The Best Virtual Office For You

Working from the comforts of your home is definitely viable for legal professionals as it offers economic flexibility due to varied reasons. There is no commute, you get to stay in your pajamas, customize your environment, and are able to create a flexible schedule for yourself. One important shortcoming though, is the lack of a professional office space to meet clients, a registered business/corporate address, and space for storing away documents and/or items that are not needed immediately. Let’s face it, a home is a home and a workplace is a workplace. There is a certain limit to conducting business from your home. You will probably function optimally if you complete work assignments in designed workspaces, which have the resources to help you succeed in your area of legal practice.

Such a spaces exist in the heart of downtown Mississauga and downtown Oakville. Welcome to Wolf Law Chambers. This workspace has virtual offices to fulfill your professional needs and requirements. The benefits of renting a virtual office space at Wolf Law Chambers include accessibility to an elegant boardroom to seat and meet with your clients, a registered mailing address, clerk office spaces to use and complete your tasks, access to mail and courier services, a readily available printer for copying/faxing/scanning, and access to a private internet network. We also have diligent and reliable process servers whose services you can use, IT support for your practice, and office coordinators always available to help. Wolf Law Chambers is the perfect office space for legal professionals looking to operate from a virtual office, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Here at Wolf Law Chambers, we aim to provide legal professionals with all the tools they need to succeed. Our goal is to build a community of legal professionals that can work together in collaboration and grow together. Although the legal professionals operate under their own professional corporations, they are able to work in collaboration on matters which encompass their areas of expertise. We have marketing and content creating specialists who are able to write and publish articles in your area of practice. We are constantly looking to promote everyone within our community. We provide the best platform we possibly can to all of our members and want to see them grow in their practice at all times. We host onsite events, seminars, and CPD workshops with some of the industry’s leading professionals. At these events we leave the floor open for anyone from Wolf Law Chambers to share their experience and expertise in their field. We aim to give all members of our chambers as much exposure as possible.

In providing extensive support and promoting your practice, we want to see you flourish in your legal practice. Come and visit Wolf Law Chambers at 90 Matheson Blvd. E. in Mississauga and 277 Lakeshore Road East in Oakville and see how we can help you build your practice and provide a sustainable platform for you to thrive in your legal career.

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Learn How You Can Survive the Law Society Audit

Wow, what an amazing turnout on the eve of October 10th, 2019 at Wolf Law Chambers! We had Mark Dormer of Cosgrove give a very insightful presentation to our electric audience. It was a true success, so much so that we are hosting another in depth presentation on readying your practice for the Law Society audit in the early part of 2020. We host a variety of seminars, workshops and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives but the Law Society audit is one that touches base with all legal professionals. We have all gone through an audit by the Law Society or will be going through one in the near future. Instead of leaving things to the last moment and stressing yourself, the best approach is to ensure that you are complying with the outlined practice strategies for your area of practice from the beginning. This ensures that the proper processes for record keeping are already in place and excellent habits are developed. Thus, you will not only ‘survive’ the audit, you will thrive and excel in your legal practice.

Mark Dormer, owner and president of Cosgrove, possesses grassroots knowledge of law firm management and is able to transfer is effectively to legal professionals in all areas of practice. These techniques help improve profitability and guarantee that the fear of Law Society audits is alleviated. Marks Dormer suggests that in preparation for the audit, legal professionals should:

  • Develop processes for record keeping procedures that are compliant
  • Maintain those systems
  • Maintain up to date records
  • Be proactive

Instead of panicking and scrambling things last minute, doing the above will most definitely yield the right results for you. The keys for a successful audit and practice management established by Mark Dormer are financial and client record keeping.

For financial record keeping:

  • Record method of receipt for trust and general transactions (cheque, wire, etc.)
  • Record method of payment for trust and general transactions
  • Prepare a Form 9A for electronic transfers out of trust
  • Maintain valuable property record
  • Maintain cash receipts book
  • Maintain Referral Fee Journal

For client record keeping:

  • The client’s full name.
  • The client’s business address and business telephone number, if applicable.
  • If the client is an individual, the client’s home address and home telephone number.
  • If the client is an organization, the organization’s incorporation or business identification number and the place of issue of its incorporation or business identification number, if applicable.
  • If the client is an individual, the client’s occupation or occupations.
  • If the client is an organization, other than a financial institution, public body or company that is not a private company, the general nature of the type of business or businesses or activity or activities engaged in by the client, where applicable.
  • If the client is an organization, the name, position and contact information for those individuals authorized to give instructions with respect to the matter for which the licensee is retained.
  • If the client is acting for or representing a third party beneficiary or a principal, information about the beneficiary or principal as applicable.
  • Verification of identity when receiving, paying or transferring funds.    

