Of Counsel

Joseph Groia is no stranger to controversy.

He has spent his career defending unpopular clients, advocating principled positions, and holding strong in face of a relentless prosecution by the Law Society of Ontario for allegations of “incivility” in his successful defence of John Felderhof in the now infamous Bre-X scandal.

Even as a young boy growing up in Toronto, Joseph knew with certainty he wanted practice law. He attend law school at the University of Toronto before being called in 1981. In 1985 he joined the Ontario Securities Commission as associate general counsel handling litigation matters to later become Director of Enforcement. Over time, and under the mentorship of legendary lawyers like Ian Binnie, he harnessed his specialization in securities law into his own Toronto firm Groia & Co.

In 2015, and despite the ongoing prosecution he faced by the Law Society, Joseph was elected Bencher and now is one of the many lawyers in the Province of Ontario who contributes to the regulation of the profession. Joseph has been ranked as one of Canada’s 500 leading lawyers since the year 2000.

Above all, Joseph Groia’s sense of right and wrong and his willingness to fight for injustice is truly remarkable and an inspiration to many lawyers and law students wishing to follow in his footsteps.

Join us as we listen to Joe discusses advocacy, integrity, courage, and how to make fine wine.

Emma Rhodes and Brock Jones are two of the preeminent experts in Youth Criminal Justice in Canada. In addition to active practicing lawyers, they are co-authors to Prosecuting and Defending Youth Criminal Justice Cases: A Practitioner’s Handbook by Emond Publishing.

Brock Jones is Crown Counsel at the Crown Law (Criminal) Office in Toronto, Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law where he teaches some of Canada’s finest upcoming legal minds youth criminal justice law.  Prior to his present position, he acted as an Assistant Crown Attorney at the Scarborough Crown’s Office, and former clerk to the Superior Court of Justice. In addition to his book co-authored with Emma, Brock is an accomplished author in a range of criminal justice related publications.

Emma Rhodes is a practicing lawyer who dedicates 100% of her practice to those under the age of 18.  While this includes youth criminal justice matters, Emma has also focused her abilities further into child protection law in the Province of Ontario. She contributes her ability on several panels including Legal Aid Ontario, the Ontario Court of Justice, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ministry of the Attorney General, and the Ontario Bar Association.  In 2014, Emma testified before the Senate of Canada’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights about the over representation of visible minority youth in the criminal justice system.

Join us for this episode of Of Counsel where we profile youth criminal justice with Emma and Brock.

This week's episode of Of Counsel will stimulate not only your intellect but your appetite as we speak to one of Canada's only food lawyers, Glenford Jameson. Glenford is a legal trailblazer.  In 2017, he was awarded the highly prestigious Precedent Setter Award that recognizes innovative and remarkable lawyers within their first 10 years of practice. Glenford is founder and producer to the very popular legal podcast, Welcome to The Food Court the discusses topics on food law. In addition to these remarkable achievements, Glenford is commonly featured by media as an expert commentator in the area of food regulation and enforcement. In addition to these outstanding achievements, Glenford is an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University, College of Law, organizer and founder of various organizations and conferences on food law, and active in various communities surrounding food development and regulation.

How does one go from selling potato chips at a farmer's market to distributing them at major grocery stores across the country?  What's the big deal about bringing beer from Quebec to Ontario? How did edible bugs get into our local Loblaws?

These as just some of the many interesting questions Glenford answers in this episode of Of Counsel.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW OF A GUEST FOR THE OF COUNSEL PODCAST. THE LAWYER / GUEST IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE FIRM ROBICHAUD'S NOR DO THEY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OR LEGAL VIEWS OF THE FIRM. PLEASE CONTACT THE GUEST DIRECTLY IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO THEM.

Tom Curry is widely recognized as one of Canada's best litigators.

Just recently, he was elevated to the position of managing partner at Lenczner Slaght in Toronto. He acts as counsel before all levels of civil Court and tribunals in Ontario including the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada and its Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

In 2017, he acted as counsel for the Law Society of Upper Canada in the widely known, and highly controversial case of Groia v. Law Society of Upper Canada.

