Health Policy

Health Policy, Life

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Until relatively recently, most people worked to 62 or 65, had a retirement party, collected their pensions, and headed off into the sunset.  Everyone in the office generally knew when to expect people to retire. Today the norms are blurring, particularly for professionals. In this new paradigm, I am constantly amazed to hear from successful…

Health Policy, Legal News

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The profession of law is demanding. Our jobs are chronically stressful and involve long hours. A lot rides on our success and behaviour, and this pressure only increases as lawyers rise in their profession in both law firms and in-house legal departments. During my years as a lawyer – as an associate and as a…

Health Policy, Legal News, Public Policy

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There was a time the American  –  Canadian, UK, and Australian  –  dream was built on the ideal that hard work leads to success. Today, with the rise of technology, the message has become: work all the time or you will fail.[1] The legal culture – in particular law firm culture – encourages workaholic behaviors,[2]…

Health Policy, Legal News

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Surveys continue to find “overwhelming evidence that stress, anxiety and burnout are the most prevalent issues affecting the legal profession”, and that work life balance “remains a key issue for lawyers”.[1] Five early signs of chronic stress include:[2] Overreacting and snapping at people. Losing your sense of humour. Thinking about work 24/7. Decreased satisfaction. Life…

Ethics and Leadership, Health Policy, Legal News

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To be a lawyer in the legal profession is a privilege.  Nevertheless, the profession of law is challenging.  Deadlines are relentless and constant, and the hours long and taxing. There are demanding clients, partners, colleagues, opposing counsel and judges.  Female lawyers may “face their own particular set of challenges.  Even with the changing role of…

Ethics and Leadership, Health Policy, Legal News

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There is no typical lawyer.  With specialization there are substantial differences in workload, client interaction, work environment, compensation and overall quality of life.  In addition, the legal profession and economy has changed substantially even since I was called to the Bar in 1990.  There are no guarantees today to a successful practice, a job, or…

Public Policy

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Global inequality is growing.  The richest 1% of the world’s population now own 50% of its total wealth in U.S. dollars, according to an October 2015 Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse.[1] Oxfam International reported in January 2016 that 62 individuals have the same wealth as the poorest 3.6 billion people in the world.  The World…