It is clear that a successful audit requires for a legal professional to execute proper record keeping techniques that are in compliance with the Law Society’s code of conduct. Building the right habits from the initial stages of your practice will establish processes that allow for you to manage your practice with the highest efficiency. It is very much possible that an auditor may note down a few areas of concern despite your aim for perfection but that is nothing to be worried about. The auditor is only trying to HELP YOU! Take note and consideration of their recommendations and speak openly to them about how you can improve.

For future seminars, workshops, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, you are welcome to visit Wolf Law Chambers at 90 Matheson Blvd. W, Suite 101, in the heart of Mississauga. We aim to provide a shared workspace for legal professionals to flourish by equipping them with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Take Your Presentation Skills to the Next Level with These Tips and Tricks

Ever felt nervous while delivering a presentation in front of 5 people? How about 20? Perhaps a 100? What about 1000 or more? Because I surely have! We prepare countless hours to present in front of a crowd, speak in front of the mirror, create que cards, rehearse with and without them, and/or memorize our presentation but still end up losing confidence and getting nervous when the lights shine bright. It doesn’t have to be that way, since it is definitely within our power to change the way we perceive our audience and the way they perceive us. We are fully capable of conveying the message we want and addressing our crowd with glowing confidence each and every time we deliver a presentation. Doing so can surely generate the results we desire and steer us in a direction of accomplishing our aims when presenting.

Max Beaumont, founder of Potato Chip Communications, helps individuals with their public speaking and communication skills through coaching and consulting. His presentation on Presentation Skills for Lawyers was very insightful and thorough in advancing my awareness on how to become a better public speaker and communicate more effectively with my audiences. Throughout his findings, he has come up with a few concepts that are sure to enhance one’s presenting and public speaking abilities.

public speaking

Mindset

Max spoke on the importance of one’s mindset as a presenter. He said that in order to evoke confidence and energy, one has to focus on how they are helping their audience. This notion creates synergy between the audience and speaker, and your audience will pay attention to what you have to say because you are initiating a sense of care for them. In preparation for your presentation, it is essential that you constantly reflect on how you may be able to help your audience and convey this to them as well. This in turn reciprocates the same effect back and you are able to effectively communicate with your audience.

communicate with your audience

Body Language

In terms of communication, enough stress cannot be placed on the significance of body language. Max broke down the communication formula with words equating to 7%, tone equalling 38%, and body language being the highest totalling 55%. Our body language conveys more information about us than any other factor so we must pay attention to what we are ‘saying’ even though we may not say a word. Confidence through eye contact, gestures, posture, and your facial expressions will leave an everlasting impact on your audience and convey to them that you care and want to help them.

body language

Audience Interaction

Another critical approach to enhance audience interaction is the remembrance of names. According to Max, name memory involves the following:

  1. Have a Why
  2. Be Present
  3. Repeat Name Out Loud
  4. Repeat Name In Your Head

By doing so, you are getting members of your audience directly involved in the presentation and establishing a personal connection.

Direct engagement with your audience group also involves asking questions and addressing them by their name. These questions should be relevant to your topic and easy to answer. When asking a question, limit it to a response of a simple yes or no.

engage your audience

Simple & Relevant Messages

As Max outlined, “If you confuse people, you lose people”. Due to short attention spans, keeping people engaged in your presentation is extremely difficult if you do not keep things simple. Avoid jargon and unnecessary words, use relevant examples wherever you can, and above all, simplify the message best you can. There is a reason Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”.

keep it simple

Tone & Delivery

When presenting, be authentic and do not act as if you are a salesperson trying to sell something. Treat the presentation as a normal conversation with the audience. Be inclusive and use references your audience may know. This gains their attention and allows them to relate with you. This forms an understanding and when people sense that you understand them, they are inclined to listen to what you have to say. When addressing you audience, use familiar words and language that they are used to hearing.

