OTLA urges all members to vote for candidates that oppose implementation of ABS as proposed by the Law Society.
The time to vote for the next Law Society Benchers draws near. In order to ensure that eligible lawyers are well-equipped when voting opens in April, OTLA has prepared a Voting Guide, complete with a list of candidates who oppose the implementation of Alternative Business Structures.
OTLA has been engaged in this issue since June 2013.
Since that time, we have:
- attended LSUC stakeholder meetings
- met with executives of ABS firm Slater & Gordon
- met with other Australian and UK practitioners working with ABS
- met with US lawyers who were involved in ABS presentations
- submitted an official response paper to the LSUC
- commented extensively in the Ontario legal trade press
- commissioned independent research
- published Perspective, a newsletter for bencher candidates
The conclusion we have drawn from this and other research is that ABS does not facilitate access to justice, and would instead create opportunities for unnecessary conflicts of professionalism and ethics, in addition to myriad regulatory issues.
Now, it’s up to you.
When you cast your vote, keep our Voting Guide at hand. The guide is public, so don’t hesitate to share the Guide with other members, colleagues, and Benchers!
Please do your part in ensuring that when it is raised at convocation, ABS is met with the measured, cautious discussion that the issue deserves.
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