The consultation process begins with a brief chat on the phone, free of charge, to assess whether I am the right lawyer for you. This "chat" takes place with my clerk, Chris Wright, or with me. If we decide to proceed, you will come to my office for a 1½ - 2 hour consultation. It is important to me that I offer consultations that are cost effective for my clients. For this reason, I ask you to help me help you by preparing for the consultation according to my instructions, which I have refined over my more than 30 years of practice. In almost all cases I give you my legal opinion at the end of the consultation; your preparation and organization allow me to give you as detailed an opinion as possible. I normally take complex cases and appeals that involve a parent attempting to maintain a meaningful relationship with his/her children. I welcome legally complex family law cases, even if children are not involved. I do not do uncontested divorces. This page applies to Ontario cases only.
STEP ONE: THE BASICS
Why have a consultation?
A consultation with an experienced family law lawyer will help you assess your legal situation. What is the best approach to achieve your goals? What sort of creative strategy might you use? You need to make an informed decision in order to move forward. The consultation will hope you do just that.
Length:
The consultation usually lasts from 1.5 hours to 2 hours. I do not normally charge extra if I take a little longer than estimated.
Payment methods:
I accept cash or bank draft for consultations. (If I become your lawyer, then I thereafter accept personal cheques.)
Availability:
I am available for consultations Monday-Friday during normal business hours. I may be able to schedule meetings at other times if I become your lawyer.
Contact:
You can contact me online or call me at 1-888-389-3099. It is helpful if you first send in a brief summary of the issues in your case.
STEP TWO: PREPARATION
What to bring:
You need to arrange your file and to accomplish that task you will need to gather together the documents you have. Unless you are 100% certain that your file is totally complete, it will likely be advantageous to attend at the court office to ensure that your file is indeed complete.
Continuing Record:
I will want to review what is in the court file. This is usually a red coloured book (or series of books) that includes pleadings, affidavits and financial statements. Go to the court office with your documents so you can compare what you have with what the court has. There is also a yellow covered book called "Endorsements". In that book at the front there will be a Table of Contents. Take a copy. Now organize your documents and number the pages exactly as per the court version. If you are missing anything (other than affidavits of service), have copies made and insert them into their proper place. It is especially important that you also copy all orders and endorsements (from the yellow covered Endorsements volume). With the complete record as set in the court file, I will be better able to understand the issues in your case and give you a better opinion as to the next steps to be taken in your case.
Of course, if a court case has not yet started, then there is no Continuing Record to consider.
Other documents:
There could be other important documents that you may have that are not in the continuing record. Please bring all:
- Case/Settlement/Trial Management Conference Briefs;
- Correspondence (letters and e-mails) arranged by date in chronological order. A 3-ring binder would be helpful;
- Other relevant documents (such as real estate valuations, corporate financial statements, etc.)
Summary/Chronology:
Please list the major issues and events in your case in chronological order. Bring a paper and digital copy. A clear and concise summary of your case enables us to more quickly move to the planning of a winning strategy for your case. It also frees up more time for us to talk more thoroughly concerning your key issues and challenges. All of this helps me to render better assistance to you during the consultation process.
If step two is too overwhelming, I can help. If you wish, I will send my Law Clerk (at his or her normal hourly rate) to the court office and/or to your home to help you assemble the documents.
WHO ATTENDS THE CONSULTATION AND WHAT DO YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY?
My law clerk, Chris Wright, provides invaluable assistance at the consultation. He sits before a computer and takes detailed notes. He is especially careful to record the advice and strategy that I offer. Normally, within 24 to 48 hours after our meeting, Mr. Wright sends to you a detailed memorandum of the meeting. You will see the facts summarized and the advice given - all clearly set out and well organized.
You may bring with you a trusted friend or family member. But do remember that such a person is not covered by the solicitor-client privilege rule and therefore, that person could theoretically be compelled to give evidence by the opposing lawyer as to what transpired during the consultation.
MORE INFORMATION
You may call my law clerk, Chris Wright, to obtain more information with respect to the consultation process or contact us via our online form.
If you would like to learn more about my expertise, click here.
