Posts by Iler Campbell

Articling position filled for 2019-2020

August 16th, 2018 by Iler Campbell

We were gratified to receive a strong field of articling student candidates again this year. Of the 137 (!) applications we received we conducted 10 interviews. Our top choice, Karly Wilson, accepted our offer. We’re looking forward to working with her and are confident she will make a great contribution when she arrives in a year’s time, joining the ranks of some terrific students we’ve had over the years.

In the meantime, some lucky clients of ours will have the privilege of working with Brynn Leger, our current articling student. She joined us in July and her articling term runs until May next year. Stay tuned to our blog for more about Brynn and for articles from Brynn over the next months.

Iler Campbell LLP is unusual as a place where young lawyers can gain experience working for non-profits, charities, co-ops, social enterprises and the like. We see hiring articling students as an obligation to the legal profession and to the progressive organizations that we serve. It allows us to give our clients quality, supervised work at lower cost, and have great satisfaction in knowing that even if we don’t hire back, we have contributed to someone’s early start in law.

Our tagline is “A law firm for those who want to make the world a little bit better.” Articling here and in other like-minded firms helps build a cadre of advocates for that better world.

Thank you to all those who applied for a position for the 2019-2020 articling period. We wish all those seeking articling positions the best of luck in their search. We will advertise again next May for the 2020-2021 articling period.

Client Profile: Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes

June 27th, 2018 by Iler Campbell

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Bread and Roses Co-op is a non-profit housing co-operative located in downtown Kitchener.

The co-op, established in 1990, includes a provincially designated heritage building that was built in 1879 as a button factory. Before being renovated to house 21 of the co‑op’s 66 units, the building was variously used for shirt manufacturing, as a barracks during the First World War, and for manufacturing felt, mattresses and electrical supplies. It is one of the most significant heritage landmarks in Kitchener and is the only remaining industrial building in Kitchener with a peaked roof. The heritage building is joined to a modern six story building that contains 45 apartments.

Bread and Roses’ founders were ahead of the curve with their vision of converting an old industrial building into housing in downtown Kitchener. In 1990, few people lived downtown by choice. That’s changed. Kitchener’s downtown is now a trendy, upscale address and the co-op is a bulwark against gentrification. Continue reading “Client Profile: Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes”

What can you expect from articling with Iler Campbell?

May 4th, 2018 by Iler Campbell

In short: to do meaningful work for organizations making a difference in their community, while being mentored by a passionate team of practitioners.

As the only student in a small general service firm, you’ll get a taste of all our practice areas, including charity & non‑profit law, commercial law, real estate, human rights, landlord and tenant law, employment law, construction, corporate governance & structuring, estate law and civil litigation.

You’ll be exposed to all the firm’s major client groups, including housing co‑operatives, affordable housing developers, non‑profit organizations in a variety of industries, and progressive for‑profit organizations.

Continue reading “What can you expect from articling with Iler Campbell?”

Cannabis Legalization: What Social Housing Providers Need to Know

April 27th, 2018 by Iler Campbell

Celia Chandler recently participated in a webinar titled “Cannabis Legalization: What Social Housing Providers Need to Know.” A video of the webinar is now up on Housing Services Corporation’s Sustainable Housing Asset Resource Exchange (SHARE) website.  Celia is joined on the webinar by Brian Laur, Housing Services Corporation’s Director of Insurance Services.

Watch the webinar and download the presentation here.
Continue reading “Cannabis Legalization: What Social Housing Providers Need to Know”

Iler Campbell spring event roundup

April 12th, 2018 by Iler Campbell

Iler Campbell lawyers have a busy spring conference season. Here’s a roundup of where you can find us leading workshops.

Celia is presenting on Cannabis in housing at the Institute of Housing Management Annual Conference on April 13th and then flying to Winnipeg to speak on the same topic for the CHF Canada 2018 Manitoba Spring Education Event on April 14th. She’ll be co‑leading a free webinar on the topic with Brian Laur, Director of Insurance Services for Housing Services Corporation on April 18 as part of HSC’s webinar series.

Michael will be speaking at AdvantAge Ontario’s Annual General Meeting and Convention on April 18 on the topic of addressing senior resident’s behavior issues.

Celia will be part of a panel on residential landlord-tenant dispute resolution at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association’s Congress on Housing and Homelessness in Ottawa on April 26th.  We will also be participating in the tradeshow on April 25th.

Shelina and Claudia are presenting at CHFT’s Spring Member Education Event on Saturday April 28th. Shelina is co‑presenting a workshop on social media with Sophie Taylor of PHCH and Shelina and Claudia are presenting on legal cannabis and co‑ops.

On May 11 Celia will be in Sudbury speaking about human rights in housing for CHF Ontario.

Celia will be at CHFC’s AGM in Victoria, BC. She’ll be presenting June 7th on smoking and cannabis in co-ops on and on human rights in co‑ops.

Some Iler Campbell staffing news

March 13th, 2018 by Iler Campbell

With spring comes renewal, and Iler Campbell is no different! For a couple of years now, our clients have enjoyed working with a consistent team of lawyers, many of whom began with us as articling students and stayed on as lawyers. As with any profession, though, it is unusual for young lawyers to stay at a single firm. While we are sad that two of our home‑grown lawyers are leaving us, we’re equally pleased, though, both have bitten the housing bug and have taken jobs in the housing sector.

Katie Douglas, called to the bar in 2016, has left us for a job lawyering at Toronto Community Housing. Many will know her for her frequent trips to the Landlord and Tenant Board on behalf of our housing clients. Of her time here, Katie says: “I enjoyed working for Iler Campbell’s great clients and getting to know the unique challenges facing the non-profit sector. I’m sad to leave Iler Campbell but excited to continue my career in social housing.” We wish Katie much success as she tackles housing issues from the perspective of an in‑house lawyer.

Lauren Blumas started with us as a summer student in 2012 and developed a strong interest in a range of housing issues like hoarding, aging in place, co‑buying and medical cannabis in housing. Lauren has also decided to see the housing sector from the inside and has taken a management position with Victoria Park Community Homes based in Hamilton. Our loss is their gain. Lauren reflects on her time here in the following way: “I’m grateful for my time at Iler Campbell and the practical foundation it’s given me to pursue a career in affordable housing. It is the good work of Iler Campbell and its incredible clients that inspired me to dedicate my efforts to the urgent issue of affordable housing.”

Do not despair, though – clients will continue to be well‑served. Shelina Ali, Safia Lakhani, and Michael Hackl, and firm partners, Brian Iler, Ted Hyland and Celia Chandler will be joined by Claudia Pedrero. Claudia articled with us then left for awhile and gained valuable experience in condominium law at another firm. We’re thrilled she’s come back to us. Claudia will work on condominium development, financing, purchase and sale transactions, and real estate co-ownership. She will also advise non-profits, charities and co-ops on general corporate governance and housing matters. She is on the board of directors of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, which lets her bring real‑world perspective to client service.