LAW – Page 8 – Wolf Law Chambers

Post Offices vs. Virtual Mailboxes

Many lawyers and law firms have discovered that physical offices aren’t necessary. There are two popular options when it comes to creating your business address without a designated office. Virtual mailboxes and P.O boxes are both great ways to manage your mail. However, they do have some differences. Read on to see which option will fit you and your company best.

Differences between Virtual Mailboxes and P.O Boxes

P.O boxes are something we have all seen in our local post offices. They are physical locked mailboxes where tangible mail is delivered. People commonly use P.O boxes to keep their home addresses private.

Virtual mailboxes use a real street address that receives mail on behalf of your company virtually.

Virtual Mailboxes

When it comes to reputability virtual mail boxes give your company a real street address. Each street address is linked to a familiar commercial building in your area. This will make your company come off as reliable, credible and professional.

Virtual mailboxes are fully digital. This means you do not need to leave your house in order to pick up your mail or go through address changes in the case of a move. While virtual mailboxes are digital, you are still able to have letter mail forwarded to your home address.

With virtual mailboxes you don’t just rent a mailbox, you are paying for a service. This service can include many perks some of which may include; virtual receptionists, mail management and office spaces to work from. These perks can be a real asset when it comes to meetings and business management.

P.O Boxes

P.O Boxes do not give your company a real street address. Any clients, partners or potential business partners will see that you have a P.O box rather than a “physical” location. This can come off as unprofessional and less reliable.

P.O Boxes are just a box in a post office. This means that unlike a virtual mailbox you are not able to use a professional space for meetings. The two perks that come with a P.O box are simply that they are locked boxes and that they keep your home address hidden.

When it comes to business needs such as bank accounts, taxes and certain courier arrangements P.O boxes may not work out. Most banks require your business address to be a street address rather than a P.O box. Certain couriers are unable to do drop offs in some P.O box locations. Which can interfere with the efficiency of package pick ups and drop offs.

Simply put virtual mailboxes offer more benefits than P.O boxes when it comes to having a remote business. They are convenient, practical and much more useful when it comes to business requirements.

At Wolf Law Chambers we are here to help you with your work/life balance, professional image and human interaction. We offer one-day offices, conference rooms, and executive offices that are fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville, and Mississauga.

Wolf Law Chambers Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.

Visit our website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.

Office Pet Etiquette

We are in a new era, animals are becoming more and more common in the corporate world. Especially dogs. Who doesn’t love a dog? They boost everyone’s mood and create a happy environment even on the most dreadful work day.

With that being said not all pups are office ready. Every employer and shared workspace have their own set rules regarding bringing dogs into the office. If your workplace allows pups in the office, make sure you follow these rules of etiquette to maintain a professional work environment.

Ask Coworkers First

Even if you work in a pet friendly office, making sure that your coworkers are comfortable is important. Most people love dogs. However, some people have allergies or bad experiences with dogs that can make them feel uncomfortable around dogs. Checking with your coworkers is the best way to make everyone feel comfortable with your new office buddy.

Frequent Potty Breaks

Make sure to have a plan for potty breaks. Your dog will likely eat/drink more since they are out of their comfort zone. The best way to make for less messes or interruptions is to create a schedule to take your dog out for a quick walk.

Get Their Energy Out

To keep your workspace professional, try and get your dog’s energy out before you get into the office. Go for a run, play with a ball or play tug-o-war. Anything to get that energy level down. You want your pup to be calm and relaxed while in the office, so they don’t disturb you or your coworkers while you’re busy.

Make Sure Your Dog is Comfortable in the Office

You know your dog best. If your pup isn’t good with small spaces, barks when they see their own shadow, is uncomfortable around strangers or possibly a biter you will want to keep them at home. The best way to test this theory is by creating an office-like space in your home and seeing how your dog handles it.

