Mr. Ted Rachlin

Theodore Rachlin, born in 1933 in Toronto to Jewish immigrant parents who operated a clothing business in Acton, Ontario, provides a comprehensive overview of his legal career and leadership role in The Advocates’ Society. Raised in small-town Ontario, Rachlin moved to Toronto for high school in Forest Hill, then attended University of Toronto for both undergraduate studies and law school. After articling with the prestigious Levinter, Grossberg firm, he developed expertise in personal injury litigation and eventually established his own successful practice in 1970, later partnering with Herbert Wolfson.

As President of The Advocates’ Society from 1981-1982, Rachlin focused on educational reform and professional development, establishing several key initiatives including The Advocates’ Society Journal, the Williston Prize in Advocacy, and expanded educational programming. He played a crucial role in fighting proposed no-fault insurance legislation throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and was instrumental in developing Ontario’s legal specialization certification program, which was adopted by the Law Society in 1985.

The interview reveals Rachlin’s significant involvement in American legal circles through the American Trial Lawyers Association, his expertise in complex medical malpractice cases, and his commitment to advancing advocacy training. His career exemplifies the evolution of personal injury practice in Ontario, from the pre-no fault era through major legislative changes, while demonstrating the important role of professional organizations in shaping legal education and practice standards.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.