Author: Alistair Vigier
Are you trying to figure out what you will do when you win the lotto? If you’re part of a lottery pool, the last thing you want is a legal mess when your numbers finally hit. I’ve seen it happen—one handshake deal turns into a battle over who gets what. People assume trust is enough, but money changes everything. A proper agreement can save friendships, protect winnings, and keep things fair. Michael Cochrane has talked about this before, and he’s right—group play forms and lottery pool contracts aren’t just paperwork. They’re what stand between a smooth payout and a courtroom…
There was an important talk on ADR ethics. Michael Cochrane, an Ontario lawyer, regularly leads discussions at Ontario Bar Association events, focusing on mediation and arbitration. He’s spent years pushing for alternatives to courtroom battles, recognizing that litigation often drains time, money, and energy from clients who want a resolution. But he doesn’t just talk about the benefits—he dives into the messier side of ADR that many avoid: the ethical gray areas. One of the most significant issues in mediation and arbitration is neutrality. Mediators are supposed to be impartial, but what happens when they have a hidden bias? Or…
Work and private lives often get blended these days. In this article, Micahel Cochrane talks about what happened to Jian Ghomeshi. Jian used to be a CBC Radio Host. He was accused of sexually assaulting people and was then arrested. He made a deal with the government to drop the charges since he apologized. Jian was never found guilty. “The scandal that continues to engulf fired CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi highlights an essential trend in employment law related to the increasing blur between professional and private lives, says Toronto lawyer Michael Cochrane. The impact of off-duty conduct on an…
Motorcycle accidents happen more often than people realize, and the numbers keep climbing. In 2017 alone, nearly 89,000 people were injured in motorcycle crashes in the U.S., and over 5,000 lost their lives. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a real issue riders deal with every day. Anyone who rides knows that even the most cautious motorcyclist is at the mercy of other drivers, road conditions, and insurance companies that rarely play fair when things go wrong. When a crash happens, the aftermath is brutal. Injuries are usually severe, medical bills pile up fast, and the financial strain can last for…
Are you looking for a competent personal injury lawyer? Personal injuries due to accidents are prevalent. There are also various other reasons why a person gets injured. These include medical negligence, car crashes, health issues due to consuming food items from a particular brand, and many more. No matter the reason, if you find that any company, corporation, or individual is responsible for your injury, this is the right time to file a compensation claim. An injury lawyer can perfectly handle injury claims. Since personal injury law is full of complexities, it is evident that an individual can’t deal with…
Are you thinking about hiring a personal injury lawyer? If you’ve ever been injured because someone else was careless—whether it’s a car accident, a slip on a wet floor, or even a botched medical procedure—you know how much of a nightmare it can be. Between dealing with insurance companies, unexpected medical bills, and the stress of missed work, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why getting a good personal injury lawyer can make a huge difference, not just in how much compensation you get but in how smoothly the process goes. I’ve seen people try to handle these cases independently,…
Are you looking into workplace discrimination claims in BC? In this article, Rhonda Levy of Litter LLP talks about how the Court of Appeal affirmed that employees in British Columbia must now meet a high standard for showing family status discrimination. See the helpful video below. The British Columbia Court of Appeal has made it more difficult for employees to prove family status discrimination in the workplace. This decision is significant for employers and employees, as it sets a higher threshold for claims related to workplace policies that impact caregiving responsibilities. The ruling clarifies what employees must demonstrate to succeed…
Monty Verlint and Rhonda Levy of Littler LLP talk about their global guide to Canada for Q1 2019 in this article. It’s always interesting to look back at how the legal industry has changed over the years. In early 2019, Monty Verlint and Rhonda Levy from Littler LLP put together a global guide on Canada’s employment laws. I remember when it came out—there was a lot of talk about how Canada was adapting to new workplace realities, especially around issues like remote work, compliance, and evolving labour policies. One thing that stood out in that guide was its focus on…
Usage based car insurance is marketed as fair and data-driven. In reality, it’s just a polished version of old-school discrimination. The idea sounds great—pay for how you drive instead of being lumped into generic risk pools. But once you break it down, the problems start stacking up. I’ve worked with insurance data models; they don’t just track mileage and braking. They analyze when and where you drive, how often you drive at night, and even the neighbourhoods you pass through. The insurance companies claim this is about risk assessment, but it’s about targeting specific demographics. Someone working late shifts or…
Canada needs to do a better job of protecting its citizens. Canada has fallen behind in protecting its people, and I’ve seen the consequences firsthand. Having spent years working in law and business, I’ve watched policies evolve—or, in many cases, stay stuck while other countries move forward. Canada is often reactive instead of proactive regarding privacy, consumer rights, and corporate accountability—the gaps in protection impact real people in fundamental ways. Protecting Its Citizens Take privacy laws. The EU has the GDPR. The U.S. has state-level laws like the CCPA in California. Canada? We still rely on PIPEDA, which was introduced…