Column

2024 Year in Review

It has been a year of paradoxes and extremes. From economics to politics, global phenomena have spread onto our shores. Populism, strongman tactics, fear of the other, class division, and the marching forward of technological progress all put their stamp on our profession.

Bulls and Tent Cities

Economically: the TSX roared to a 20% return and Bay Street salaries continued to grow north of $130,000 for first year associates. But stalwart Minden Gross shut down, proving again the fickle nature of partnerships. Main street lawyers turned away clients as the rural exodus grew, and despite growing costs, resulting in less and less lawyers in family, child protection, and criminal law. Meanwhile poverty grew more visible than ever in our communities, as overburdened shelters spilled out into tent cities, creating fodder for politicians. And yes, if statistics hold, boomers died off in record numbers – estate litigators rejoiced.


*Google Finance, Screenshot

Swiss Army AI

No longer the domain of early-adopters, AI achieved a firm foothold in legal research, cutting down sixty minutes of first-step research to five. LexisNexis, Westlaw and Alexi battle it out betwixt them, while practice-specific apps like Spellbook received funding in the multi-millions of dollars. Even free AI ChatGPT found a place, writing emails, putting together charts, and summarizing and proofreading documents. Meanwhile office users took advantage of Copilot to manage workflow. Mimicking the work of law students, assistants, and clerks, the Swiss Army AI took over law offices at an impressive rate. The existential threat, however, did not materialize – yet.


*from Clio Legal Trends Report 2024

Toronto Metro University Controversy

Proving, not that proof was needed, that political issues find their way into our profession, divisions stemming from the war in Gaza reached a tipping point at Toronto Metro University’s law school. A contingent of law students signed a petition criticizing Israel, causing a cascade of consequences including accusations of antisemitism, an external review by a Chief Justice, two expose features in our largest newspapers, and calls to blacklist the students from working in law firms.

Provincial Governments Test Our Fundamental Values

From BC (eliminating self-regulation of lawyers) to Alberta (threating to cease funding to legal aid) to Manitoba (removing a politician from caucus for having a neutral connection to an accused person) to Ontario (criticizing judges for not being tough on crime), governments were remarkably at ease threatening, respectively, the independence of lawyers, the right to a fair hearing, the right to be presumed innocent, and the independence of the judiciary. The trend is deeply concerning.

Career Introspection (in-office return)

There will never be a dearth of lawyers wanting to make their mark the world, no matter the cost. But the in-office return tested those wills, pushing some to change practice areas, firms, and ultimately careers. There has long been a trend toward lawyers going in-house, but perhaps more lawyers will go solo. The fact of the matter is an opportunity to examine oneself is always welcome, and one excuse is as good as any other.

Year-end, New Year

In a profession where civility is paramount, we see on a daily basis, and have power, over the respect we give to each other as humans. Surely this must gain ground against the more sinister threats. Cynics could point at the bugbears brought on by attacks on our fundamental values, by seeing each other as non-human, by increasing classism and concentration of power. But optimism abounds, if history is a guide, as people and politics bound elastically from one end to the other.

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