Pet Proof Your Office

Just like baby proofing, our four-legged furry friends will likely need a bit of pet proofing. Do you have a chewer? Make sure you don’t have miscellaneous cords hanging around or notes that they may think look tasty. Do you like to leave your door open? You can pick up a baby gate for a good price on Facebook Marketplace or at Walmart. Are you a bit nervous about an accident? Bring some pee pads. It’s better to be safe than sorry. All of our dogs are different and have different needs. Just keep your dog’s needs in mind.

Bring the Necessities

If your dog has a bed, favourite blanket or toys bring them over to the office so they feel comfortable and stay occupied. Make sure you bring enough dog food for the day and keep their water bowl fresh. Being well prepared will help keep your dog on their best behaviour.

Have a Back Up Plan

If your dog is having an off day, as we all do. Make sure to have a set plan for that possibility. Can you take your dog back to your home? Do you need a doggysitter or doggy daycare? Its best to have a plan in place for those ‘what if’ moments.

Bringing your furry friend to the office can have great benefits for you, them and the overall morale in the office. Just be sure to be courteous of the others around you and to be fully prepared for any and all doggy related possibilities.

At Wolf Law Chambers we offer one-day offices, conference rooms, and executive offices that are fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville, and Mississauga.

Visit our website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.

4 Signs You Need a Private Office

Working from home sounds great. You can do your work, get some chores done, cook dinner, keep your dog entertained, the list of possibilities is endless.

Eventually lines can get blurred. Work takes the back seat to all of the other distractions you have in your home. Meetings seem impossible and the only daily interaction you have is with your pets. It can go from this great option to a really difficult one pretty quickly.

Here are 4 signs that you need to get back into a private office.

You Are Getting Easily Distracted at Home

Being able to work from home sounds like the best of both worlds. Unless you are easily distracted. You have the option to fold laundry, watch a show or make snacks. Before you know it you have no time left in your day for your work. Your productivity is at an all time low. If this sounds like you, a shared workspace with a private office could be an amazing option.

You Crave Human Interaction

Working from home can get lonely. The office banter, collaborating on ideas or just a simple “hello” in the lunchroom means more than you originally thought. Sure some people can get on your nerves but in the grand scheme of things, being around like minded individuals helps elevate your mood and productivity. Joining a shared workspace will create a community of passionate,career driven people in similar careers.

You Need A Professional Image

Meeting potential clients at home or in a coffee shop doesn’t feel like a professional option. Having a space dedicated to your business with a professional business address, private office space, waiting areas and boardrooms can really boost your image.

You Need A Better Work/Life Balance

This goes hand and hand with distractions. Some people find themselves doing too much housework while working from home. Others find themselves working non-stop. Both of these things can create a stressful environment. Home doesn’t feel like home anymore, or work seems pointless. Being able to get out of the house and go to the office gives you a sense of structure. The benefit of renting your own space is that you don’t need to do a strict 9-5. You can go to your office part time and choose your own hours.

Working from home sounds easy. Roll out of bed, put on your slippers and hop on the couch with your laptop and cases to review. But, it’s not always all what it’s cracked up to be.

Visit our website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.

Shared Workspaces and How They Benefit Mental Health

Mental health is an important issue. One that should be taken quite seriously when it comes to
working and your work environment.

Due to COVID-19 working from home became very common. Even now in our post-COVID
society, many employers have their employees work remotely. While it has proved to boost
productivity, time management, and work/life balance for some. For others working remotely
has taken a toll on both their productivity and their mental health.

Shared workspaces spaces such as Wolf Law Chambers offer a great solution for
lawyers, paralegals and mediators companies that may find it hard to make connections and interactions due to the isolation of working remotely.

Using facilities such as ours can prevent loneliness. Working in isolation all day, every day can be draining. While working in a shared space you may not be part of the same company/team,
but you are able to have friendly interaction with a people in the common areas. This can bring joy to your day and reduce stress.

Stress and anxiety naturally occur when you are lonely. Going hours on end without speaking to
another person, overworking yourself, or stressing about deadlines can really get to you. In a
shared workspace environment you have the chance to interact, and you can even
run ideas or worries by like-minded individuals in similar fields. This creates a sense of
community that will ease your mind.

