Search on site

Law and Happiness: Challenges and Opportunities to Improving Lawyer and Student Well-Being

Post

The Panel has been designed in partnership with Healthy Legal Minds (HLM), a group of law students and jurists that provide advocacy and evidence-based solutions to address causes of poor mental health and well-being in the legal profession. HLM envisions a profession where law students and legal professionals are equipped with the tools to lead healthy and happy lives, and easily seek help in the face of the challenges of the legal profession.

Episode 103 | Addiction, Work, and Justice: What Are We Missing?

In this episode, CIAJ’s Articling Student David Lazzam sits down with Jessyca Greenwood, Principal Lawyer at Greenwood Law, to discuss how the legal system responds to substance dependency in the workplace. Drawing from years of experience representing vulnerable clients, Jessyca explores common legal challenges, gaps in employer obligations, and the role of stigma in shaping outcomes. Together, they examine how specialized courts and diversion programs can help—or hinder—real change. From courtroom culture to systemic reform, this conversation highlights the need for compassion, accountability, and broader social supports to ensure that people struggling with addiction aren’t left behind.

Episode 103 (En anglais) | Addiction, Work, and Justice: What Are We Missing?

In this episode, CIAJ’s Articling Student David Lazzam sits down with Jessyca Greenwood, Principal Lawyer at Greenwood Law, to discuss how the legal system responds to substance dependency in the workplace. Drawing from years of experience representing vulnerable clients, Jessyca explores common legal challenges, gaps in employer obligations, and the role of stigma in shaping outcomes. Together, they examine how specialized courts and diversion programs can help—or hinder—real change. From courtroom culture to systemic reform, this conversation highlights the need for compassion, accountability, and broader social supports to ensure that people struggling with addiction aren’t left behind.

Ending the Harm to Parents and Children from Ontario’s Family Justice System by Transforming Family Law Culture

Post

This paper examines the harm to families and particularly children, caused by the litigation method of dispute resolution for making parenting plans. That this harm occurs in the area of law entrusted with promoting the best interests of children is morally, ethically, and legally unacceptable…

Lawyers Play an Important Role in Addressing Coercive Control

Post

In the last four months in Nova Scotia, 6 women have been killed in murders attributed to intimate partner violence (IPV). These tragic deaths all occurred since Nova Scotia’s official declaration that IPV is an epidemic…

Navigating NCR and Automatism Challenges in Criminal Cases

Post

In the aftermath of R v Sullivan and R v Brown, both the legal profession and the wider public have struggled to reconcile cases in which violent acts are committed involuntarily. Legislation and jurisprudence relating to intoxication, mental state, and criminal culpability has faced heightened scrutiny, as Canadians attempt to balance competing principles of fairness […]

Reflections on the Challenges of Consent and Decision-Making for Gender-Diverse Children and Families

Post

As part of our 48th Annual Conference on Families and the Law, which will take place from October 9 to 11 in Winnipeg, a panel will be dedicated to the Challenges of Consent and Decision-Making for Gender-Diverse Children and Families. In light of recent provincial policies concerning gender-diverse students, this panel will examine the legal, […]

Réflexion sur les défis du consentement et de la prise de décision pour les enfants et familles de genres divers

Post

Dans le cadre de notre 48e Conférence annuelle sur Les familles et le droit, qui se déroulera du 9 au 11 octobre à Winnipeg, un panel sera dédié aux Défis du consentement et de la prise de décision pour les enfants et familles de genres divers. Face aux récentes politiques provinciales concernant les étudiants de […]

Meet our Board of Directors: Nazrina H. Umarji

Post

CIAJ would like to warmly thank its board members for sharing their skills and working to improve the justice system with heart and wisdom for the benefit of society as a whole.

Meet our Board of Directors: Angela Caseley

Post

CIAJ would like to warmly thank its board members for sharing their skills and working to improve the justice system with heart and wisdom for the benefit of society as a whole.