Feb 5, 2021
On today’s episode, you hosts Brenda Agnew, Jordan Assaraf and Charles Gluckstein welcome Derek Nicholson who shares specific aspects of what it means to be a civil trial lawyer as well as lots of interesting and fun stories about his career, life, and hobbies.
Derek Nicholson has been one of Ottawa’s leading civil trial lawyers since 1980. In his early years of practice, he focused on defense insurance work and represented several major insurance companies including Chubb Insurance and Royal Insurance. He has also represented many high-profile clients including the Attorney General of Canada in a trial against Boeing USA, CJOH -TV and Blue Line Taxi.
In the last forty years, he has focused on Personal Injury work, especially in catastrophic injury victims. With Derek as a key member of Gluckstein Lawyers and lead lawyer of our new Ottawa location: Nicholson Gluckstein Lawyers continues to take on the most complex personal injury claims throughout Ontario. His approach and focus are on helping injured victims recover. He has guided hundreds of plaintiffs through recovery by assisting in maximizing rehabilitation benefits and supporting victims to restructure their lives.
Although he now exclusively represents plaintiffs against insurance companies, it is of great value that he represented insurance companies in the early years to obtain insight to assist plaintiffs today.
Key Takeaways:
[3:20] Derek talks about his special sign.
[4:54] Derek shares how he became a member of the Gluckstein family.
[9:18] Derek talks about how he got into the legal field.
[10:41] What are Derek’s areas of expertise?
[15:47] Derek is the founder of the Ottawa location named Nicholson Gluckstein Lawyers.
[16:42] Derek shares a story about his daughter.
[19:27] What is involved in being a trial lawyer? How can a young lawyer become a trial lawyer?
[21:54] What are Derek’s thoughts about going on virtual trials?
[24:55] Derek shares his thoughts about the connection piece in virtual trials.
[27:12] Derek shares a story of a trial involving the virtual presence of an expert.
[28:30] Will virtual trials continue even after COVID?
[33:01] Derek talks about his passion for music.
[37:18] Derek tells a true story about how he combines his love for music with his life as a lawyer.
[42:01] Derek confesses he loves to cook!
[42:37] Derek shares some memorable stories.
[46:45] Derek continues to share his experiences in relation to music.
[49:14] Derek shares a lovely story about one of his daughters.
[50:05] Is the legal landscape any different in the Ottawa community compared to the Toronto community?
[57:45] “This or that” round of questions with Derek Nicholson.
Mentioned in this episode:
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