Pulse
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June 11, 2025
When the gatekeeper fails: Lessons from California’s botched 2025 bar exam
In February 2025, the State Bar of California conducted what was supposed to be a streamlined, cost-efficient bar examination — an experiment in modern legal licensure. Instead, it devolved into one of the most publicized failures of professional credentialing in recent memory. As lawyers in Ontario and across Canada observe an evolving conversation around lawyer competence and access to the profession, California’s case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of opaque governance, overreliance on private contractors and the erosion of professional oversight in legal licensing.
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June 11, 2025
Judicial scarcity and Civil Rules Review: We can’t get there from here without more judges
The Civil Rules Review Phase 2 (CRR) states: “There is consensus that the problem of access to timely and affordable civil justice has only gotten worse since Hryniak, particularly following the Supreme Court’s decision in R. v. Jordan” (Hryniak v. Mauldin, [2014] 1 S.C.R. 87; R. v. Jordan, [2016] 1 S.C.R. 631).
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June 11, 2025
Appeal Court stands by trial judge’s balance between probative value and prejudicial evidence
It has been a 13-year ordeal for both the accused and the victim’s family. Unless there is a further appeal, Adam Picard will remain in prison. After being charged with first-degree murder in 2012, a court stayed the prosecution of Picard due to unreasonable delay in 2016 (R. v. Picard, 2016 ONSC 7061). That decision was overturned by the Ontario Court of Appeal (R. v. Picard, 2017 ONCA 692).
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June 10, 2025
Canada’s top judge declares ‘in this country, the rule of law is non-negotiable’
Lawyers, as officers of the court, have a professional “responsibility and obligation” to defend the rule of law and the independence of the bar and judiciary against attacks, Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner said at his annual news conference in Ottawa.
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June 10, 2025
Miller Thomson names Enzo Di Iorio as new chair
Miller Thomson has announced that Enzo Di Iorio will assume the role of the firm’s new chair, effective July 1, 2025.
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June 10, 2025
Drew Lambert joins MLT Aikins as associate in Winnipeg
MLT Aikins has announced the addition of Drew Lambert as an associate lawyer in its Winnipeg office.
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June 10, 2025
Juries warrant recognition, but seriously
On June 5, the Honourable Lucie Moncion (Ontario, Independent Senators Group) reintroduced Bill S-226 (An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week) in the Senate. The bill aims to establish a National Jury Duty Appreciation Week, which will take place annually during the second week of May. Its adoption is intended to facilitate yearly recognition of the contributions and dedication of thousands of Canadian jurors and raise awareness among governments and the public about the mental health challenges associated with serving as a juror.
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June 09, 2025
Civil society advocates, information watchdog seek major overhaul of Access to Information Act
Advocates for greater government transparency and accountability have called on the Carney government to stand up an “independent” review — and then speedily overhaul — the much-criticized federal Access to Information Act.
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June 09, 2025
Accepting defeat honourably
As a wrongly convicted individual in this country, I know something about defeats, especially those of the legal variety. I suffered many between my arrest in 1988 and my eventual acquittal in 2000. I offer these comments as an individual and specifically not in my capacity as a co-president and board member of Innocence Canada.
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June 09, 2025
Three new associates at DLA Piper
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP has welcomed three new associates to its team across various practice areas in Montreal and Calgary, according to announcements from the firm.