The International Bar Association Conference coincides with Polar Bear Week this year. Professionally, I’m allied with the former; personally, I’m passionate about the latter. Lawyers and polar bears — yes, there’s probably a joke in there somewhere.
November 2, 2025 kicks off a big week for me both professionally and personally.
Professionally, I’m speaking at The High Tide on what the twin juggernauts of artificial intelligence and pricing compounded by continuing transience within the legal service sector’s workforce means for traditionally structured law firms and how they need to adapt, as well as what non-traditional legal services providers do differently that enables them to better accommodate industry-altering change.
The High Tide is a full-day master class for legal services business development professionals from around the world who are attending the International Bar Association Conference that runs until November 8 in Toronto.
Personally, it’s the start of Polar Bear Week that runs from November 2 to 8. An initiative of Polar Bears International, this annual event highlights challenges affecting polar bears in a warming Arctic.
The team at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, the world’s only non-profit organization providing sanctuary to polar bears in need of human care, has planned a week-long roster of special activities. I’m privileged to be their pro bono markets advisor.
The Habitat’s Polar Bear Week activities kick off with a Pumpkin Party where resident polar bears, Ganuk and Henry, receive a 1,400 pound pumpkin. If you think that’s serious poundage, consider that each bear weighs slightly less than this oversize squash. Also, because the bears come complete with teeth and claws — and love eating pumpkin — this gourd, while giant, doesn’t stand a chance. Watch this event live at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Lawyers professionally; polar bears personally. This is my portfolio approach to living a more flexible and fabulous life in work and at play.
Join me for either, learn lots, and have fun with both.
Heather Suttie is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on legal market strategy and management of legal services firms.
Since 1998, she has advised leaders of premier law firms and legal service providers — Global to Solo | BigLaw to NewLaw — on innovative growth strategies pertaining to business, markets, management, and clients. The result is creation of new value and accelerated performance achieved through a distinctive one of one legal market position and sustained competitive advantage leading to greater market share, revenue, and profits.
Heather writes on these issues at heathersuttie.ca and can be reached at heather@heathersuttie.ca