Episode 065: Compassionate Care and Advocacy for Sexual Abuse Victims
Butter Torts: A Truly Canadian Legal Podcast
Release Date: 09/01/2023
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, your host, welcomes Linda O’Brien to today’s conversation. Linda joined the Gluckstein family from Evans Philp, where she was a Managing Partner, leading the team in insurance defense tort litigation. She is now a key member of our Sexual Abuse group with the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team, helping to advocate for survivors.
Linda has experience before all levels of courts in Ontario and before both the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) and private arbitrations. She has been a speaker at both legal and insurance industry-sponsored seminars. She is a past member of the Hamilton Law Association, The Advocate’s Society, The Canadian Defence Lawyers, and the Defence Research Institute.
Linda is proud to have been involved in the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Justicia Project, which includes fifty law firms across Ontario pledging commitment to discussing and promoting policies and practice to retain and advance women lawyers in the private practice area of law. Linda is a past member of the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board and most recently served as a Mentor to second-year law students in the Civil Procedure course at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Key Takeaways:
[3:30] Linda discusses her professional journey before arriving at Gluckstein Lawyers.
[6:48] Linda confesses some lawyers are actually the “bad guys”.
[8:30] Linda emphasizes the value of kindness and compassion when communicating with clients.
[10:17] Brenda shares how she waited seven years to speak in court and found a heartwarming lawyer on the defense side who respected and valued her feelings and apologized sincerely.
[14:08] How did Linda decide she wanted to work as an Insurance Defense lawyer?
[15:31] Linda became interested in the field of sexual abuse and started working with Jellinek Ellis at Gluckstein Lawyers.
[18:45] Linda confesses her passion for this area of the law, even though it is such a traumatic field.
[20:45] Did Linda have to experience a shift in perspectives to work on the defense side?
[25:54] Linda became friends with so many clients over the years.
[26:44] What are some of the most difficult aspects of working with sexual abuse cases?
[30:33] Linda shares how hard is to prove the effects reflected on the client were caused by the sexual abuse experienced decades before.
[32:56] How long does it take to reach a resolution on an institutional sexual abuse case?
[35:32] Brenda and Linda address the matter of compensation, which in most cases is the only acknowledgment received by the victim.
[42:24] Brenda and Linda confess they wish they didn’t have work.
Mentioned in this episode:
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