Tom is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a certified as a specialist in civil litigation by the Law Society of Upper Canada.  His client base, along with his firm, is remarkably broad in the private and public sector including: class actions, arbitrations, business disputes, administrative law, judicial review, intellectual property and professional liability at both the trial and appellate levels.

Join us as he discusses the future of the profession, the importance progression for law firms, the value of tradition, civility in the practice, running with Puff Daddy, and motorcycling.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW OF A GUEST FOR THE OF COUNSEL PODCAST. THE LAWYER / GUEST IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE FIRM ROBICHAUD'S NOR DO THEY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OR LEGAL VIEWS OF THE FIRM. PLEASE CONTACT THE GUEST DIRECTLY IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO THEM.

Breese Davies is a shining star among lawyers for her accomplishments in criminal, constitutional, and human rights law. In 2017, she was awarded the Law Society of Ontario’s Laura Legge Award awarded for her leadership among women in the profession.

Her versatility as an advocate is truly astounding.  She has argued at all levels of trial and appeal courts throughout Canada including administrative tribunals, federal courts, and multiple appearances at before the Supreme Court.

She is routinely assigned as counsel for public inquiries, coroner inquests, and other  high profile matters of public concern. Some of this past involvement includes the inquiry in the Actions of Canadian Officials into Maher Arar, the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario, and more recently acting as counsel for the Inquest into Ashely Smith. Her contributions have had a profound and lasting impact not only in the law, but upon young advocates looking to join the profession.

She now holds the prestigious position of Constitutional Litigator in Residence, David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. Breese is also an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Law School in Evidence, University of Toronto and Adjunct Professor in Criminology.

In 2013, Breese became the first Womens' Vice President of the Criminal Lawyers' Association. Breese now serves as Vice President to the same organization.  She is co-editor of For the Defence Magazine, Assistant Editor of Canadian Rights reporter, and acts as pro bono duty counsel for the Court of appeal for Ontario.

Above all, Breese is a person who deeply understands her clients, their struggles, and how the justice system can be improved upon to assist them. Join us in this episode of Of Counsel where Breese tells a story about her, her profession, and how she manages to keep it all in balance.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW OF A GUEST FOR THE OF COUNSEL PODCAST. THE LAWYER / GUEST IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE FIRM ROBICHAUD'S NOR DO THEY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OR LEGAL VIEWS OF THE FIRM. PLEASE CONTACT THE GUEST DIRECTLY IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO THEM.

Last year, Adam Wagman was named among the most influential lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. With his performance in 2017 as the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association President, he fits well along other nominees that include

A Supreme Court of Canada justice, law professions, Bay St. moguls, and a Human Rights Commissioner to name only a few.

As a Certified Specialist in civil litigation and partner with Howie Sacks Henry in Toronto, Adam has accomplished some of the largest civil judgments for personal injury in Canada, some of which exceeding millions of dollars.

His expertise, wisdom, and remarkable empathy for his clients shines particularly bright in the areas of catastrophic injuries that include brain and spinal cord injuries. Focused and passionate in all areas of his life, Adam is an active member of his community, a loving father, avid cyclist, rock star (literally), and deeply involved in charitable causes.

Join us as Adam takes us through his views on life balance, advocacy, giving back to the community, and some shocking revelations on what it means to be a person injured in province of Ontario and the limitations you may face if seeking compensation.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW OF A GUEST FOR THE OF COUNSEL PODCAST. THE LAWYER / GUEST IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE FIRM ROBICHAUD'S NOR DO THEY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OR LEGAL VIEWS OF THE FIRM. PLEASE CONTACT THE GUEST DIRECTLY IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO THEM.

Our guest in this this episode of “Of Counsel is criminal defence counsel Danielle Robitaille.  Danielle is a trial lawyer and partner with Henein Hutchinson LLP in Toronto.  Henein Hutchinson is widely recognized as one of the top boutique litigation firms in Canada, if not the world.

