Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast Gluckstein Lawyers

Brenda Agnew, your host, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Aaron Palmer, the owner of Palmer Wellness and Rehab and an occupational therapist. They delve into the vital subjects of cultural responsiveness and humility, offering valuable insights and suggestions on how to exercise humility and achieve a better understanding of people from different cultural backgrounds,
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:21]  What does cultural responsiveness mean?
[6:48] Aaron shares the meaning of cultural competence.
[9:32] Be careful of stereotyping!
[11:08] Why is it important for organizations to be conscious of cultural competence and responsiveness?
[12:03] Don't be afraid to ask questions when working with people from different backgrounds.
[13:51] How can people understand more about different cultures?
[17:34] A commitment needs to arise after seeing the particular cultural background someone brings, 
[17:55] Aaron emphasizes the need to acknowledge our biases (we all have them anyway)
[19:34] Engaging in honest and authentic conversations with clients/patients is crucial.
[21:05] Aaron explains the therapeutic use of self.
[24:58] It is okay to admit we don’t know it all, show curiosity respectfully, and develop connectedness with clients. 
[29:01] Aaron speaks about balancing power imbalances.
[33:03] Aaron dives deep into the topic of cultural responsiveness.
[36:02] What does cultural responsiveness look like?
[39:58] We all have a reason for doing what we do. What is that reason?   
[41:48] What does Team Splitting mean?
[46:39] We are all just human beings.
[50:03] Aaron talks about his background, his motivation to become an Occupational Therapist, and how he conducts his business.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the work we do at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
 
Learn more about Aaron Palmer
 
Gluckstein Lawyers on Twitter
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Brenda Agnew and Tiffany Lawand Fraser, your hosts, are joined by Stacey Levine in today’s episode to explore the field of rehabilitation and the valuable strategies Behavioral Therapists provide to improve patients’s quality of life.
Stacey was named Healthcare Provider of the Year in the Award of Excellence in Brain Injury Rehabilitation in 2023. She is also co-founder and co-owner of Journey Rehabilitation and specializes in behavior therapy.
 
Key Takeaways:
[2:58] Stacey shares what motivated her to get into the field of rehabilitation.
[4:28] Stacey highlights the importance of working with a multidisciplinary team.
[5:52] Stacey explains in which part of the rehabilitation process she begins working with the patient as a Behavior therapy specialist.
[7:39] What is Behavioral Therapy? What does a Behavioral Therapist do?
[9:50] Stacey provides some examples of utilizing Behavioral Therapy.
[12:45] What kind of collateral support does Stacey provide to families and caregivers?
[15:05] Stacey explains how anyone could benefit from the strategies provided by Behavioral Therapists.
[17:28] Stacey shares how it is to deal with resistant patients.
[20:30] A behavioral therapist must find creative ways to engage the patient in the rehabilitation process.
[22:11] Stacey describes the people who can benefit from Behavioral Therapy.
[25:10] Stacey follows on some patients for years.
[27:01] Stacey admits using the strategies she proposes to clients.
[31:50] Stacey emphasizes the importance of being able to “disconnect” from the burden of work when it is time to return to her personal life.
[33:04] Behavioral therapy should be applied according to the patient’s needs.
[34:41] Which are the cases in which Behavioral Therapy is more used?
[37:21] Stacey shares the particularities of working with brain-injured patients.
[43:20] Discussion, awareness, and information about someone’s behavior is a way to encourage people to be more compassionate.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the work we do at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
 
Learn more about Stacey Levine
 
Gluckstein Lawyers on Twitter
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Gluckstein Lawyers on Instagram
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Gluckstein Lawyers on Linkedin
 
 

Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Linda O’Brien to today’s episode. Linda recently joined the Gluckstein family from a boutique litigation firm where she focused exclusively on civil litigation, defending tort litigants. She is now a key member of our Sexual Abuse group with the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team advocating solely for survivors of sexual abuse.
Over her almost 30 years of practice, Linda has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, along with appearances before numerous boards and at private arbitrations.
Linda is proud to be involved in initiatives to promote policies and practices to retain and advance women in law and to continue to serve as a mentor for many students and lawyers.
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:34] Linda talks about her work in the defense field before she started working for Gluckstein Lawyers.
[7:26] Linda highlights the value of being empathetic with clients.
[10:26] Brenda shares how she got the chance to speak in court after seven years of waiting.
[14:14] Linda shares how she chose the type of law she ended up working in.
[19:35] Linda discusses the importance of caring for clients and ensuring they are not retraumatized throughout the legal process.
[20:43] Is there a mind shift coming from the defense side to the plaintiff kind of work?
[25:23] Linda’s defense law background greatly benefits her work as part of the Sexual Abuse Group with the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team.
[26:57] What are some of the most challenging aspects of her work with the sexual abuse cases she takes at Gluckstein?
[31:21] Linda explains why causation is so complicated.
[33:10] How long does it take to resolve a historical sexual abuse case?
[37:45] No client goes to court for the money.
[42:01] Advocacy is a powerful work.
[42:57] Linda wishes she had no more work one day because that would mean no one would be suffering this way anymore.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the work we do at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
 
Learn more about Linda O’Brien
 
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Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Adrienne Patterson to today’s episode. Adrienne is a former client who will share her experience working with the Gluckstein family. Adrianne participated in the Compassion Fatigue Conference of 2023, where she presented her story. Adrienne courageously shares her journey from recovering from a head injury and losing her career, to becoming a victim of sexual assault perpetrated by one of her physicians. Adrienne found her strength and purpose in speaking up for all of those who could not.
 
