Caroline Zayid is the regional managing partner for Ontario at McCarthy Tétrault. She spoke to the CL Talk podcast about her multifaceted role, the broader landscape of litigation in Canada, and her reflections on being a returning judge at the 2025 Canadian Law Awards. Nominations are open now for the Canadian Law Awards. The deadline to submit is January 31. Nominate at https://www.lawawards.ca.

Caroline Zayid on litigation, client service and leading at the Ontario office of McCarthy Tétrault

Stephanie Leung, senior legal counsel at Enbridge, shared her perspective on the evolving role of in-house counsel, the importance of Indigenous partnerships in the energy sector, and the operational and cultural innovations shaping legal teams today. Leung discussed how Enbridge’s approach to collaboration, diversity, and legal operations is redefining expectations for both in-house and external counsel. She also addressed the challenges of navigating market volatility, driving inclusion, and leveraging technology responsibly. Leung will speak on these topics at the Canadian Legal Summit 2025 in Toronto on October 9.  Visit https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/events for more information about the summit.

Stephanie Leung on shaping Enbridge’s legal strategy

Mark Longo – managing partner of Osler’s Vancouver office and co-chair of the firm’s emerging and high-growth companies group – discusses the remarkable evolution of British Columbia’s technology sector. Longo shares insights on the rise of unicorn companies, the shifting legal landscape, and how Osler is adapting to meet the changing needs of tech clients in a fast-paced, increasingly global market.

Mark Longo on leading Osler's growth in technology law in Vancouver

Derrick Li, chief operating officer at Lawson Lundell, speaks about building a clear and actionable AI strategy for law firms. Drawing on his experience leading digital transformation, Li discusses aligning technology with client needs and explains how Lawson Lundell is navigating the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence. He offers insights on governance, change management, and the future of legal tech – essential listening for legal professionals considering their next steps in AI adoption.

Lawson Lundell's chief operating officer Derrick Li champions a clear AI strategy

Christy Elliott, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, External Affairs and General Counsel at Keyera, shares her insights on the evolving role of the general counsel and the intersection of legal leadership with business strategy in Canada’s energy sector. Elliott will be featured in a roundtable discussion at the Canadian Legal Summit on October 9 in Toronto, where she will join other leaders for a session entitled “Future GC playbook: Essential skills to build a business mindset.” Visit https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/events for more information about the summit.

Keyera’s Christy Elliott redefines general counsel’s business role at energy midstream firm

On this episode, Steven Ngo, senior counsel at Rivian and co-founder of Beyond the A, joins us to discuss how fatherhood, legal innovation, and mental health advocacy have shaped his career and outlook. Ngo shares candid insights on breaking barriers in the legal profession, navigating complex regulatory challenges at Rivian, and why honest conversations—whether in a car or a boardroom—matter more than ever. Listen to more of Steven’s conversations on fatherhood and ambition at https://www.2dads1car.com/

Fatherhood and law: Steven Ngo redefines leadership at Rivian

In this episode, Sandeep Tatla speaks about why open dialogue and psychological safety are essential for meaningful progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within law firms. She explains why policing and cancel culture undermine DEI efforts, and shares practical strategies for building trust and fostering inclusion in legal workplaces. Drawing on her experience as a global DEI leader, Tatla highlights the importance of intentional leadership and daily actions over one-off programs. Tatla will participate in a panel and interactive discussion on the evolving approach to DEI in Canada at the upcoming Canadian Legal Summit on October 9 in Toronto. For more information about the summit, visit https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/events

Open dialogue, not policing, should guide DEI, Sandeep Tatla tells legal leaders

Kirsti McHenry, Pro Bono Ontario’s executive director, speaks about the organization’s rapid expansion in response to surging demand for free legal help, the impact of technology on service delivery, and the critical role of structured pro bono programs in law firms. She highlights how global events and economic shifts are driving new legal challenges for Ontarians, the importance of partnerships with legal tech innovators and community groups, and the need for more lawyers to get involved. McHenry also discusses how streamlined volunteer opportunities, such as the legal advice hotline and sponsor days, are making it easier for busy professionals to contribute meaningfully to access to justice across the province.

Kirsti McHenry calls for more lawyers to join Pro Bono Ontario’s expanding network

Ed Carmichael, managing lawyer at Ownright, a Toronto-based digital platform for real estate transactions, speaks about the urgent need for greater transparency and stronger oversight in Ontario’s real estate sector. Drawing on the recent iPro trust account shortfall, he outlines how gaps in regulatory audits and outdated industry practices leave both clients and lawyers vulnerable. Carmichael also discusses how technology can address these risks by providing real-time updates and clarity throughout the transaction process.

iPro trust account shortfall highlights real estate transparency failures: Ed Carmichael

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Caroline Zayid on litigation, client service and leading at the Ontario office of McCarthy Tétrault

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