Spousal support expected to spark “lively” debate
In his role as co-chairperson at an Osgoode Professional Development seminar Friday, Sept. 21, Gary Joseph said he was most looking forward to hearing discussion and debate on the topic of spousal support.
“It is presently, in my view, the most difficult issue we face today and it involves a myriad of legal and socially controversial choices that make discussion interesting and lively,” said Joseph, managing partner with MacDonald & Partners LLP.
The seminar ran Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and features a special judges’ panel session along with several speakers discussing child and spousal support issues.
Joseph said a conference on this topic is important because, “We address complex issues in child and spousal support that make settlement of matrimonial matters more difficult. We hope to present options and ideas to assist the family law professional in confronting and resolving these issues before they cause significant roadblocks to resolution.”
Family law is “fast moving and evolving,” Joseph said, which is why it’s vital to keep up to date on challenges and developments.
“The practitioner who fails to keep up falls behind and risks doing his/her client a disservice,” he said. “They also risk their reputation and their deductible for negligence insurance.”
MacDonald & Partners LLP research associate Ann Wilton also attended Friday’s event, and selected cases for the judges’ panel’s consideration. The panel was moderated by Joseph.
The seminar raises the bar for continuing education programs for family lawyers, Joseph said, “by addressing the more difficult and complex issues that arise. There are far too many programs that address only the most everyday and mundane issues that arise on family law files.”
He said he was excited to bring together some of the top players in family law, and noted “I enjoy stimulating debate on these complex issues.”