While working from home is good for some employees’ work/life balance. Others find it
increasingly hard to split time between the two. In some cases working from home means you
are either unproductive due to the distracting things around you or you overwork yourself due to
the fact that you are only 10 feet away from your desk at all times. Being able to “clock in and
clock out” can help some employees that feel as though their home is no longer their home, but
a stressful work environment. Working in an office can also provide peace and quiet with limited
distractions that one may need in order to complete their work.

A shared workspace where individuals can interact with each other, share
their ideas, and communicate their stresses will help improve their mental health. These
employees will feel more willing to come to work, they will take fewer sick days, as well as be
able to create friendships where they can bounce ideas around. The problems that they may
have faced while working alone will be easier to handle when they are around others. Shared
workspaces like Wolf Law Chambers can be a great solution, that give multiple benefits to someone’s mental health.

Wolf Law Chambers offers one-day offices, conference rooms, and executive offices that are
fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville, and Mississauga. Visit our
website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.

Wolf Law Chambers Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can
focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range
of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.

The Best Gifts for Law Students

Law students are often important contributors to a lawyer’s overall success and the success of his or her practice. Law students are busy, constantly moving and often a little stressed because of the countless hours they put into the work that is fundamental to the services the lawyer provides.

This year, you may be thinking of giving a dedicated hard working law student in your firm a gift showing your gratitude. The perfect gift will be something that can help ease their stress or help them in their future career.

To make your holiday shopping a little bit easier, we have created a small list that contains useful gadgets and stress relievers.

Meal Kits

In a world where you feel like you work 24/7, having the time to come up with and cook a good meal can be hard. Nowadays we have amazing meal kits such as Chefs Plate, HelloFresh and Goodfood. This will make home cooking faster and more convenient for the busy law student in your life. They can say goodbye to late night McDonalds runs and hello to a nutritious and comforting meal.

You are able to purchase gifts cards online and in local stores such as Walmart or Shoppers Drug Mart.

Temperature Controlled Mugs and Coasters

Long days and longer nights have one major thing in common. Cold coffee. Let’s face it things are busy enough on an average day let alone if you have a mountain of cases to sift through. Temperature controlled mugs and coasters will make sure they get the perfect, hot sip everytime.

Salt Therapy and Self Massagers

Self care and stress release are important for students’ mental and physical health. With the limited amount of time they have in a day, known stress relievers can be hard to make time for. There are two easily accessible stress relievers that make for great gifts. For mental health a simple salt lamp can bring a calm and relaxing aura to any room. For physical health a hand held massager can work wonders on the built up knots from working at a desk all day.

Noise Canceling Headphones

Focusing can be hard, especially in a communal living situation. Roommates try their best to be quiet while everyones studying but a simple clink of a pan or a TV that is a bit too loud can be really distracting. Noise canceling headphones are perfect for the law student in your life that just can’t catch a break when it comes to distractions.

A Briefcase

A monumental gift for every law student is their first real leather briefcase. These are both practical and sentimental. You can find unique styles, add monograms & lettering. The possibilities are endless when it comes to customization.

Gag gifts can bring a few laughs upon opening. Sentimental, useful and stress relieving gifts make the gift receiver feel cared for, acknowledged and appreciated. Gifts like these that show thought and a deeper meaning are always a winner!

The law student on your team is an integral part of a smooth sailing firm. Giving them recognition and appreciation during the holiday season is important. Sentimental, useful and stress relieving gifts such as the ones listed above is a sure fire way to acknowledge their efforts.

While the thought of losing your law student once their post secondary education is complete. They may need a new space to call home once they graduate. Wolf Law Chambers offers one-day offices, conference rooms and executive offices that are fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville and Mississauga. Visit our website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.

Wolf Law Chambers Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can

focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range

of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.

Why Do You Need a Private Law Office

The legal profession is a challenging one. There is no doubt about that. It is knowing the law precisely, the legal nuances, and the strategies that determine our clients' success.

