Episode 060: Advocating for LGBTQ+ Lives: A Journey of Support with Michael Battista
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Release Date: 06/09/2023
Episode 076: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law: Casting Doubt on the Victims’ Claims with Mandi Gray
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew and Vanshika Dhawan, your hosts for today’s episode, welcome Mandi Gray to today’s conversation about sexual assault and defamation law. Mandi is a researcher, writer, and advocate who lives in Toronto with her dog CeCe. She was awarded a PhD. She is currently an assistant professor in an undergraduate Criminology Program for research and teaching focusing on gender and violence. Mandi also consults with a wide array of profit and nonprofit organizations on complex problems related to gender justice and injustice. Key Takeaways: [2:58] Mandi shares how she got...
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Episode 075: Cultural Responsiveness and Humility with Aaron Palmer
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew, your host, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Aaron Palmer, the owner of and an occupational therapist. They delve into the vital subjects of cultural responsiveness and humility, offering valuable insights and suggestions on how to exercise humility and achieve a better understanding of people from different cultural backgrounds, Key Takeaways: [3:21] What does cultural responsiveness mean? [6:48] Aaron shares the meaning of cultural competence. [9:32] Be careful of stereotyping! [11:08] Why is it important for organizations to be conscious of...
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Episode 074: Behavior Therapy: Helping People Reach a Better Quality of Life with Stacey Levine
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew and Tiffany Lawand Fraser, your hosts, are joined by Stacey Levine in today’s episode to explore the field of rehabilitation and the valuable strategies Behavioral Therapists provide to improve patients’s quality of life. Stacey was named Healthcare Provider of the Year in the Award of Excellence in Brain Injury Rehabilitation in 2023. She is also co-founder and co-owner of and specializes in behavior therapy. Key Takeaways: [2:58] Stacey shares what motivated her to get into the field of rehabilitation. [4:28] Stacey highlights the importance of working with a...
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Episode 073: Law and Empathy with Linda O’Brien
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Linda O’Brien to today’s episode. Linda recently joined the Gluckstein family from a boutique litigation firm where she focused exclusively on civil litigation, defending tort litigants. She is now a key member of our Sexual Abuse group with the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team advocating solely for survivors of sexual abuse. Over her almost 30 years of practice, Linda has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, along with appearances before numerous boards and at private arbitrations. Linda is proud to be involved in initiatives to promote policies...
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Episode 072 The Power of Talking with Adrienne Patterson
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Adrienne Patterson to today’s episode. Adrienne is a former client who will share her experience working with the Gluckstein family. Adrianne participated in the Compassion Fatigue Conference of 2023, where she presented her story. Adrienne courageously shares her journey from recovering from a head injury and losing her career, to becoming a victim of sexual assault perpetrated by one of her physicians. Adrienne found her strength and purpose in speaking up for all of those who could not. Key Takeaways: [4:26] Adrienne shares some about her journey....
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Episode 071: Post-Settlement Resource Guide: An Essential Tool for Guardians with Jan Marin
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Jan Marin to today’s conversation, where they discuss a new project that Gluckstein Lawyers is launching: The , a guide for people at the end of their settlement. This guide is meant to assist everyone involved in putting a settlement together for an individual or a family that has been through a case. This tool is crucial for guardians to know how to manage settlement funds more effectively. Key Takeaways: [1:52] Brenda shares how she met Glucksteing Lawyers and later became part of the team. [3:52] Jan provides context about this guide,...
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Episode 070: Sexual Assault in Sports with Simona Jellinek
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Simona Jellinek to discuss the recurrent topic of sexual abuse in sports. This topic has become more prevalent lately as a result of the World Junior Hockey sex assault case, but unfortunately, this is not an isolated event; other disciplines, like gymnastics and taekwondo, among other sports. Key Takeaways: [3:40] Brenda addresses the vulnerability of young people playing sports. [4:20] Simona highlights two different aspects: the sexual assault suffered by players and the sexual abuse perpetrated by them. [6:07] Simona discusses the...
