Danielle Robitaille, Managing Partner of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Law Awards, sits down to discuss her path from litigator to firm leadership at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP. She shares how her focus on mentorship, mental health support, and inclusive recruitment has shaped a thriving legal practice handling high-stakes litigation and white-collar investigations. From training partners on actionable feedback to pioneering direct access to counselling for associates, Robitaille reveals the practical strategies behind building a strong firm culture. If you know a lawyer or law firm making a meaningful impact in your community, nominations for the 2026 Canadian Law Awards are now open through January 30, 2026 – consider recognizing their contributions. Visit www.lawawards.ca to nominate.

In this episode, Tim Wilbur sits down with Canadian entrepreneur Jody Glidden, founder and CEO of Postilize, to discuss how artificial intelligence is changing client engagement in the legal sector. Glidden talks about the evolution from traditional CRM to proactive relationship management, the challenges law firms face with data, and how AI can help lawyers anticipate client needs and manage business development more efficiently. Postilize is used by major law firms in the US.

In this episode, Sylvie Rodrigue, partner at Torys LLP and national class action leader, shares how overcoming personal and professional hurdles shaped her legal career. Rodrigue discusses the strategies that helped her navigate new markets, the value of finding champions, and the importance of building both personal resilience and professional expertise. She also reflects on her experiences with imposter syndrome, the role of balance in her life, and the insights behind her new book, offering practical advice for anyone forging their own path in law and beyond.

In this episode, recorded live at the Canadian Legal Summit, Faren Bogach of Construct Legal and Paul Saunders of Stewart McKelvey join moderator Jacquelyn Stevens to dissect how law firm compensation models are evolving under pressure from clients and shifting lawyer expectations. The panellists share firsthand experiences overhauling traditional pay structures, from Construct Legal’s radically transparent profit-sharing approach to Stewart McKelvey’s strategic, metrics-driven overhaul. They reveal how these changes have impacted recruitment, retention, collaboration, and firm culture, offering candid insights into what works – and what doesn’t – when law firms challenge the status quo on compensation.

Gabe Pereyra, president and co-founder of Harvey, talks about the company’s rapid growth, its expansion into Canada, and how AI is reshaping the legal industry. He explains why Harvey chose Toronto as a key hub, how the company is building out its local teams, and what sets its technology apart in a crowded legal tech market. Pereyra also discusses the challenges of localizing AI tools for Canadian law firms, the evolving relationship between lawyers and technology, and why he believes the future of legal work will demand even greater expertise – supported by smarter, more integrated tools.

Ed Carmichael, managing lawyer at Ownright, a Toronto-based digital platform for real estate transactions, speaks about the urgent need for greater transparency and stronger oversight in Ontario’s real estate sector. Drawing on the recent iPro trust account shortfall, he outlines how gaps in regulatory audits and outdated industry practices leave both clients and lawyers vulnerable. Carmichael also discusses how technology can address these risks by providing real-time updates and clarity throughout the transaction process.

Kirsti McHenry, Pro Bono Ontario’s executive director, speaks about the organization’s rapid expansion in response to surging demand for free legal help, the impact of technology on service delivery, and the critical role of structured pro bono programs in law firms. She highlights how global events and economic shifts are driving new legal challenges for Ontarians, the importance of partnerships with legal tech innovators and community groups, and the need for more lawyers to get involved. McHenry also discusses how streamlined volunteer opportunities, such as the legal advice hotline and sponsor days, are making it easier for busy professionals to contribute meaningfully to access to justice across the province.

In this episode, Sandeep Tatla speaks about why open dialogue and psychological safety are essential for meaningful progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within law firms. She explains why policing and cancel culture undermine DEI efforts, and shares practical strategies for building trust and fostering inclusion in legal workplaces. Drawing on her experience as a global DEI leader, Tatla highlights the importance of intentional leadership and daily actions over one-off programs. Tatla will participate in a panel and interactive discussion on the evolving approach to DEI in Canada at the upcoming Canadian Legal Summit on October 9 in Toronto. For more information about the summit, visit https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/events

On this episode, Steven Ngo, senior counsel at Rivian and co-founder of Beyond the A, joins us to discuss how fatherhood, legal innovation, and mental health advocacy have shaped his career and outlook. Ngo shares candid insights on breaking barriers in the legal profession, navigating complex regulatory challenges at Rivian, and why honest conversations—whether in a car or a boardroom—matter more than ever. Listen to more of Steven’s conversations on fatherhood and ambition at https://www.2dads1car.com/

Christy Elliott, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, External Affairs and General Counsel at Keyera, shares her insights on the evolving role of the general counsel and the intersection of legal leadership with business strategy in Canada’s energy sector. Elliott will be featured in a roundtable discussion at the Canadian Legal Summit on October 9 in Toronto, where she will join other leaders for a session entitled “Future GC playbook: Essential skills to build a business mindset.” Visit https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/events for more information about the summit.