Danielle’s law partners include the incomparable Marie Henein, the venerable Scott Hutchinson, and litigation and appellate superstars Matthew Gourlay and Christine Mainville.

Along with their associates, their firm has acted for some of the most high-profile and controversial cases in Canada. Among these cases include that of former CBC host Jian Ghomeshi where Danielle acted as trial counsel alongside Marie Henein. As a partner in this tightly knit firm, Danielle has played an essential role on numerous others cases that, if listed, would read like the past 5 years of Canadian front page headlines in Canadian criminal justice.

In addition to her in court accomplishments, Danielle is a leader among the bar with wide participation in continuing education for lawyers and students, including teaching advocacy, at the University of Toronto Law school.

In 2016, it was asked by Precedent Magazine if Danielle is Canada’s next legal icon? Time will tell, but if this podcast is any indicator, the future seems very clear on that prediction.  It’s a real pleasure to have Danielle Robitaille with us in this episode to tell us about this calling.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW OF A GUEST FOR THE OF COUNSEL PODCAST. THE LAWYER / GUEST IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE FIRM ROBICHAUD'S NOR DO THEY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OR LEGAL VIEWS OF THE FIRM. PLEASE CONTACT THE GUEST DIRECTLY IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO THEM.

In this episode of “Of Counsel”, we hear from President of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, Michael Lacy.  Join us as we listen to Michael discuss the lessons he has learned over his many years in an illustrative career in criminal law.

Looking back on Michael’s career in law is overwhelming in accomplishments and notoriety.  The cases he has defended are some of the most well known in the nation.  Now partner with Brauti Thorning Zibarras in Toronto, Michael's future ahead continues with some of the most anticipated cases in Canadian news. And, unlike many litigators who restrict themselves to either trials or appeals, Michael is equally accomplished as an appellate lawyer appearance in the Ontario Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada on countless occasions.

Michael’s participation in the criminal justice system does not end at his clients. Over the years Michael’s contributions have enhanced the bar as a whole.  He is an instructor with Osgoode Law School, an author to several publications and bulletins and a frequent speaker at conferences throughout North America for lawyers, prosecutors, police, and judges.

Above all, Michael has harnessed his skill and dedication in criminal law to actively leading one of the largest criminal lawyers associations in the world. As President of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, Michael continues to fight for the constitutional rights of Canadians and for those lawyers who defend them. With significant cutbacks in Legal Aid, increasing complexity in the Court system, expanding police powers, degradation of privacy rights, and evaporation of procedural protections in court on the horizon, there is no doubt Micheal’s term as President brings with it serious challenges.

And for those reasons, there is no better time than the present to have an advocate like Michael leading lawyers like him in protecting the rights of Canadians.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW OF A GUEST FOR THE OF COUNSEL PODCAST. THE LAWYER / GUEST IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE FIRM ROBICHAUD'S NOR DO THEY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OR LEGAL VIEWS OF THE FIRM. PLEASE CONTACT THE GUEST DIRECTLY IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO THEM.

In just 10 years since his call in 2007, Gerald has proven himself as one of the most accomplished litigators in Canada, and overall just a really great guy. His CV and accomplishments reads like a wild wish list of an ambitious law student who has had way too many coffees.  Gerald is an accomplished author, a former clerk to the Supreme Court of Canada, and prodigy of the legendary conditional litigator Clayton Ruby.  Gerald is now partner Stockswoods in Toronto, and overall a really great guy.

Listen to his insights on appellate advocacy, tips on litigation for recent calls, and how to freestyle rap. (You can also purchase his new book by Emond Publishing (Digital Evidence: A Practitioner's Handbook) here. (Use checkout code "ROBICHAUD17" for 10% off)

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW OF A GUEST FOR THE OF COUNSEL PODCAST. THE LAWYER / GUEST IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE FIRM ROBICHAUD'S NOR DO THEY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OR LEGAL VIEWS OF THE FIRM. PLEASE CONTACT THE GUEST DIRECTLY IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO THEM.