Although he broadly supports a motion calling for the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) to introduce several requirements if paralegals are allowed to expand into family law, Toronto-area personal injury lawyer Darryl Singer tells The Lawyer’s Daily that the educational component of the proposal should be amended.
Darryl Speaker In the News
COGECO TV – Darryl Singer is a guest on “Get Legal, with Samantha Glass” (90 sec.)
Darryl Singer gives tips on what to bring to your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer. Bring a copy of the accident report (from either the police officer or from the Collision Centre) as well as the other driver’s licence number, address, phone number and email. Also, take a photo of their insurance pink slip. As well, take photos of the other driver’s licence plate as well as any damage to both cars.
THE LAWYER’S DAILY – Motion on expanding paralegal scope of practice tabled at LSUC meeting | Darryl Singer, wellness columnist
A motion regarding paralegals expanding their scope of practice into family law raised heated debate, and was eventually tabled, effectively adjourning the discussion for now, at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s annual general meeting on May 10. Civil litigator Darryl Singer supports allowing paralegals to practice Family Law, providing that they have additional training.
THE LAWYER’S DAILY – Wellness: The stress of graduating $150,000 in debt | Darryl Singer, wellness columnist
Lawyers are three times as likely as non-lawyers to be addicts and alcoholics and more than three times as likely to suffer some form of significant mental health episode. In fact, perhaps one in every five lawyers will face some sort of serious addiction or mental health issue in the course of their career.
THE LAWYER’S DAILY – Lawyers table motion to implement rules on paralegals’ practice in family law | Darryl Singer, wellness columnist
“With family law you’re dealing with the single-most important thing in people’s lives. You’re dealing with their rights to see their children. You’re dealing with — in the case of representing a wife, who in most cases is going to have the kids — the question of whether that person is going to have the financial ability to go on with whatever settlement there is with respect to support,” he [Darryl Singer] said.
“I think there is no harm in having paralegals jumping into the game provided they have specific training in family law.”
THE LAWYER’S DAILY – The healthy lawyer is not an oxymoron | Darryl Singer, wellness columnist
New “Wellness Columnist” Darryl Singer wants to shine a spotlight on health and well-being of lawyers. Many lawyers suffer from mental health issues, including rates of depression as high as 33 per cent, two to three times higher than the general population (law students suffer depression rates of 40 per cent).
As a result, many lawyers suffer from alcoholism and substance abuse issues at twice the rates of the general population, especially cocaine and prescription drugs. Substance abuse increases with years of practice.
Not surprisingly, a reported 25 per cent of the lawyers facing disciplinary issues suffer from drugs, alcohol or depression.
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NEWSTALK 1010 – Anxiety, Depression and Addiction, by Darryl Singer
Barb DiGiulio, host of “The Night Side” on Newstalk 1010, talks to civil litigator Darryl Singer about his article published February 18, 2017, in The Globe and Mail about Anxiety, Depression and Addiction.
Medical paper trail helpful in chronic pain claims
People suffering from chronic pain need to help their lawyers by leaving a medical trail, says Toronto personal injury lawyer Darryl Singer.
Singer, principal of Singer Barristers Professional Corporation, says the odds are often stacked against people who suffer from chronic pain because conditions such as fibromyalgia can be hard to prove and don’t leave a physical trace like broken bones.
NEWSTALK 1010 – Darryl Singer talks about distracted driving to host Barb DiGiulio
Darryl Singer talks to host Barb DiGiulio about distracted driving and the fact that Toronto had 43 pedestrian deaths in 2016 on “The Night Side.” (8 minutes). NOTE: It is the last interview on the page at the above URL.
CBC RADIO – Darryl Singer talks about mental health to the CBC’s Nicole Ireland
Darryl Singer talks to the CBC’s Nicole Ireland about his addiction to depression, OxyContin, and mental health in the legal profession.