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Melanie L. Aitken

Antitrust & Competition Law Advisor

Managing Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Chief Executive Officer

Patrick T. Maguire KC

Energy & Project Development Lawyer | Oil, Gas & Power

Vice Chair and Partner

To mark this year's International Women's Day, we are proud to present a candid leadership conversation on the challenges women face in the legal field. Our five office managing partners—<a href="/People/A/Aitken-Melanie" target="_self">Melanie Aitken</a>, Radha Curpen, <a href="/People/H/Hussey-Dominique" target="_self">Dominique Hussey</a>, <a href="/People/M/Maguire-Patrick" target="_self">Pat Maguire</a> and <a href="/People/S/Stratton-Barbara" target="_self">Barbara Stratton</a>—are joined by moderator and Bennett Jones partner, <a href="/People/Y/Yung-Michelle" target="_self">Michelle Yung</a> as they share perspectives from their lived experiences. This discussion highlights the importance of acting purposely to create an workplace where women can thrive.

IWD 2023 Workplaces Where Women Thrive

IWD 2023: Workplaces Where Women Thrive

Barbara J. Kimmitt KC

Wills, Estates & Trusts Lawyer | Estate Planning & Mediation

Partner

Barbara J. Stratton KC

Medical Malpractice & Estates Litigator | Mediator

Edmonton Managing Partner

The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) issued its final report in January 2022, entitled "Family Maintenance & Support from the Estate of a Person Who Stood in the Place of Parent." The Report recommends that Alberta legislation should be changed to give rights to step-children against a deceased step-parent's estate. If the Alberta government adopts ALRI's recommendations, this would mean a significant change to the province's succession law.
Currently, lawyers can safely advise clients that step-children do not have a claim against their step-parent's estate. The report's recommendations would change that. The Wills & Succession Act of Alberta (WSA) is a consolidation of most of Alberta's laws that relate to what happens when a person dies. It includes provisions around what is required for a valid Will, what happens if a person dies without a Will (i.e. the intestacy provisions) and importantly, who may make a claim for support if the deceased person's Will, or the intestacy provisions, do not make "adequate provision for the proper maintenance and support" of a family member. These claims are commonly referred to as "family maintenance and support claims," or "FMS."

Alberta Law Reform Commission on Obligations to Step Children

Alberta Law Reform Commission on Obligations to Step-Children

Recent changes to the "Medical Assistance in Dying" (MAID) provisions in the Criminal Code, allow medical or nurse practitioners in Canada to provide MAID to patients who request assistance in dying, who later lose the capacity to consent at the time MAID is administered. As well, it is no longer a prerequisite to MAID that death be "reasonably foreseeable". However, the law-makers remain undecided about how to treat mental illness in the context of MAID, and have essentially declined to make it available for Canadians diagnosed with dementia.

Doctor Assisted Suicide the Next Step of the Journey

Doctor Assisted Suicide: The Next Step of the Journey

Kees de Ridder

Technology, IP & Privacy Lawyer | Patents, Licensing & Cyber

Associate, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

The increasing use of virtual healthcare platforms raises questions and concerns about the protection of personal health information and the application of privacy legislation. Specifically, what happens if a virtual healthcare platform or app experiences a data breach in Alberta? Who bears the responsibility for such a risk?

Balancing Privacy and Convenience Medical Information and the Emergence of Virtual Medicine

Balancing Privacy and Convenience in Electronic Healthcare Law Review

Natalia E. Iamundo

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Proptech is transforming the real estate sector through technologies such as AI, IoT and data-driven platforms. This blog examines recent Canadian patent filing trends, emerging litigation and key IP considerations for companies developing or adopting proptech solutions.

Prop Tech Patents And Patent Litigation

Proptech: Patents and Patent Litigation

Samuel Judson

Associate

Craig R. R. Garbe

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer | Funds, REITs & JV Deals

Rights of first refusal (ROFRs) can significantly affect Canadian commercial real estate transactions, particularly when properties are sold as part of a portfolio. This blog reviews limited Canadian case law addressing when ROFRs are triggered in portfolio sales and the challenges they create for vendors and purchasers. It also outlines practical structuring strategies to help navigate these complex transactions.

Rights of First Refusal in Canadian Commercial Real Estate

Rights of First Refusal in Canadian Commercial Real Estate: Navigating Portfolio ROFRs

Simon P. Crawford

Leading Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Vanessa Kiraly

In Oliva v. Dickson (2025 ONSC 6666), the Ontario Superior Court confirmed that Building Code compliance can be an implied term of an Agreement of Purchase and Sale and a basis for vendor-builder liability in negligence. Even without structural failure or express contractual representations, failing to obtain required permits may breach both contractual and tort duties. The decision is a cautionary reminder that regulatory compliance defines both legal risk and commercial expectations in real estate transactions.

No Permit Big Problems

No Permit, Big Problems: Building Code Compliance,  Implied Terms and Vendor-Builder Liability in Ontario

Daniel (Dan) R. Chubb

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Joan Bilsland

Knowledge Management Research Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Knowledge Management Research Lawyer

Luke Stretch

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canadian courts generally treat real estate deposits as forfeitable upon a purchaser&rsquo;s default, distinct from unenforceable penalty clauses. However, under the Redstone factors, courts may grant relief from forfeiture where a deposit is grossly disproportionate to the vendor&rsquo;s damages or where retaining it would be unconscionable in the circumstances.

When A Deposit Becomes A Penalty

When a Deposit Becomes a Penalty: Relief From Forfeiture in Real Estate Transactions

Andrew N. Disipio

Mining & Corporate Finance Lawyer | M&A, Equity & Debt Deals

Hon. John R. Baird P.C.

Senior Advisor | International Trade, Investment & Security

Senior Business Advisor

Sander A.J.R. Grieve KC

Global Mining Finance & M&A Lawyer | Bennett Jones Toronto

Members of Bennett Jones' mining team shared their insights across three panels held at the firm's Toronto office during this year's PDAC convention. The discussions addressed the opportunities and complexities of this evolving landscape&mdash;and what Canada must do to capitalize on the moment.

Barbara Stratton Court of King's Bench of Alberta Education Seminar

From the Same Authors

IWD 2023: Workplaces Where Women Thrive

Alberta Law Reform Commission on Obligations to Step-Children

Doctor Assisted Suicide: The Next Step of the Journey

Latest Insights

Proptech: Patents and Patent Litigation

Rights of First Refusal in Canadian Commercial Real Estate: Navigating Portfolio ROFRs

No Permit, Big Problems: Building Code Compliance, Implied Terms and Vendor-Builder Liability in Ontario

When a Deposit Becomes a Penalty: Relief From Forfeiture in Real Estate Transactions

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