As in-house legal departments take on a more strategic role in shaping the direction of Canadian business, Paula Pepin is working to redefine what it means to lead from the general counsel’s chair. A former GC turned executive coach, Pepin is the founder of The GC Collective – an organization that’s helping legal leaders across the country evolve from legal advisors to influential business partners. In this episode of CL Talk, Canadian Lawyer spoke with Pepin – named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada in 2024 – about the isolation many GCs face, the critical skills they’re missing, and how building a real peer community can change everything.  

Nominations for the 2025 Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers are now open: https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/general/top-25-most-influential-lawyers-2025-entries-now-open/391867

The GC Collective: Paula Pepin builds strategic peer network for legal executives

Leonard Marchand was appointed Chief Justice of British Columbia in 2023 and is the first Indigenous person appointed to this role, being a member of the Okanagan Indian Band. Before joining the Court of Appeal in 2019, he practised civil litigation for nearly two decades and served as a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Chief Justice Marchand spoke to the CL podcast about his path to the bench, the challenges of judicial reform, and how he’s working to make the justice system more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to all Canadians.  Last year, Chief Justice Marchand was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer magazine. Nominations for this year are now open: https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/general/top-25-most-influential-lawyers-2025-entries-now-open/391867

A justice system for everyone: BC Chief Justice Leonard Marchand’s vision for the courts

Adam Goldenberg is a partner at McCarthy Tétrault and a leading civil liberties litigator. He is also the host of the firm’s Appealing Briefs podcast. Last year, Adam was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer magazine.  Goldenberg spoke to the CL Talk podcast about the legal battles he's leading in defence of 2SLGBTQI+ rights, the origins of his podcast Appealing Briefs, and how he balances high-stakes constitutional litigation with a demanding commercial practice.

Adam Goldenberg balances civil liberties advocacy and corporate law at McCarthy Tétrault

Ontario’s profession is “stuck” in the civil area Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz said on this episode of CL Talk, Canadian Lawyer’s podcast. He joined Attorney General Doug Downey to discuss why now is the moment for a sweeping rewrite of the province’s civil rules, how they hope to cut timelines in half, and what lawyers across the province should expect as the system shifts from traditional discovery to an upfront evidence model.

Ontario’s civil justice overhaul: Morawetz and Downey on rewriting the system from the ground up

Transforming how justice is delivered – from courtroom operations to legal regulation – is central to Niki Sharma’s agenda as British Columbia’s attorney general and deputy premier. In a recent episode of CL Talk, Canadian Lawyer’s podcast, she outlined her priorities and the principles guiding her work.

BC’s legal future: Attorney General Niki Sharma on technology, equity, and reform

In the latest episode of CL Talk, Canadian Lawyer’s podcast, Tracy Ross, senior vice president and deputy general counsel at RBC, unpacked the legal complexities behind RBC’s landmark $13.5 billion acquisition of HSBC Bank Canada. Ross shared a behind-the-scenes look at how her team executed the most significant banking transaction in Canadian history – over a single long weekend – while keeping the rest of the bank’s legal operations running at full speed. She also reflected on leadership, succession planning, and how RBC’s legal group is evolving alongside the bank’s broader innovation and growth strategies. RBC was awarded the 2025 M&A Deal of the Year, Banking & Financial Services Law Department of the Year and the Canadian Law Department of the Year at the Canadian Law Awards in May.

Tracy Ross on how the RBC legal team executed Canada’s biggest bank acquisition over a weekend

Carole Piovesan, managing partner at INQ Law and a leading voice on AI governance and privacy, unpacks the legal profession’s response to the accelerating influence of artificial intelligence, the shifting regulatory landscape and the practical challenges of integrating emerging technologies into legal practice. She discusses the growing reliance on privacy law as a proxy for AI regulation, the evolving concept of responsible AI, and how law firms must rethink their business models and billing structures. From litigation and cross-border compliance to legal education and firm operations, the conversation explores how legal teams can navigate risk, maintain professional standards and adapt to a future increasingly shaped by automation and data. Visit https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/events for more information about the Canadian Legal Summit.

Carole Piovesan of INQ Law on AI, privacy law and emerging legal frontiers

Bail reform, judicial appointments, and the balance between public safety and Charter rights are all on the table as Canada’s new justice minister takes office. Fraser talks to Canadian Lawyer about how a direct appeal from Prime Minister Mark Carney led him to return to politics after announcing his departure.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser on Carney’s call, constitutional limits, and his plans for legal reform

Justice Sheilah Martin has served on the Supreme Court of Canada since 2017, following appointments to the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal. Trained in civil and common law, she built her career across academia, private practice and the judiciary, focusing on constitutional law, criminal justice and equality rights. In this episode, Justice Martin discusses the value of legal education, the evolving role of judges, and the responsibility of law to reflect fairness in a country as diverse and complex as Canada.  In 2014, she was named one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers: https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/rankings/the-top-25-most-influential-lawyers-in-canada/387950

From academia to the bench: Justice Sheilah Martin's path to the Supreme Court of Canada

Lucas Kilravey is an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s real estate practice in New York. He spoke about the business case for diversity in law, the persistent gaps in representation at major firms, and the practical steps needed to support and advance diverse legal talent. Kilravey discussed the impact of open communication and inclusive leadership on team performance, the shortcomings of traditional mentorship programs, and the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in law firm hiring and promotion practices. Kilravey will speak on these issues at the Canadian Legal Summit 2025 (https://events.canadianlawyermag.com/canadian-legal-summit?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=editorial_article&utm_campaign=CLS2025&utm_content=awareness&utm_term=asset01)  in Toronto on October 9.

Lucas Kilravey calls for transparency and real change in law firm diversity

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.