Author Archives: Anita Szigeti

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About Anita Szigeti

• Called to the Bar (1992) • U of T Law grad (1990) • Sole practitioner (33 years) • Partner in small law firm (Hiltz Szigeti) 2002 - 2013 • Mom to two astonishing kids, Scarlett (20+) and Sebastian (20-) • (Founding) Chair of Mental Health Legal Committee for ten years (1997 to 2007) * Founding President of Law and Mental Disorder Association - LAMDA since 2017 * Founder and Secretary to Women in Canadian Criminal Defence - WiCCD - since 2022 • Counsel to clients with serious mental health issues before administrative tribunals and on appeals • Former Chair, current member of LAO’s mental health law advisory committee • Educator, lecturer, widely published author (including 5 text books on consent and capacity law, Canadian civil mental health law, the criminal law of mental disorder, a law school casebook and a massive Anthology on all things mental health and the law) • Thirty+ years’ experience as counsel to almost exclusively legally aided clients • Frequently appointed amicus curiae • Fearless advocate • Not entirely humourless

New Job with Anita Szigeti Advocates starting mid-August 2020

Anita Szigeti Advocates is hiring an articling student starting mid-August.  The firm specializes in mental health law.  Currently an all-woman firm consisting of Anita, a junior associate and articling student, there are also a number of summer interns working on … Continue reading

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Peel Police Shot and Killed A Person in Crisis in 2008 – What Has Changed Since?

The more things change, the more they stay the same. This Globe and Mail article is from December 23, 2008!! (And yes, from the basement) The problem is it’s identical to the news coverage now of the Peel police shooting … Continue reading

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A Walk Down Memory Lane – Inauspicious Beginnings to my Legal Career

Here is a little bit of history on my first attempts at practising law on my own.Circa 1994. Decided to open a sole practice from my tiny rented apartment off Trinity Bellwoods. Advertised in the first edition of the Outrider … Continue reading

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New for 2021 Edition of Guide to Consent and Capacity Law in Ontario drops July 31 2020 also!

Also on July 31, our latest Consent and Capacity Guide will be ready for prime time. The new release has a fresh revamped look and brand new commentary on the Board’s New Rules of Practice. This year’s updates amount to … Continue reading

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A Guide to Mental Disorder Law in Canadian Criminal Justice

This textbook I’ve been meaning to write for almost 20 years is now headed to the printers. It will drop July 31. Meaghan McMahon and Jill Presser made the ride especially fun. This is my best work. If you are … Continue reading

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Two New Text Books Share a Publication date – July 31 2020 is the BIG DAY!

Pretty excited about July 31. On that date, for the first ever time, I will have two new books released. I’ve spent the last six months researching, writing and editing, updating and thinking about all aspects of mental health law … Continue reading

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Anita Appears on The Global Daily Podcast “Wait, There’s More” with Tamara Khandaker June 26, 2020

I was privileged to appear on this episode: “Why People Are Getting Killed By Cops During Mental Health Crises” of Global’s Daily Podcast: Wait, There’s More today.My message has consistently been that defunding police must not be about giving that … Continue reading

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June 2, 2020 is a Banner Day for Anita Szigeti Advocates with Two appeals in the Court of Appeal, “Courtroom 2” during COVID

Very proud of Maya Kotob who totally nailed her first outing in the Court of Appeal on Tuesday June 2, 2020. Not bad for not quite 2 years at the bar! It was our first appearance by video and it … Continue reading

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Remembering Black and Indigenous People Killed by Police in Canada

I’ve been counsel to the Empowerment Council intervening in many of the Inquests into these deaths. This is a sobering and tragic compilation. Say their names. Remembering 27 Black, Indigenous, and racialized people killed by Canadian police

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Podcasts about Being a Mental Health Lawyer or Advocate – the Great Kathy Flaherty speaks

And here is a bit of me too I was honoured to record a podcast in the “Of Counsel” Series of the amazing @SeanRobichaud here: https://lnkd.in/g7iYPra I was reminded of this when I heard Kathy Flaherty’s compelling interview that you … Continue reading

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