Additionally, your tone is equally as important to delivering a powerful presentation. If you are monotone, your audience perceives you are boring, and they will probably disengage immediately. Genuine conversations have changes in pitch patterns and enable our audience to become more interested in our presentations. Your confidence and excitement is revealed through your tone and if you present yourself in such a manner, your audience will definitely feel it.

happy audience

See It In Action

Incorporate these techniques in your next presentation and I guarantee you will surprise yourself with the results you encounter. Are you still not sure about how you can apply these methods for yourself? Come and visit Wolf Law Chambers for a presentation and see how we implement these techniques to perfection. Come out to 90 Matheson Blvd. West, Suite 101 in the heart of Mississauga to tell us about yourself and learn a few strategies for your next presentation. We are hosting an in-depth seminar on what a Law Society of Ontario audit looks like and how you can prepare your practice to be audit ready. We welcome you to RSVP for our Surviving the Audit event taking place on October 10th, 2019 from 6-8 p.m.

-Narvir Goindi

Practising Law with a Passion

Can we attain a fulfilled existence by helping others? The approach may not resonate with everyone. But for Rick Rye, fulfillment is not elusive when he’s directly involved in changing people’s lives. Family law, considered one of the most complicated branches of law, is the major practice area for Rick Rye. As the principal legal representative at his very own law firm ‘Rye Law Firm’, Rick Rye deals with complicated family issues on a daily basis. Rick Rye’s practice isn’t just limited to family law, he has over a decade of experience in all matters pertaining to immigration law and refugee protection. The extensive exposure to human turmoil may be taxing for some but for Rick Rye seeking a solution to his client’s dilemma is a rewarding experience.

Educational Background

Rick Rye acquired his Law Degree from the University of Leicester and was presented with the ‘LinkLaters’ Business Law award before graduating. Rick was called to the bar 2011 and from there he went on to become a member of the Law Society of Ontario, with which he is still active to date.

Why become a Family lawyer?

After finishing his studies, Rick decided to intern as a legal assistant at a major law firm in Toronto. During his time at the firm, Rick was introduced to a whole new world of real issues rooted in serious human problems. This exposure gave Rick a brand-new perspective on the meaning of compassion. At that point Rick realized that he can choose to pursue a legal profession where he seeks to help other people out, and he did.

Once Rick discovered his passion, he joined the Law office of Adela Crossley as an articling student and shortly after he was rewarded with a position as an Associate Lawyer. Rick Rye continued to work with Adela Crossley, as well as in-house counsel for one of Canada’s largest Agricultural Corporations, generating substantial expertise in Family and Immigration Law. After gaining this valuable experience, Rick Rye recently decided to branch out and start his own firm; Rye Law Firm, which specializes in Family and Immigration Law. Wolf Law Chambers assisted Rick with this transition.

Professional History

Personally, Rick believes in broadening his horizons career wise and likes to employ law diversity in his practice. His long list of work experiences also includes working for a Business firm where he acted as an in-house counsel for one of Canada’s largest agricultural corporations. The diverse legal background Rick Rye has acquired over the years working with both impoverished demographics and major corporations has allowed him to assist clients from all walks of life.

Personal Ideology

According to Rick Rye the idea of dealing with only clerical-based communication without any deeper sense of satisfaction out of work life is not gratifying in any way. Early on in his career, Rick realized he has an innate ability to empathize with the pain and emotions of others and finding solutions to their problems is what drives him in life.

So far Rick has proved to be instrumental in changing numerous lives for the better.  Whether its people fleeing from persecution in Africa, Jamaica, Mexico, or an individual looking to escape their prison of abuse at their own home.  For Rick, the work he has done is an achievement more fulfilling than any monetary gains.

I like problem solving, especially human problems and I want to stay away from fake interactions.

Rick Rye

Future

Rick believes Canada is a great nation and being a citizen of this remarkable country has been a privilege for him. Dealing with other people’s problems has given Rick more appreciation for his own life and it has increased his sense of duty to help the less fortunate. This sense of honour as a lawyer is one of the main reasons why Rick Rye wants to keep working on the ground, as a Family and Immigration law practitioner.

As a lawyer the juxtaposition between serving humanity and finding systematic solutions can be tricky if not carried out efficiently. Rick feels he is at that point in his life where years of legal experience have given him the ability to deal with circumstances and derive favorable results without personalizing the situation.