However, none of that can be accomplished if you don't feel comfortable in your working space. It is sometimes necessary to feel a sense of privacy, control, and peace at the same time. It is because of these reasons that private office spaces are a great choice for legal practitioners since they offer both privacy and comfort when working on cases and brainstorming ideas. It is the best way to boost your productivity.

Would you like to know more about the advantages of working in a private space?

It is a Peaceful Space for You

Certainly, if you're a one-person firm, it might be easier for you to work from home so that you can spend more time with family or maybe to enjoy the buzzing background sound of a busy café where no one pays you attention and earbuds let you tune out everyone.

In some cases, however, focusing fully on a case without interruptions is necessary, especially if it is a challenging case with many complexities.

Unplugging from all distractions may be the most effective solution. A private office can provide you with the peace and quiet you need to find the focus and productivity to work on your cases.

Your Deadlines Can Be Managed Better

In some cases, you may have been overloaded with clients, others may have lasted longer than expected, or you may just have needed more time to complete a matter.

In these situations, you cannot afford to be distracted when meeting deadlines, since each case is different. Therefore, as we mentioned before, your office space should be calming, peaceful, and comfortable, and provide you with everything you need to improve your concentration and work rhythm. The benefits of a private office space include private internet access, electronic notifications, live receipt and electronic notification of clients and packages.

Boardroom-Toronto — Wolf Law Chambers Toronto Boardroom

You Need a Private Space for Your Consultations

Law offices are responsible for protecting the privacy of their clients. This is the law.

Solicitor-client privilege can be fulfilled while at the same time ensuring that your clients' discussions will not be shared outside your office without their consent. This is an ideal space for discussing pre-trial matters with clients and having discussions with opposing counsel.

You will also be able to gain the respect and trust of your clients if you have a private office. The entire focus of your service is on them, their needs, and how you will assist them in this legal process.

If I am a Solo Practitioner and cannot Afford a Private Office, What Can I do?

We offer private offices for individuals and small firms, which is especially convenient since office space in Downtown Toronto, Oakville and Mississauga is hard to come by, let alone affordable.

You will benefit not only from the private spaces, but also from Wolf Law Chambers’ professional legal support, including assistants to answer the phone. Our services include mailboxes, snacks, conference rooms, as well as social media promotion for your law firm. At Wolf Law Chambers, you will have access to amenities, cleaning staff, and personal and semi-private spaces, all at a competitive rate. Check out Wolf Law Chambers' workplace solutions, from a one-day office to meeting rooms to private executive offices, and you'll find something you'll like. And it’s all fully serviced! You can view our locations on our website www.wolflawchambers.ca and read our client's reviews to get an idea of what our clients think!

Wolf Law Chambers' Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.

5 Reasons to Work in a Shared Workspace

Working from home seems like a dream, doesn’t it? When you work from home, you can wear your favorite pajamas all day, take breaks whenever you like, and you never have to worry about traffic. In theory, it sounds delightful. Within the past two years, though, we’ve learned that working from home isn’t always the ideal dream we thought it could be. There are some significant downsides to working from home, not the least of which are isolation and distractions.

The obvious alternative is to go back to the office. But what if it’s too far? Or too small? Or do you need to be available to people at home?

Thankfully, there is a third option: coworking spaces. A coworking space is a place where…insert definition

There are many benefits to working in coworking spaces: You can form relationships with people who share your interests by sharing a space, meet people from other disciplines, there is a sense of energy and purpose in the air and work is easier.

1. Productivity Increase

When you work in a coworking space, you’re surrounded by others working on their own projects. It can motivate you to finish your work and create a sense of accountability.

There are also rules and regulations that everyone must follow in most coworking spaces, for example, it is not allowed to talk loudly on the phone, and you cannot listen to music without headphones. These guidelines help people focus on their work by maintaining quiet and peace in the shared workspace.

2. A Professional Environment

Being able to work from your bed or couch can seem like a pleasant experience. Although you can work in your pajamas, it’s not very professional. This can affect your mood, outlook and productivity. In contrast, a coworking space is a professional environment and requires professional clothing Both of these will help You get into a much more productive mindset..

