The Canadian legal profession is on the cusp of a transformation, driven by unprecedented technological advancements and evolving client needs.
In this dynamic environment, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch™ in Canada honorees represent the future of the legal profession—emerging leaders already making an impact in their respective fields.
This article builds on the insights shared in our earlier piece, "2025 Best Lawyers Awards Canada: 19th Edition", which highlighted key trends in this year's edition.
As we mark the December 13 release of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ publication, we turn our focus to these emerging professionals, exploring their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the legal profession.
This feature highlights Administrative and Public Law and Corporate Law, two of Canada’s fastest-growing practice areas, as identified in the 2025 awards. These fields reflect the increasing demand for expertise in navigating complex regulations and cross-border transactions, key drivers of change in Canada’s legal landscape.
Through conversations with Sari Feferman, a recognized name in Administrative and Public Law and Health Care Law in Toronto and Konstantino Dean Psycharis, an established figure in Corporate Law in Montréal, we delve into both broad trends and practice-specific insights that paint a vivid picture of what lies ahead.
Broad Trends in the Canadian Legal Industry
As Canada’s legal profession navigates a period of rapid change, both honorees from Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada point to two pivotal forces shaping the field: technological advancements and evolving client demands.
Artificial intelligence continues to redefine how lawyers approach critical tasks such as research, drafting and case preparation.
Psycharis emphasized that technology has already transformed communication and collaboration, allowing professionals to operate on a global scale with ease. He added that embracing AI and other emerging tools will be essential for legal professionals to remain competitive in the years ahead.
The pandemic also marked a turning point, fundamentally altering traditional workflows and professional interactions. Feferman reflected on how these changes prompted a rethinking of how lawyers engage with clients, colleagues, judges and decision-makers. "We have to rethink the way the legal profession will continue to evolve," she observed, highlighting the need for adaptability.
Meanwhile, shifting client expectations are driving a push for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness, particularly in response to the expansion of mid-market clients. Psycharis noted that legal professionals must now be “efficient, nimble and cost-effective,” a stark departure from the profession’s traditional methods of service delivery.
These trends highlight a profession in transition, where innovation and adaptability are no longer optional but integral to meeting the needs of a complex and rapidly evolving legal environment.
The Future of Administrative and Public Law
In the area of Administrative and Public Law, Feferman identified a growing emphasis on transparency and accountability, particularly in administrative health law. This shift is exemplified by regulatory bodies actively monitoring professional conduct on social media to protect public trust.
“For example, we are seeing regulatory bodies take an active role in regulating the way health professionals share opinions and information on social media,” she explained. These measures aim to protect public trust and ensure accurate and ethical communication in increasingly digital spaces.
Beyond digital communications, this growing demand for transparency extends to broader areas of public administration.
Legal professionals in this field are increasingly called upon to navigate complex regulatory frameworks, from aligning healthcare policy reforms with public interests to addressing the rise of data privacy concerns in government operations.
These challenges highlight the evolving responsibilities of lawyers in maintaining accountability and public confidence in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
The Future of Corporate Law
Corporate Law in Canada is undergoing significant transformation, driven by globalization and the increasing complexities of corporate governance. Psycharis shared his perspective on how these changes are influencing the field.
“With the rise in cross-border transactions, lawyers are forging partnerships with international firms or associations to better serve their clients abroad,” he noted.
He highlighted the harmonization of laws and education programs, such as JD/LLB dual degrees, as critical tools for addressing the growing demand for multi-jurisdictional expertise.
Psycharis further emphasized that “deals abroad have become as simple to conduct as deals locally,” attributing this ease to advancements in technology and collaborative practices.
He predicted a continued rise in multi-office practices, mobility-friendly regulations and tools designed to streamline processes like due diligence and corporate governance. These shifts are poised to make corporate law practices in Canada more seamless and globally integrated.
These insights illustrate a field adapting to meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected world. As globalization accelerates, the role of corporate lawyers will evolve to address new challenges and opportunities in managing complex international transactions and regulatory requirements.
Connecting Themes: Leadership and Adaptability
The insights from Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada honorees offer a glimpse into how Canada’s legal profession is evolving to meet contemporary challenges. These emerging leaders are not just adapting to change—they are shaping it.
Their reflections highlight a legal profession that is becoming more dynamic, interconnected and technologically driven. These changes, while specific to their practice areas, also reflect broader trends reshaping the profession at large.
For example, the rise of AI and digital tools in legal research or cross-border deal-making isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about redefining how lawyers collaborate and deliver value in a globalized world.
At the same time, increasing demands for transparency and accountability—whether in public administration or corporate governance—signal a heightened expectation for lawyers to act as stewards of trust and integrity. These values are more critical than ever in a rapidly changing and often unpredictable landscape.
By integrating their specialized expertise with a forward-thinking mindset, honorees like Feferman and Psycharis exemplify the qualities needed to navigate these shifts. They are not only responding to change but actively setting the standards for what Canadian law will look like in the years to come.
Looking Ahead: The Path Forward for Canadian Law
The future of Canadian law is being shaped by the insights and leadership of honorees like Feferman and Psycharis. Their perspectives on technology, globalization and accountability highlight the dynamic changes redefining the legal profession.
As Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada honorees, they exemplify the innovation and adaptability needed to navigate these challenges and opportunities, setting a standard for the next generation of legal professionals.
The 2025 Best Lawyers in Canada publication will be released on December 13 and featured in the Calgary Herald, Montreal Gazette and several National Post editions, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, GTA, Ottawa and Montreal, as well as online.
Be sure to explore this comprehensive guide to discover more about the exceptional talent shaping the future of Canadian law.
