CL Talk

Canadian Lawyer Magazine

CL Talk is the official podcast of Canadian Lawyer magazine. It will hear from leaders in the legal profession in Canada and beyond. Our editorial team interviews legal leaders about topical issues affecting lawyers from coast to coast.

  1. 12/17/2025

    iGaming Ontario CEO Joseph Hillier on his role driving innovation and safety in online gaming

    In this episode, iGaming Ontario President and CEO Joseph Hillier discusses how Ontario has built a competitive online gambling market designed to draw players away from unregulated sites while maintaining strong safeguards in place. He traces his path from Bay Street to the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, explaining how this mix of private practice, banking, and public service now shapes his approach to regulation. Hillier discusses his priorities at iGaming Ontario, including treating operators as business partners, strengthening responsible gambling tools such as self-exclusion, modernizing anti-money laundering systems and preparing for emerging issues like cross-border pooled play and digital currencies.

    22 min

  2. 12/09/2025

    Inside one lawyer’s fight with addiction – and the Law Society of Ontario's response

    Toronto criminal defence lawyer Robert Kivlichan joins CL Talk to share how his addiction and severe panic attacks collided with a Law Society of Ontario spot audit and led to his suspension and a capacity investigation. He describes why he believes the LSO’s process can weaponize mental health disclosures, forcing lawyers to surrender sensitive medical information to non‑medical staff, even while they are in treatment. Kivlichan also explains the path he took to lasting sobriety, how he rebuilt his practice, and the hard advice he now gives to lawyers, regulators, and families about supporting professionals in crisis.

    22 min

  3. 12/02/2025

    How law firms are rethinking talent retention for the next generation of lawyers

    In this episode of CL Talk, recorded live at the Canadian Legal Summit, host Robert De Toni moderates a candid conversation with firm leaders Kurt Schlachter of Stringam, Jacqueline Dinsmore of Caravel Law and boutique founder Ashlee Froese on what it really takes to keep today’s lawyers. The panel delves into why younger lawyers are no longer motivated solely by partnership, how culture plans, “success plans,” and flexible budgets can replace vague promises, and why flexible work arrangements must be genuine rather than merely policy rhetoric. They also tackle the mental health impact of the billable hour, the role of a “director of lawyer happiness,” the rise of reverse mentorship in an AI-enabled practice, and the hard business realities around portable books of business, equity buy-ins and alternative career paths beyond the traditional ladder.

    35 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    Danielle Robitaille speaks about building culture at an elite litigation boutique

    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.

    24 min

  5. 11/18/2025

    Jody Glidden on AI-powered proactive relationship management at Postilize

    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.

    17 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    How Sylvie Rodrigue of Torys turned adversity into legal leadership

    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.

    25 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    Law firm leaders challenge traditional compensation models at the Canadian Legal Summit

    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.

    34 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    Harvey’s $5 billion bet: Why the hottest company in legal tech is eyeing Canada

    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.

    28 min
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About

CL Talk is the official podcast of Canadian Lawyer magazine. It will hear from leaders in the legal profession in Canada and beyond. Our editorial team interviews legal leaders about topical issues affecting lawyers from coast to coast.

Information

  • Creator
    Canadian Lawyer Magazine
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    CL Talk

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