Additionally, most coworking spaces in Canada and the U.S. have meeting rooms so you can meet with clients or have video calls privately. This way you’re meeting with clients in a professional setting, you don’t need to worry about backgrounds, or being accidentally disturbed by any other occupants in your house.

3. Health Benefits

Coworking spaces encourage you to take breaks and move around. By doing this, you will be able to focus and concentrate better. In addition, it can help you relax and reduce stress levels.

You can also schedule your eating habits with it. Working from home tends to lead to the habit of snacking all day. Obviously, this isn’t healthy. But in coworking spaces, lunch and breaks are usually scheduled. As a result, you can better control your food intake.

Lastly, coworking spaces can improve your posture. Working from home makes it easy to slouch or sit uncomfortably. It’s normal to sit at a desk or table in a coworking space. You can reduce back pain by sitting in the right position, at the right height in an ergonomic chair.

4. Networking Opportunities

You can easily feel alone and isolated working from home. All those meetings online do not make up for real human contact. In fact, it can be more exhausting. In a coworking space, however, you’re surrounded by people to chat and exchange ideas with. It will give you the opportunity to make genuine human connections, meet new people and develop new professional and social contacts..

5. Customization

Last but not least: personalization. Coworking spaces also offer private offices in addition to reserved desks. Depending on your needs, you can have your own enclosed space or if you prefer, you can have a desk reserved exclusively for your use. With both options, you will be free to customize and personalize it to your satisfaction.

In this tug of war between employees and employers over work from home vs office work, there is a third option to consider: coworking spaces. Check out a coworking space near you to see if it’s right for you. It could be the opportunity you didn’t know you were looking for.

We are in Toronto

We have double the reason to celebrate this Canada Day. We have found the best place to open our Law Chambers in downtown Toronto! Our third location will be opening on July 1, 2021 (Happy Canada Day!) in the Richmond-Adelaide Centre on the 29^th floor. We have a beautiful view of the city and the CN Tower. Join the Wolf Law Chambers community today and revel in the stunning views of Toronto.

Wolf Law Chambers Toronto

Legal professionals in Toronto will finally have access to the industry’s leading services offering full-service office space for small and medium firms, which are also located in Mississauga and Oakville.

Wolf Law Chambers provides an elegant workspace to allow legal professionals to grow their business and network while maintaining their independence. We offer spacious and fully furnished private offices, secretarial workstations, and boardrooms, along with a full range of administrative and support services found in established law firms so that you can focus on your legal practice.

At Wolf Law Chambers you will belong to a community of legal professionals that actively share knowledge, experience and referrals; the ideal conditions to help your practice grow and succeed.

Wolf Law Chambers members are able to focus their time on what really matters: practicing law. We take care of the administrative tasks involved with running an office. From furnishing your office, to setting up the security system and maintenance, our professional team takes care of your packages, greets your clients and makes sure that you and your clients are in a safe and clean space, disinfecting the common areas regularly.

Your private office in Toronto

At Wolf Law Chambers Toronto you will find spacious offices with lots of natural light and big windows providing a stunning view from the 29th floor.

All you need to bring are your computer and files. The offices are furnished with L-shaped desks, lockable filing cabinets and chairs for you and your clients. We leave the decoration of the office up to you.

You can “hang your own shingle” and have your nameplate on your door and at reception.

You will have a private and secure internet connection, as well as printer, scanner and fax services. A shredding service will guarantee the safe disposal of your confidential documents.

At the front desk, our office coordinator greets your clients, receives and sends your packages and manages the maintenance of the office.

For your convenience, we have several services available online, including a booking app to book the boardroom and a messenger app to communicate with colleagues and the Wolf Law Chambers team.

Basically, with a private office at Wolf Law Chambers Toronto all you need to care about are your practice and clients.

You will have access to the office 24/7 including the boardroom. So you can meet your clients in our sophisticated/elegant boardroom after hours and on weekends.