Key Takeaways:
[4:26] Adrienne shares some about her journey.
[9:12] Adrienne talks about being pressured to return to work while still recovering from a head injury, which made her sicker.
[10:59] Adrienne struggled to cope with life and began having suicidal ideations.
[14:55] Brenda shares how she was impacted by not being allowed at her job to take time to take care of her mental health when she needed it the most.
[18:30] Adrienne talks about her incredible loss after the injury. 
[21:11] Adrienne continues sharing her journey after the head injury and the support of her medical team (which kept growing to assist her needs).
[26:25] Adrienne decided to contact the police to protect herself and others in similar situations.
[29:55] Adrianne was treated as a lier at her workplace, and that affected her tremendously on a psychological level 
[32:02] Adrienne talks about dealing with the trauma.
[33:29] Adrienne pressed charges.
[38:07] Adrienne discusses sexual assault and her experience as a victim.
[42:35] Adrienne reach out to Simona Jellinek.
[46:37] Adrienne points out how differently the rights of the victims and the perpetrators are treated.
[48:11] Adrienne decided to pursue the civil suit with Jellinek.
[54:36] Speaking at the Compassion Fatigue Conference.
[55:55] “I feel I matter as a human when I walk through Gluckstein’s doors.”
[1:00:18] Adrienne was very mistrustful when first meeting Gluckstein Lawyers.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the work we do at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
 
Learn more about the 16th Annual Complimentary Compassion Fatigue Conference.
 
Gluckstein Lawyers on Twitter
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Gluckstein Lawyers on Linkedin
 

Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Jan Marin to today’s conversation, where they discuss a new project that Gluckstein Lawyers is launching: The Post-Settelment Resource Guide, a guide for people at the end of their settlement. This guide is meant to assist everyone involved in putting a settlement together for an individual or a family that has been through a case. This tool is crucial for guardians to know how to manage settlement funds more effectively.
 
Key Takeaways:
[1:52] Brenda shares how she met Glucksteing  Lawyers and later became part of the team.
[3:52] Jan provides context about this guide, which aims to assist guardians in administering and managing settlement funds.
[7:27] Brenda explains what the passing of the account is about.
[9:40] Jan explains who a guardian is.
[11:16] Sometimes, being a parent and a guardian can be conflictive.
[15:48] Jan highlights the most significant difference between a guardian and a parent.
[17:50] Jan talks about the management plan.
[18:44] Brenda advises other parents about crucial aspects they should consider when working on their management plan.
[22:47] Mental health and recreational activities are two aspects all parents/guardians should prioritize in their management plans.
[26:05] Jan advises allowing flexibility in your management plan and explains how that would look.
[29:28] Brenda emphasizes the importance of having consideration over mental health care.
[32:02] Jan explains how passing an account works.
[34:17] Brenda shares her personal experience on how passing an account looks.
[41:12] Jan provides additional suggestions on passing the accounts.
[43:44] This is a business transaction; try to keep the emotional aspect out.
[45:44] You can be an excellent parent and still have to learn to be a good guardian.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the work we do at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
 
Learn more about Jan Marin
 
Gluckstein Lawyers on Twitter
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Gluckstein Lawyers on Linkedin
 
 

Brenda Agnew, your host,  welcomes Simona Jellinek to discuss the recurrent topic of sexual abuse in sports. This topic has become more prevalent lately as a result of the World Junior Hockey sex assault case, but unfortunately, this is not an isolated event; other disciplines, like gymnastics and taekwondo, among other sports.
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:40] Brenda addresses the vulnerability of young people playing sports. 
[4:20] Simona highlights two different aspects: the sexual assault suffered by players and the sexual abuse perpetrated by them. 
[6:07] Simona discusses the criminal aspect of the sexual assault that took place during the World Junior Hockey in London, Ontario.
[9:06] It is unusual to have both civil and criminal cases on the same incident.
[10:51] In this civil case, players abused someone outside the association. What is the organization's responsibility?
[15:55] Simona addresses other cases where settlements are reached.
[16:37] Simona talks about more cases of sexual assault in sports.
[19:48]  What is the link between elitism and sexual abuse in sports?
[22:07]  When a civil case is pursued, does this impact the organization?
[23:40] Sometimes, civil cases can be more effective in finding the truth than criminal cases.
[26:36] Simona talks about the value of money in civil cases.
[29:30] Are there fundamental system changes in organizations? 
[33:11] Simone explains the statute of limitations.
[35:01] Sexual violence doesn’t mean it is violent, but it is still wrong.
[35:55] Some people take decades to talk about sexual assault, even when they always knew it was wrong. People come forward whenever they are ready.
[37:25] What if the sexual assault happens outside of Ontario?
[40:58] Policies change often after lawsuits point to what people did wrong.
[43:22] There was a time that no one wanted to talk about sexual abuse. The fact that we are talking about it and bringing awareness about sexual assault is a significant step forward.
[47:14] As a victim, taking the first step to talk about sexual assault is a huge step; what follows is easier
 
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about our work at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
 
Learn more about Simona Jellinek
 
Gluckstein Lawyers on Twitter
Gluckstein Lawyers on Facebook
Gluckstein Lawyers on Instagram
Gluckstein Lawyers on YouTube
Gluckstein Lawyers on Linkedin