Embracing Innovation: Why Nonlawyers should be allowed to own law firms in Ontario

Alternative business structures for law firms were researched and debated back in 2014. Many lawyers were advocating to reform the current structural limitations of law firm ownership. Currently, law firms in Ontario can only be owned 100% by licensed lawyers, but there was hope that the law society of Ontario (“LSO”) would provide for flexible ownership arrangements.  It has been 10 years since the initial debate and it is important to review the changes that have occurred in the legal industry since then.