penny. September 17 Trial by Fire First-year associate Lindsay Scott shares the ups and downs of learning on the job. September 17 Class Acts Kirk Baert's column takes a critical look at class action litigation across the country. September 24 Th e Immigration Line Jennifer Nees let's us know what's on the mind of the immigration bar. September 24 THIS MONTH EXCLUSIVELY ON CANADIAN Lawye rmag.com Making Rain Executive coach Debra Forman's video column on career and business development. September 24 www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com SEPTEMBER 2012 3

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