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Episode 069: 2023: A Year to Remember!
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew and Charles Glusckstein host today’s episode, where they discuss the extraordinary events that took place and share the highlights for the Gluckstein family in 2023. Key Takeaways: [1:40] Charles shares what 2023 looked like for Gluckstein Lawyers. [5:45] The development of the was an outstanding achievement in 2023. [7:40] Charles talks about the involvement in the 60s scoop survivors cases. [9:25] Brenda shares the growth of Gluckstein Lawyers during 2023. [13:17] Charles discusses the importance of ’s inclusion in Gluckstein's Team. [15:18] Simona’s Team brought a...
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Episode 068: Survivor of TBI Develops an Innovative Approach to Heal the Brain with Dr. Matthew Gallati
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew, your host, welcomes Tiffany Lawand-Frasier as the co-host for today’s episode. Joining them is , founder of Brain Changes Initiative and a survivor of a Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. He researched how best to heal and created his own recovery protocol based on revolutionary new science around a brain-supporting lifestyle. Against all odds, he recovered fully to complete his medical training and has come full circle as a physician. Key Takeaways: [3:32] Tiffany shares the story of how she met Dr. Gallati. [5:03] Dr. Gallati narrates the terrible accident he...
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Episode 067: Caring for Mental Health Within the Legal Practice with Lynne Harford
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Brenda Agnew, your host, has the pleasure of welcoming to today’s conversation. Lynne is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She is also certified as a Clinical Traumatologist and Art Therapist from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. Lynne has maintained a leadership role within The Social Work Consulting Group since she joined in 2008 and is The Director of Pediatrics within the practice. She brings with her almost 20 years of clinical pediatric knowledge and draws upon her vast experience and multitude of approaches, which...
info_outlineBrenda Agnew is co-hosting today’s episode with Simona Jellineck. They have the privilege of welcoming Michael Battista to a thoughtful conversation.
With over 30 years of experience practicing immigration and refugee law, Michael is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law (Immigration and Refugee Protection). Michael worked with EGALE Canada and the Canadian government to extend the family class to same-sex couples under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and has appeared as a witness before Parliament on issues involving LGBTQ+ immigration, sponsorships, and medical inadmissibility. The breadth of Michael's expertise covers the entire spectrum of immigration and refugee law, with a focus on matters related to sponsorships based on same-sex relationships, HIV, medical and other inadmissibility, and Express Entry applications by people seeking to obtain Canadian permanent residence for them and their same-sex partners.
Michael also leads the firm’s corporate immigration practice, involving the transfers of employees to Canada. He has been an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto since 2003 and an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy since 2017. He received the first Teaching Innovation Award from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy in 2018.
Key Takeaways:
[3:30] Michael shares his motivation to do the work that he does.
[6:30] Michael talks about his life in his twenties and the impact of HIV on his community.
[10:15] Many changes have taken place in the past couple of decades.
[14:54] Simone remembers how difficult advocating for LGBTQ+ rights was in her twenties.
[16:39] Rainbow Railroad is not only happening in Canada.
[18:43] Michael recalls the early times of fundraising for Rainbow Railroad.
[22:30] Brenda, Simona, and Michael address the societal aspect in Canada compared to the US.
[27:05] Michael defines prosecution.
[29:00] Is Rainbow Railroad alone gathering funds for the cause?
[30:01] How does Rainbow Railroad help the people in their initial times in Canada?
[33:14] Michael discusses some of the steps forward and some of the steps back that have occurred in this movement over the years.
[34:05] What role do other organizations like the UN play in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights?
[37:30] Michael highlights the power of certain words.
[38:12] How can people get involved?
[40:02] Does the local Ugandan community in Canada hold the same judgments over the LGBTQ+ community?
[41:37] How many people did Rainbow Railroad help over the years?
[42:30] Michael shares one particular email that got to his heart in 2010.
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the work we do at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
Learn more about Michael Battista and visit Rainbow Railroad.
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