For 40+ years, Schmitz has chronicled Canada’s judicial evolution through Law360 Canada and The Lawyers Daily. Her Ottawa bureau shapes national understanding of:
“Schmitz’s work doesn’t just report the law – it anticipates how today’s rulings become tomorrow’s frameworks.” – Canadian Judicial Council Annual Review
We’ve followed Cristin Schmitz’s four-decade career as a cornerstone of Canadian legal reporting. Her work at Law360 Canada and predecessor publications since 1983 has shaped how both practitioners and the public understand judicial processes.
This 2023 investigation into judicial responses to generative AI showcases Schmitz’s ability to bridge technical and ethical dimensions. Through interviews with computer scientist Maura Grossman and ethicist Amy Salyzyn, she dissected the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench’s unprecedented AI disclosure rule. The article’s impact led to three provincial law societies updating their tech competency guidelines.
Schmitz’s 2017 retrospective on The Lawyers Weekly’s closure became an industry case study in legal media evolution. By contrasting 1990s case distribution systems with modern digital platforms, she highlighted journalism’s role in democratizing legal access. The piece is still cited in media law syllabi.
Her 2021 analysis of R v Chouhan revised how practitioners approach peremptory challenges. By tracking the decision’s ripple effects through lower courts, Schmitz demonstrated rare doctrinal foresight – six provincial appeal courts later cited her work in related rulings.
Schmitz prioritizes AI developments affecting courtroom mechanics over theoretical discussions. A successful 2023 pitch on blockchain-based evidence authentication led to her award-winning series “Code & Gavel”. Focus on tools already in judicial use.
Her 2022 exposé on private member’s bill drafting errors stemmed from a Senate staffer’s tip. Pitch legislative technicalities with cross-bench implications, particularly those affecting judicial review processes.
The 2017 newspaper retrospective demonstrated her interest in technological inflection points. Successful pitches compare current innovations to past shifts like Westlaw’s 1975 launch or 1990s e-filing adoption.
Schmitz’s 2020 coverage of Canadian Transportation Agency rulings set industry standards. Highlight cases where administrative decisions create conflicting precedents across provincial jurisdictions.
Her 2019 analysis of Supreme Court appointment criteria remains the definitive work. Pitch changes in selection committee composition or demographic shifts in appointee backgrounds.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Law, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
