Summit panels revealed how AI, resilience, and strategy are reshaping how lawyers thrive
The Canadian Legal Summit launched in Toronto yesterday with a palpable sense of urgency and optimism, as legal leaders, in-house counsel, and innovators gathered to tackle the profession’s most pressing challenges – from AI disruption to the future of compensation.
Setting the scene: Navigating disruption and uncertainty
The day opened with a keynote from the Honourable Arif Virani, senior counsel at Torys LLP and former federal Minister of Justice. Virani addressed “navigating disruption: the lawyer’s role in a divided global landscape,” urging the profession to lead with clarity and conviction as trust in institutions is tested and expectations shift. His remarks framed the summit’s theme: the legal profession is being rewritten in real time, and lawyers must be at the forefront of defending democracy, public trust, and the rule of law.
The first main stage panel, “How legal leaders are adapting,” picked up this thread. Moderated by Jennifer Bishop, partner at Aird & Berlis LLP, the session featured Preet Gill (Toronto managing partner, Bennett Jones LLP), Nick Pasquino (partner, BLG LLP), and Tanya Walker (managing partner, Walker Law). The panel examined how Canadian firms are responding to global uncertainty, especially the ripple effects of U.S. political and economic shifts. While the natural business flow has traditionally been north-south, there is a greater focus on trans-Atlantic and east-west opportunities. The panellists discussed how law firms are leaning into a full-service approach and how clients are becoming more accustomed to ongoing uncertainty.
Artificial intelligence was a major topic, with panellists highlighting the tension between the opportunities AI brings and the profession’s ethical obligations. While AI can streamline certain processes, it also introduces risks such as case hallucinations and challenges to confidentiality and privilege. The group agreed that AI cannot replace the human relationships at the heart of legal practice. Training junior lawyers to view technology as a tool, rather than a threat, was seen as crucial for retention and growth. There was also discussion about the need for skepticism when using AI, especially since “correct” can be a matter of perspective, and about the growing use of AI for non-legal purposes such as HR.
In-house counsel: Navigating crisis and embedding legal in strategy
But it’s not just law firm leaders who are navigating rapid change. The “Crisis counsel: the shifting role of in-house and the future of law firm collaboration” panel highlighted how in-house legal teams face their own evolving challenges. Panellists, including Stephanie Leung, Jennifer Suess, Jon Domanko, and Peter Nguyen, described how in-house counsel are now embedded in corporate strategy, managing everything from reputational risk and labour strikes to crisis communications and project management.
Leung described a shift in perception: legal is no longer a “necessary evil” but an integral part of company growth. Suess emphasized that in-house counsel must be both fast and accurate, and that external counsel should provide value far beyond what they charge. The panellists agreed that the modern in-house lawyer is expected to anticipate risks, manage crises, and help guide the organization through uncertainty – often drawing on lessons learned from past crises to reassure and support colleagues. The importance of diversity, adaptability, and values-driven decision-making was also underscored, with panellists sharing how these factors influence internal culture and external counsel selection.
Legal tech and innovation: From AI to cyber threats
Throughout the day, legal technology and innovation were front and centre. In the Tech & Innovation Stage, sessions addressed how legal teams are managing AI in practice, with panellists sharing real-world examples of building responsible AI policies, testing tools, and applying safeguards to unlock efficiency without compromising trust. Speakers discussed practical use cases for AI, from research and contract analysis to internal automation, and stressed the importance of evaluating data privacy, hallucinations, and vendor risk.
A panel showcase titled “The one tool I can't work without” featured law firm and in-house professionals revealing the tech solutions that have become essential to their practice, driving productivity, collaboration, and client service improvements. Rapid tech showcases highlighted the latest in AI-powered legal intelligence and digital identity solutions for real estate transactions.
Cybersecurity was also a significant focus, with a live demonstration on how AI-powered attacks are evolving and what vulnerabilities legal professionals need to watch for. The session offered practical strategies for reducing risk and building stronger cyber readiness, underscoring the need for legal teams to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.
Compensation models in law: Transparency, alignment, and retention
One of the most anticipated sessions was the Content Lounge panel, “Will traditional compensation models survive the future of law?” Moderated by Jacquelyn Stevens, the discussion featured Faren Bogach (Construct Legal) and Paul Saunders (Stewart McKelvey), who have pioneered innovative compensation approaches.
Bogach described her journey from opaque, billable-hour-driven systems to a transparent profit-sharing model at her boutique firm. Her firm ties compensation to a maximum billable hour, not a minimum, and focuses on teamwork, efficiency, and client service rather than individual performance. She says this approach has resulted in almost no turnover in four years. She emphasized that traditional models often punish efficiency and drive away top talent, as the most efficient lawyers can do more work for less pay, leading to burnout and attrition.
Saunders recounted how Stewart McKelvey overhauled its partner compensation system to reward not just personal billings, but also firm roles, business development, and client management. He stressed that a compensation system must be aligned with the firm’s strategic plan, and that transparency and consistency are essential for buy-in and satisfaction. The new approach has reversed declining realization rates and improved recruitment and retention.
Both panellists agreed that transparency is essential. Bogach shared that everyone at her firm knows the costs and revenues, which helps with decision-making and reduces resentment. Saunders added that meaningful consultation and regular feedback are critical to partner satisfaction.
The panel’s themes echoed many issues raised in pre-conference coverage, including Bogach’s column on why the billable hour should lose its grip and recent features on lawyer well-being and the need for purpose-driven workplaces.
A profession in transition: From new frontiers to well-being
Throughout the day, other panels continued the conversation about the law’s evolving landscape. The agenda featured sessions on “Diverse talent as a competitive advantage,” “Balancing the scales: how work allocation drives equity in legal practices,” and “Emerging legal frontiers: key practice areas shaping the future of law,” where experts like Carole Piovesan and Molly Reynolds discussed the impact of AI, privacy, and cross-border compliance on the next decade of legal practice.
Sessions on burnout and well-being highlighted the differences between criminal and in-house roles and reinforced the need for structural change – an issue Dr. Traci Cipriano covered in depth before the summit.
As the day closed, the Canadian Legal Summit made clear that the profession is moving beyond tradition – embracing transparency, collaboration, and purpose as the foundation for a more resilient, adaptive, and healthy legal community.
The Summit would not be possible without the generous sponsors who contributed to the ambiance of the day. Delegates were able to network with a wide swath of relevant vendors, including event partner LEAP, premium partner Thomson Reuters, barista coffee sponsor GoVeyance, professional headshot sponsor Laurel, and registration sponsor Closer.
Osgoode Professional Development served as education partner, Filevine and Treefort were insights sponsors, and Lawyers Financial, Realaml, and Scotiabank rounded out the exhibitors. Legal Innovation Zone was marketplace sponsor and Vaultie was marketplace exhibitor.
Tech Talk sponsors Dye & Durham, FCT, and LexisNexis Canada rounded out the support, with the latter showcasing Lexis+ AI with Protége and engaging with peers who are driving meaningful change in the legal industry.
LexisNexis told Canadian Lawyer they were honoured to continue their longstanding support of Key Media’s flagship event.
“Each year, this summit convenes a dynamic community of legal professionals, fostering meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and forward-thinking perspectives,” said LexisNexis. “Collaborating with partners who are shaping the future of law is one of our priorities, and we’re committed to supporting events that inspire innovation and elevate the legal profession.”
