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| Jacob Murad |
- Integration of artificial intelligence: After several years of pushback in the legal industry, it appears that artificial intelligence has grown from useful tool like any other technology to crucially required to meet client expectations. Clients are now preparing their own contracts and asking lawyers to use AI to do the same to lower costs. Look to create internal policies for the use of AI which protects copyright and confidentiality and see how to incorporate client expectations with the use of artificial intelligence. Never forget a lawyer’s true value proposition.
daphnusia: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
- Changes to the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure: After much consultation, the expected rollout of the new Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure is coming in 2026. Litigators should brace themselves and their clients for a whole lot of confusion and change of pace and strategy to tailor their practice for more of a fast-paced, mandated court-driven process than one of delay and controlled by the parties. Will this lead to the increase of resolutions within a two-year period as planned or simply more issues? Either way, this will be a major change to expect in 2026.
- The possible end of the bar exams: The Law Society is recommending the elimination of the barrister and solicitor examinations and replacing them with skills-based programs. They are looking for commentary by end of January 2026. If this is in fact instituted, expect an even larger rise of internationally trained and qualified legal professionals looking for work or beginning sole proprietorships. Ideally, they will have greater practical skills; lower legal knowledge; and similar industry expectations. Owners of law firms should change their expectations of candidates moving forward. And speaking of employers…
- The rise of employer transparency: Starting in 2026, Ontario has instituted new employer transparency rules, which are bound to increase employment litigation on the subject. Employers are now expected to provide compensation ranges in their postings, cannot discriminate based on Canadian experience, and disclose the use of AI in hiring processes.
- Recognition of interprovincial accreditation: Ontario is looking to streamline accreditation of service professionals who are coming from various provinces to increase the labour force. Again, as it relates to lawyers specifically, between this and the elimination of the bar exam, we may see a large influx of Ontario accredited lawyers.
- Tariff confusion: Throughout 2025, Canadians have been hit with tariffs from the U.S. causing mass confusion among small business owners, distributors and manufacturers. It’s unclear how, to whom and when these are applied, or how to appeal and the quantum. Lawyers should apprise themselves as best as they can of the continuous changes or ally themselves with advisers who do to best support Canadian businesses.
- The continuation of succession planning to combat the Great Wealth Transfer: As baby boomers continue to get into retirement age, expect to see large restructurings, inheritances, estate disputes and intergenerational tax planning. Make sure you and your clients have succession plans that minimize taxes and plan for the future.
As a professional, you should always look to the future and your personal growth. I wrote these rhetorical questions last year, so I will repeat them again:
Are you finding ways to expand your firm? Have you checked in with your largest clients and most impactful employees? What makes your practice more valuable to clients than the next one? (Quick tip: The answer should not be “lowest price.”) Have you increased your expertise in a certain specialty or increased your knowledge base generally?
Take time with yourself to ask these questions and set goals for next year so you can become a better and more valuable lawyer to your clients and, more importantly, to grow personally.
Happy New Year.
Jacob Murad is the managing partner and general counsel to Bluestar Equity, a private equity family office in Toronto, as well as president of KPA Lawyers Professional Corporation, a full-service law firm in Mississauga, Ont. He has served as general counsel and director for a large number of private companies throughout Canada and was responsible for the negotiation of complex mergers and acquisitions across a variety of industries. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario’s Coach and Mentor Roster. He can be reached at jacob@kpalawyers.ca.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, LexisNexis Canada, Law360 Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
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