Heenan Blaikie was one of Canada's leading law firms that boasted 1,100 employees and once had two former prime ministers on its staff -- Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien. When it collapsed in February 2014, lawyers across Canada and the business community were stunned. What went wrong? Why did so many lawyers run for the exit? How did it implode? What is it that holds professional partnerships together?
This is the story of the rise and fall of a great company by the ultimate insider, Norman Bacal, who served as managing partner until a year before the firm's demise. Breakdown takes readers into the boardroom offices during the heady growth of a legal empire built from the ground up over 40 years. We see how after a change of leadership tensions erupted between the Toronto and Montreal offices, and between the hard-driving lawyers themselves. It is a story about the extraordinary fragility of the legal partnership, but it's also a classic business story, a cautionary tale of the perils of ignoring a firm's culture and vision.
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Breakdown: The Inside Story of the Rise and Fall of Heenan Blaikie

Business & Money

Bacal, Norman

Biography & History

Barlow Publishing

"A page-turning, pot-boiler of a read." -Robert Cooper, former president, HBO Pictures Odell Moore is a successful partner at one of Manhattan's leading law firms, an African-American all-star who manages teams of lawyers on the largest transactions in America. Odell's always played by the rules-until he falls for Dee, the daughter of a prominent Alabama senator. The two lovers elope, avoiding the censure of the senator who is deeply opposed to their mixed-race marriage. As the conflict between Odell and the senator deepens, the senator turns to Jackson Sherman, a family friend and Odell's trusted protégé, to cause a rift between his daughter and Odell. Driven by overwhelming ambition, Jackson will stop at nothing to become a partner. But things don't go according to Jackson's plan. A dead body is discovered in Odell's penthouse apartment, and Dee is severely injured. Two detectives are convinced that Odell is the culprit. But did he do it? Even Odell isn't certain. Odell descends into a personal hell that requires him to confront a secret from his past. With no shortage of suspects or plot twists, Odell's Fall will hold the reader rapt until the very last page. NORMAN BACAL is the Globe and Mail and Amazon.ca bestselling author of Breakdown, a memoir about the rise and fall of Heenan Blaikie, one of Canada's most prestigious law firms. Bacal was formerly managing partner of Heenan Blaikie and an expert in film and television finance (he sat on the board of directors of Lionsgate Entertainment for almost ten years and advised many Hollywood studios). Bacal also speaks regularly to university students and professionals. He is married to Sharon, a portrait artist. They have four children and five grandchildren.

Odell's Fall: A riveting crime thriller of love, jealousy, and deception with a shocking twist (Manhattan Murder Mysteries)

Literature & Fiction

Barlow Books

Accidental death or perfectly plotted murder? Tal Neilson is slowly losing his mind. He's convinced his dead father Geri has been murdered, but no one believes him. Geri's voice in his head is screaming for revenge. Is the voice real or a product of Tal's addiction? Can Tal ignore his widowed mother's attraction to Geri's business partner? At stake: Tal's legacy, a billion-dollar drug empire that Geri built and that his murderer is trying to steal. The only person Tal can trust is his lover Ophelia, except she harbors a secret tied to family obsession scaling three generations. Born to serve and protect Tal. Trained to kill. Sixty years connect two families from Nazi-occupied Denmark to modern Manhattan in an epic of love, deception, and sacrifice. You won't be able to put it down. Second in the Shakespeare Modern Mysteries. "Ophelia is a fast- paced international thriller, a winning tale from a strong new talent on the scene." -Robert Rotenberg, international bestselling author of Downfall "A new fascinating murder mystery from an exceptionally fine author!" -Grady Harp, Amazon top 50 reviewer "The characters are intriguing, the plot is thick and twisted, and the pages fly by in a blur."

Ophelia (Manhattan Murder Mysteries)

Contemporary

Transform your career by following a few simple steps\nPeople believe that it takes something very special to make it to the top as an entrepreneur or professional. But just as James Clear has proven in his groundbreaking book, on atomic habits, anyone can drive career success by focusing on a series of skills that develop confidence, trust and meaningful success.\nHow do you go from student, to young professional or start-up entrepreneur, to having more clients than you know how to handle? What are the skills you need to master? 
Bestselling author Norman Bacal has done it in his own career, from introverted student to one of the world's leading entertainment finance lawyers, to builder of a professional firm. He then took five years to boil down the steps of success into simple easy-to -read language. He also interviewed twenty other success stories, at various career stages, to show that there are simple hacks to developing the core skills that will make your career blossom: slaying the Perality beast 
the strategy of the job interview picking a workplace that fits your personality the key communication skills that build confidence and trust 
overcoming the fear holding you back the secrets of great waiters 
These changes will have a revolutionary effect on your career\n“Whether you are in college or just starting your career, this book is a roadmap to turbo charge your career." 
— Bill Carmody, TEDx Storyteller, Executive Coach and Bestselling Author of The Three Rules of Marriage\n“A thought-provoking, practical and insightful book loaded with ‘nuggets of gold’ to power your career forward.” 
—Barry Beloff, President, Inspiratum Executive Coaching\n“Advice and insights on the dynamics of practice that should be part and parcel of a professional education.” 
—Justice Lorne Sossin, former Dean, Osgoode Hall Law School

Take Charge: The Skills That Drive Professional Success

Job Hunting & Careers

Iguana Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bacal, Norman. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bacal, Norman

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bacal, Norman. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Breakdown: The Inside Story of the Rise and Fall of Heenan Blaikie

Odell's Fall: A riveting crime thriller of love, jealousy, and deception with a shocking twist (Manhattan Murder Mysteries)

Ophelia (Manhattan Murder Mysteries)

Take Charge: The Skills That Drive Professional Success