The Complete Brief
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January 15, 2026
A few words on prison lawyers
In response to Kurt Suss’s column Prison lawyers: Contraband smugglers or misunderstood advocates? and as a prison lawyer since 1975, let me add the following observations:
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January 15, 2026
Macro marvellous, micro miserable
Bob told me about his law firm exit interview with Joan from HR. When Bob said he was leaving due to the unreasonable workload, Joan was curious, because Bob was one of several associates who had left his department for the same reason. What surprised Joan was that in other departments, the associates were working many more hours, but no one was complaining, let alone quitting.
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January 15, 2026
GAMING AND BETTING - Lotteries - Sports betting - Online gambling and lotteries
Reference by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of Ontario. The reference asked whether legal online gaming and sports betting would remain lawful under the Criminal Code if users in Ontario were permitted to participate in games and betting involving individuals outside of Canada, as described in the Proposed Model.
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January 14, 2026
Ottawa raises vehicle write-off cap, tax deductible mileage allowances for 2026
Businesses will be able to write off more of the cost of higher-priced passenger vehicles starting in 2026, after the federal government raised the depreciation cap on cars used for work by $1,000 to $39,000, according to a release issued Jan. 14.
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January 14, 2026
DLA Piper names Russel Drew managing partner in Canada
DLA Piper has named Russel Drew as its managing partner for Canada, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
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January 14, 2026
Eric Stachecki joins Dentons as partner in Montreal
Dentons has welcomed Eric Stachecki as a partner in its restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy group in Montreal.
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January 14, 2026
Ontario law society announces appointment of new CEO
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) has announced the appointment of Tom Teahen as its new CEO. Teahen will take over the top job Feb. 23. He brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience spanning government, the broader public sector and highly regulated industries.
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January 14, 2026
Federal Court approves $100,000 settlements for children of woman killed in boating accident
The Federal Court has approved a settlement under which two minors whose mother died in a boating collision will each receive about $100,000 in damages, resolving claims against the owners and operators of the vessels for loss of guidance, care and companionship, and loss of dependency and services.
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January 14, 2026
Entering the Canadian market: Legal considerations for U.S. franchisors
Despite recent political chatter suggesting Canada could become America’s 51st state, our nation remains a sovereign country with its own legal system, rule of law and judiciary. Historically, Canada and the United States have enjoyed close bilateral ties and share many cultural practices. Even amid shifts in the current U.S. administration, Canada continues to be America’s second-largest trading partner and the top export market for U.S. goods.
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January 14, 2026
Federal, provincial and local leaders commit to targeting extortion in Peel Region
On Jan. 13, federal, provincial and municipal leaders came together for a summit on combatting extortion and other emerging threats in Ontario’s Peel Region, with the federal government committing up to $1 million to support Peel Regional Police, alongside several other initiatives.