Premium Virtual Office in Toronto

If you are looking to expand your practice to Toronto or work from home, the Virtual Office is a great option for you. You will have a professional address in the core of downtown Toronto where you can meet and impress your clients.

With a virtual office you are a member of the pack, so you will have access to our referral network and our social and CPD credit events. On top of that, we will help you to promote your practice with a micro-website and social media posts.

Like other members, our office coordinator will take care of your packages and clients, and not even notice that your office is not physically with us.

Remember: We want you to succeed!

Location, Access and Parking

Wolf Law Chambers Toronto can be found on the corner of Adelaide St. West and York St. in the Richmond-Adelaide Centre within the financial district, steps away from the entertainment district and deep within downtown’s vibrant business community.

Our offices can easily be reached by car, transit, bike or on foot.

Our building is easily accessed from the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway. There is underground parking as well as other nearby parking options, such as the parking lot at City Hall.

If you prefer to take transit, the King and St. Andrews subway stations are minutes away, and Union Station and the Go Transit services are close by as well. The Richmond-Adelaide Centre is also connected to the PATH that connects Toronto underground enabling you to avoid the wind, snow and rain.

If you prefer to take your bike, the Richmond-Adelaide Centre has underground bike racks and changing rooms on the premises.

Premises

The Richmond-Adelaide Centre is a beautiful building with many amenities such as a food court, car wash and care, a fitness centre, outdoor space, and a concierge. Anything you could think of to make working away from home easier, this building has it, including dental clinics, a pharmacy and printing services.

The Richmond-Adelaide Centre has a beautiful patio and outdoor space where you can bring your food to eat and enjoy the sun. In 2020 a large sculpture, Dreaming by Jaume Plensa, was unveiled in the courtyard by Oxford Properties. Plensa hopes the sculpture will inspire all who see it to look inward, contemplate and dream of the future.

Services

Wolf Law Chambers has many services designed to help make our members’ practices run more smoothly and to free up their time to focus on the law and their clients. Included among our many amenities we have binding services available for binding court documents, live reception services where we greet and welcome clients as well as send and receive packages. As part of our community, legal practitioners also have unique access to our referral network and readily available witnesses and commissioners.

Security

As we are lawyers ourselves, we understand the paramount importance of confidentiality and security. To that end each private office will have their own separate internet connection. All the furniture as well as the offices are equipped with locks. We have installed an internal surveillance system to maintain the security of the Chambers at all times. Confidential documents can be discarded in a locked container which will be emptied and destroyed by a certified company. Working amongst a community of legal practitioners has the added benefit of a shared understanding amongst all the members regarding the importance of confidentiality and security. There is no better or safer space to set up a law practice.

Meet Clients in a Professional and Impressive Space

Wolf Law Chambers Toronto, like our other locations, has been exquisitely designed by the interior designers at Silver Elephant. The vibrant artwork is inspiring and motivating. Canyon-inspired walls and carpets complement the sleek finishes of the furniture. Natural light beams through tall windows and even on rainy days, the view is magical. Our boardroom combines the comfort of a meeting space, accents of Earth’s natural wonders and the inspiring view of the Toronto skyline to make a space that is both functional and destined to impress your clients.

Join Wolf Law Chambers Toronto!

Wolf Law Chambers is the place to be. It will help you save money in a professional and safe environment. Be surrounded by people that understand what your profession demands and will help you avoid distractions so that you can grow your practice. The best thing is: you are not alone. Our regular social events and office activities will keep you connected, supported and help you decompress.

Don’t waste time; schedule a tour or a phone meeting with a member of our team NOW.

Click here to schedule an in-person meeting to see our beautiful facilities.

To get more information about our services, schedule a phone meeting here.

If you want to learn more about our locations click here.

We will help you grow your practice.

At Wolf Law Chambers, we’re here to help you succeed

Julia Munk: Helping You Understand the Law

Julia Munk actively seeks to change the world by helping each of her clients understand their legal rights and the process they are apart of.

If you come away understanding the legal picture a little bit better, she has succeeded.

