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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

Partner, 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

Gary S.A. Solway

Technology, Media & Corporate Lawyer | Governance

Matthew Flynn

Technology Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Artificial intelligence has entered a new phase: models can take actions&mdash;deploy code, interact with enterprise systems and operate through automated agents&mdash;with real-world consequences. AI is no longer just a technical capability; it is a core governance priority.

Boards Must Oversee AI Risk

Stop Hallucinating - Boards Must Oversee AI Risk

Christine A. Viney

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kristos J. Iatridis

Corporate & Private Equity Lawyer | Oil Sands Projects

Captive insurance is gaining traction as organizations look for smarter, more resilient ways to finance risk. This overview explores how Alberta captives work, their benefits, and whether they may be a fit for your business.

Curious about Captives Youre Not Alone

Curious about Captives? You're Not Alone!

Christopher J. Doucet

Corporate & Mining Lawyer | M&A & Corporate Finance

Doug Fenton

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Kanwar Brar

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

In a recent enforcement decision, CIRO imposed substantial sanctions on a securities dealer and its Ultimate Designated Person (UDP) for improper trading practices and significant compliance failures. The case underscores CIRO&rsquo;s strict approach to &ldquo;tone from the top,&rdquo; particularly where senior executives fail to uphold or promote firm-wide compliance standards. It also highlights that sanctions are assessed independently of liability findings and can include severe financial penalties, bans, and ongoing regulatory oversight of governance structures.

CIRO Issues Stiff Penalties for Dealer Conduct

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Melissa M. Dimilta

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner, Trademark Agent

Lorelei Graham

IP Lawyer | Food & Agribusiness

This blog examines why Canada&rsquo;s Federal Court is the preferred venue for pharmaceutical patent litigation. It highlights its specialized expertise, efficient procedures and consistent, precedent-driven decisions.

Northern Advantage Canadas Federal Court as a Venue for Pharmaceutical Patent Litigation

Northern Advantage: Canada's Federal Court as a Venue for Pharmaceutical Patent Litigation

Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

This four-part AI Insights Quick Read series explores how routine generative AI use can expose confidential information, weaken privilege and erode intellectual property value. Using US v. Heppner as a starting point, it examines disclosure risk, shadow AI, content dilution and key implications for Canadian organizations.

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

From the Same Authors