Law, Leadership, and Life Choices with Norman Bacal!

From Criminal Law to Human Rights: A Mexican Lawyer’s Fight for Justice

In this compelling episode, hosts Kim Gale and Sam Allan speak with Lili Moreno, a former criminal and human-rights lawyer from Mexico whose legal journey spans systemic injustice, cartel violence, and starting all over in Canada. Lili shares how she entered law inspired by her father, worked through Mexico’s 2010 human-rights reforms, and represented individuals facing illegal detention, torture, and severe abuses of power. What began as advocacy for marginalized communities eventually placed her in danger when she unknowingly worked with clients connected to cartel members, which ultimately led to Lili’s decision to flee for safety. Today, Lili continues her commitment to justice in Canada through work in housing, mental health, and community support. This episode explores:  • the reality of human rights and criminal law in Mexico,  • the dangers lawyers face when caught between cartels and the state,  • and Lili’s courageous journey rebuilding her life abroad. This episode of Legally Abroad is proudly sponsored by the Real Estate Transaction Certificate Program at Lincoln Alexander Law – Professional Development. Enhance your legal skillset with specialized, practice-ready real estate training! NCA Network listeners receive 15% off with promo code NCANETWORK15. 🎧 Listen now to an inspiring and eye-opening story of resilience, advocacy, and survival!

Law, Leadership, and Life Choices with Norman Bacal!

This week, hosts Samantha Allan and Kim Gale sit down with Norman Bacal, once one of Canada’s top film finance lawyers, a Hollywood board member, and founding partner of a prestigious firm that represented Warner Brothers, MGM, Sony, and Lionsgate. When his 25-year firm collapsed in 2014, Norman “rewired” his life: retiring from law, writing the bestselling memoir Breakdown, authoring multiple guides for lawyers (Take Charge and Never Stop), and starting a second career as a novelist, lecturer, and mentor.  In this episode, Norman shares: * How he balanced law firm leadership with being present for his family. * His “Three C’s of Leadership” (Culture, Communication, Consistency). * Why rainmaking is about storytelling, not extroversion. * Lessons on networking, client care, and avoiding cynicism in firms. * His journey of starting over at 57 and what continuous learning really looks like. Norman will also be the keynote speaker at the NCA Network Career & Networking Summit on September 17th, bringing his hard-won wisdom to internationally trained lawyers and young professionals alike! Whether you’re a law student, an ITL, or a seasoned practitioner, this conversation is packed with practical insights on building a career (and a life) with purpose!

From NCA to the Courtroom: Estate Litigation in Practice!

From NCA to the Courtroom: Estate Litigation in Practice – this week on the NCA Network: Legally Abroad podcast, hosts Kim Gale and Samantha Allan are joined by special guests, Palak Mahajan and Kiran Sanghera of Gale Law Professional Corporation, for an in-depth conversation on the world of estate litigation! What does estate litigation actually involve? Why is it such a niche and important area of law in Canada? And how can internationally trained lawyers (ITLs) find their way into this highly specialized, courtroom-driven practice? You've come to the right place! From navigating complex family disputes to protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals, estate litigation offers unique opportunities for ITLs to make a difference while building fulfilling legal careers. In this episode, Palak and Kiran share their personal journeys from NCA candidates to practicing litigators, and offer honest, practical advice for anyone looking to follow in their footsteps! 🎧 Whether you're preparing for the NCA exams, articling, or exploring new areas of law, this episode is packed with tons of information and insightful tips! Check out this episode now, wherever you listen to podcasts. Special thanks to this episode’s amazing sponsors: - Osgoode Professional Development – A leader in legal education, OsgoodePD offers NCA-accredited programs, professional LLMs, and CPD courses that empower internationally trained lawyers to succeed in the Canadian legal market. - Lawyers Financial – Insurance and investment solutions created specifically for Canada’s legal community. No commissions. No pressure. Just trusted, objective advice designed to help lawyers thrive—financially and professionally.

Spark Law: The Challenges of Running a Small Firm

In this episode, we sit down with Sanjay Kutty to unpack the highs, lows, and bold ideas behind Spark Law — a small firm he co-founded with the vision of redefining the traditional legal model. From offering tiered, flat-rate legal services for startups to creating a collaborative co-working space for young lawyers, Spark Law set out to be a different kind of law firm — one built on innovation, community, and client-centricity. Picture “Google meets law firms” — where lawyers were encouraged to think outside the box, ditch the billable hour, and focus on growth, not just targets. But then, COVID hit. Sanjay shares the in-house perspective that shaped their vision, the marketing and economic hurdles they faced, and how the dream of a people-first legal space evolved. Now at boutique business law firm Linmac LLP, Sanjay reflects on what worked, what didn’t, and what he’d tell any young lawyer thinking of building something from scratch.

Mastering Money: Financial Strategies for Lawyers with Lawyers Financial!

In this episode of Legally Abroad, hosts Samantha Allan and Kim Gale sit down with Kathryn McKaye Pretty, an Insurance Advisor from Lawyers Financial, to explore the financial challenges faced by the legal community in Canada, particularly NCA students and internationally trained lawyers. Kathryn shares invaluable insights on managing student debt, the importance of financial literacy, and how tailored insurance and investment solutions can empower legal professionals to secure their futures. Lawyers Financial, formerly known as The Canadian Bar Insurance Association (CBIA), is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality insurance and investment products at competitive rates exclusively for the legal community. With over 40 years of experience, they offer a comprehensive suite of financial solutions, including life, health, and disability insurance, as well as investment options and pension plans, all tailored to meet the unique needs of lawyers, their families, and their firms. Whether you're a new graduate or an experienced lawyer, this episode offers practical advice to help you achieve financial wellness while navigating the unique demands of the legal profession. A big thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Osgoode Professional Development, a leader in lifelong learning for legal professionals; Lawyers Financial, offering comprehensive insurance and investment solutions for lawyers, and Emond Exam Prep, providing tailored study resources for Canadian legal exams!