“When I was in the fifth grade my teacher asked us to draw pictures of what we wanted to be when we grew up. My best friend drew a teacher and the boy next to me drew a firefighter. I drew a stick figure holding up a sign on a stick and wrote across the top of my page, “When I grow up, I want to be a protester.”

My teacher asked my why I wanted to be a protester and without a second thought I responded, “So that I can change the world.”

– Julia Munk of Munk Law

A Change in Direction

Julia Munk originally intended on becoming a disability studies professor. She did her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto studying political science and equity studies. This was followed by a Masters at University of Victoria where she studied Studies in Policy and Practice and Social Services. Julia was ready to graduate and continue on a professorship career path when a situation developed in her personal life that changed everything. Julia suddenly became intimately familiar with parental rights and this led her to re-examine her career trajectory. She decided that her original plan did not line up with her shifting priorities. She concluded, “I realized I wanted a career where I’m not just writing about social justice in theory, but I’m actually able to do things for people in practice that will help their lives.” She decided to pursue a career in law.

Joining the Legal Community

After graduating from Osgoode Law School in Toronto in 2016, she considered the several options available to a newly-minted lawyer. The most attractive was becoming a sole practitioner. And Julia knew exactly the kind of law she wanted to practice and the types of clients she wanted to represent. Of course, Julia is glad to represent anyone who seeks her services, but she’s especially passionate about reaching the people who believe legal representation is beyond them, inaccessible physically, financially, or socially.

Being a sole practitioner can be lonely, so Julia began looking for ways to plug into the legal community. She heard about the law chambers concept and immediately loved the idea. A law chambers would connect her to the legal community and put her in direct contact with other lawyers. It would give her everything she was looking for: allow her to run her own practice but not feel like she was all by herself. Julia saw an ad on LinkedIn for Wolf Law Chambers and went for a meeting to learn more about the chambers concept. The price was right and provided a professional environment to work in and to meet clients. It was important to her to have an office space that reflected the professionalism with which she approaches her career. Wolf Law Chambers stood well above rivalling office options available to her as a new law practitioner. Everybody was friendly. At the end of her visit, she thought, “This place is up-and-coming,” And then, “I’m up-and-coming too.” So she signed up for a virtual office.

It’s proven to be a good decision. Julia has found that being part of Wolf Law Chambers reminds her that she’s not that different from other lawyers. “Sometimes I think when you’re working all by yourself you feel like you are,” she said. She loves being around other professionals who think law is as exciting as she does. She was also immediately connected to another lawyer who consulted with her on her specialty. The benefits of Wolf Law Chambers’s referral network were immediate.

Her Practice

Julia tries to make her practice as client-based as possible. “I’m trying to increase access to justice to the best of my ability to clients who would otherwise not be able to access legal services.” Family law, estates issues, and human rights are the three main prongs of her practice. Within estates, she enjoys doing something for families because it’s also connected to disability and capacity issues as well as protecting people’s rights as they get older. Disability law and elder law have a lot of overlap which intrigues her. Within family law, her scope ranges from child protection to representing parents with disabilities and the unique challenges they face. Julia practices all types of family law and has a special affinity for helping non-traditional families navigate the system. Under the umbrella of human rights, Julia will focus on education law, family law and rights in employment. She also acts as a consultant for other lawyers, educating and enabling them to interact and represent their disabled clients effectively. In the end, every case Julia takes on is done so with the goal to increase access to justice.

Philosophy

Julia believes a lawyer should be accessible, diligent and caring. She strives to be client-focused, empathetic towards her clients’ experiences, and takes time to explain the intricacies of the law to each one. She wants to help people who otherwise wouldn’t utilize legal services. “It’s not about disability or incapacity… Law plays a role in everyday life and I want it to be accessible to everyone.” Not just people who understand it, not just people who have the means, but also for the busy mom who needs legal advice, or the individual who has a tight budget. Julia likes helping people understand the processes of law and the documents they are required to sign.

