The Weekly Brief: October 23, 2026

Litigators led the lateral market this week. Fasken added an estates and commercial litigation partner at its office on Tsuut'ina Nation lands near Calgary, while Lerners and KMB Law each brought in a dispute resolution partner in Toronto. On the regulatory side, Alberta's bencher candidates are now free to campaign, and the Ontario Court of Justice has set page limits for family and child protection filings that start in January. We close with what lawyers in Alberta earn.

Market and pay: three litigation partners move

On October 16, Fasken said Paul Reid has joined as a partner in its litigation and dispute resolution group, based in its Tsuut'ina office in the Taza development on Tsuut'ina Nation lands. He was previously a partner at an Alberta firm, which the announcement does not name. His work centres on wills, trusts, and estate litigation and on commercial disputes, for individuals, fiduciaries, and financial institutions, and he has appeared in courts in Alberta and British Columbia and in the Federal Court. Fasken presents the hire as part of the continued growth of that office (Fasken).

On October 19, Lerners announced that Stefan Kuuskne has joined as a partner in Toronto. His practice covers complex commercial litigation, domestic and international arbitration, and regulatory, trade, and international tribunal work. He was called in Ontario in 2013 and in New York in 2015, and holds the Q.Arb. designation (Lerners announcement).

Also on October 19, KMB Law said Eric Sherkin has joined its Toronto office as a litigation partner. He acts in corporate and shareholder disputes, fraud, professional negligence, defamation, and debt recovery, and has obtained urgent remedies such as Mareva, Norwich, and Anton Piller orders. He was called in 2007 and co-authored Creditors' Remedies in Ontario (KMB Law announcement).

We log moves like these in our partner moves tracker, with sources. Weighing a move yourself? Start with a lateral business plan.

Regulators and courts: Alberta campaigns, Ontario page limits

The Law Society of Alberta's bencher election moved into its campaign phase on October 20. Candidates may campaign from that date once they have been told their nomination is complete, and October 20 was also the cutoff for voter eligibility: active members as of that day can vote. Voting opens on November 10, when credentials are emailed, and closes at 4:30 p.m. Mountain time on November 17. There are 19 bencher seats to fill (Law Society of Alberta election FAQ).

In Ontario, the Ontario Court of Justice announced a practice direction on page limits on October 21 (announcements). It applies to domestic and child protection proceedings from January 1, 2027, and judges keep discretion to vary the limits case by case (Ontario Court of Justice).

Permitted attachments are relevant excerpts of items such as professional reports, support calculations, valuations, and offers to settle. Documents must use 12-point font or larger and be double spaced. The affidavit limits do not apply to place of safety hearings or initial children's aid society motions.

This week: Toronto in-firm interviews start November 2

Toronto's 2L call day was this morning. In-firm interviews follow from Monday, November 2 to Wednesday, November 4, and offers may not be made before 5:00 p.m. Eastern on November 4 (Osler's Toronto student page). Our Toronto in-firm interviews guide covers how the week runs.

By the numbers: lawyer pay in Alberta

The median lawyer in Alberta earns $78.85 an hour, or about $164,000 for a full-time year of 2,080 hours, well above the national median of $59.76, or about $124,000 (Job Bank). These figures cover all lawyers, not only large firms, so pay at a downtown Calgary firm can sit well above or below them. Our Calgary legal market guide has more on the city.

The Weekly Brief is published every week. Have news about a move, a new firm, or a change in pay? Tell us at will@laterallawreport.com and include a public source.