My colleagues at Precedent are under strict instruction to help keep me up-to-date. Not so much with current affairs or the latest legal news, but pretty much everything else. They’ve told me, for example, that comedian Amy Schumer is one to watch. They played the surprise Beyoncé album at the office on the day it was released. They have advised me on the next show I should be watching on Netflix, and we’ve debated the merits of many fashion trends, from coloured pants to hipster beards. I’d be a pop culture fool without them.
And just as the Precedent team helps to curate information for me, Precedent magazine endeavours to share the stories, news and popular culture that matter most to you — both in the legal community and beyond. On the beyond-law side of things, we’ve got a story on some great summer reads as well as a beginner’s guide to podcasts. (If you aren’t already listening to podcasts, what are you waiting for? A world of amazing audio awaits your ears.)
And when it comes to law, you’ll most certainly want to be keeping up with the winners of this year’s Precedent Setter Awards. Six years running, these awards recognize lawyers in their first 10 years of practice who are simply outstanding — both in the law they practice and in the ways in which they contribute to their communities. It’s never easy to select the winners from such an impressive pool of nominees, but I’m sure you’ll agree that our judges have chosen an outstanding group of lawyers who are shaping, changing and improving our profession.
We also profile other lawyers in this issue who you’ll want to keep your eye on. You’ll meet Camille Labchuk — who is growing her practice focused on animal-rights law. And Michael Tweyman and Arin Klug, who are modernizing the way we share legal documents in this province.
On a final note, did you know that there’s a ping-pong bar in Toronto? Neither did I. That is, until our art director took this year’s Precedent Setter Award winners to Spin for their photoshoot. We spent the day sitting at indoor picnic tables, enjoying on-trend snacks and cleverly named drinks such as the “Better Call Saul,” while the winners each took their turn with the paddle for their photo. It was one of those perfectly “Precedent” times where the latest trends in law and culture came together. And, for once, I felt like I was keeping up.
Sincerely,
Melissa Kluger
Publisher & Editor
Post Script: What we’re reading
In this issue, lawyers recommend their all-time favourite reads, but in the spirit of staying with it, here are four new books we’re loving right now:
A Better Man By Leah McLaren
“A fictional tale that could also be called: How to Divorce a Divorce Lawyer.”
Melissa Kluger
SuperMutant Magic Academy By Jillian Tamaki
“Awkward super-teens struggle with existential dilemmas and also homework.”
Braden Alexander, associate editor
The Buried Giant By Kazuo Ishiguro
“Fantasy through the twisted lens of the mastermind behind Never Let Me Go.”
Daniel Fish, news editor
The Urban Cycling Survival Guide By Yvonne Bambrick
“Even pro riders will pick up new tips for riding safely through nightmare traffic.”
Lauren Parrott, marketing & events coordinator
This story is from our Summer 2015 issue.
Melissa’s photo by Mckenzie James