Looking forward to a fast-approaching future

Recently, I was asked to share my thoughts on the future of the profession with law students, law professors and members of the profession at the University of Ottawa. In preparing my remarks (you can find a copy of my speech here) I thought a lot about what I have learned as Treasurer about the future of legal services, both here and abroad.

We are witnessing what I think is the beginning of a major transformation to the legal professions, one unparalleled in our more than two-centuries-old history in the province.

What’s driving that transformation? The business of law is becoming increasingly global, for one. And the impact of technology on the practice of law around the world simply cannot be denied.

Closer to home, changes to the lawyer licensing process, the growth of the paralegal profession, and the recent changes to the national mobility agreement have all radically altered our legal landscape.

This profound shift in the delivery of legal services — not to mention the increasing gap between those who can and can’t afford access to them — present special challenges for regulators like the Law Society of Upper Canada.

What should we do? Suffice to say, our challenges are easier to identify than to meet.

For just one example, we must continue to examine the possibilities of alternative business structures, because as difficult as it may be to think about reinventing our professions, the evidence shows that taking a hard look is now absolutely necessary.

We also have to foster not only our own access to justice initiatives, but also those of other stakeholders in the legal community. What the system needs is facilitative leadership… Leadership I think we can start to provide by establishing a standing forum for dialogue. Through such a forum, we can continue to bring diverse parties together — to identify priorities, commit to specific actions and work plans, and facilitate the collaboration necessary to bring those plans to fruition.

And we need to work carefully on the implementation of the Pathways project, supporting both the Law Practice Program and the traditional articling process through the pilot period over the next two to three years.