Julia wants to incorporate inclusive design principles into her practice. This means creating a legal service that is inclusive of all people. In the future, Julia envisions creating a practice for lawyers that accommodates specialties of all kinds and draws lawyers from diverse backgrounds who reflect their communities. Julia has learned that her experience, her background and who she is lends her a unique perspective to issues that others may not have thought of. It still surprises her the way her insights sometimes light up another lawyer’s eyes giving them a new avenue of possibility to explore in a given case. “It’s one of my favorite parts, the idea that I can bring a new idea to the table,” she said.

In the End

There’s law in everyday life and Julia doesn’t want it to be just about ability or disability, that’s not the distinction that she feels should be focused on. She wants it to be about what law can do to improve and change the world. “I still want to be a protester,” she said, “but I’m trying to find practical ways of achieving that.” If just one person understands their employment contract a little bit better or understands their rights a bit better after working with her, she has succeeded.

If you have previously considered legal service just out of reach, Julia is here to guide you through the complexities of the legal system with care and compassion.

Neeraj Pal: Heart of the Community

Neeraj Pal is a new Canadian lawyer who practices corporate commercial, real estate and civil litigation law. His focus is on easing the burdens of his clients and helping with complex legal matters.

Neeraj Pal was born and raised in India. Before coming to Canada in 2017, Neeraj was a lawyer in India for 16 years. He worked as in-house counsel for ESPN, Vodafone, Viacom and Times Network in India. In Canada, he is a sole practitioner that focuses on corporate commercial, real estate and civil litigation.

The Beginning

Neeraj didn’t always want to be a lawyer. There were a few lawyers and judges in his extended family and to his limited child perception, they led rather boring lives. “I wanted to be someone who was free-spirited, doing their own thing,” he said. The trouble was, he wasn’t quite sure what it was that he wanted to do. No matter, he thought. He would start the track to become a lawyer to keep his parents happy and to give himself time to figure out where his true passion lay. He took the law school entrance exam, got into law school and realized with a mild shock that he loved it. Soon law became his passion. “I realized how amazing it is to search [for] new things, do research…fight a case…get a confirmatory result… And I was good at it,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

At one point in law school he had the opportunity to argue a case in a simulated court environment. He prepared his case law and his arguments, practiced his delivery. During his presentation, he was so wrapped up in his arguments that he didn’t realize he had gone beyond the allotted time. It didn’t seem to matter though, because when he was finished, his classmates were on their feet and showering him with applause. “[It was] such an amazing feeling,” he said. “I thought, if I can do it here, maybe I can do it somewhere else.”

Neeraj was called to the bar in India in 2001. He worked as a junior lawyer assisting a senior counselor in research, court appearances, documenting reviews and time management. During his next job at ESPN, he decided to do his Master in Laws in London, England. After his Masters, he was rehired by ESPN. Later on, he got an opportunity to be part of the Viacom’s dynamic legal team. Before heading to Canada, he was taking care of the legal and regulatory functions at Times Network, where he was dealing with serious techno-commercial agreements for the online and broadcast media business. Neeraj enjoyed the work and the team-based environment. When he and his family came to Canada in 2017, he contemplated returning to the same type of in-house environment but ultimately decided it was time to try starting his own practice, something he had wanted to do for awhile.

Coming to Canada

Neeraj took his accreditation exams while still in India so that when he arrived in Ontario, he was able to start the process to be licensed. He wrote his Barristers and Solicitors exams, completed his articling with Brampton Legal Community Clinic and was called to the bar in June 2019. He opened Gretis Legal in November 2019.

Neeraj focuses on corporate commercial and real estate civil litigation. In corporate commercial cases, he helps his clients incorporate a business, establish business practices, and develop employment agreements. In real estate, he focuses on sale and purchase transactions. In civil litigation he does personal injury claims and accident benefit claims.

Out of all the types of law, Neeraj has always been drawn to corporate commercial cases. It’s why he worked as in-house counsel in India. He feels a sense of kinship when many people are working together towards a common goal, to produce a product of the highest quality. And although he no longer works for a large company, he tries to bring that sense of ownership and partnership to the cases he works on with his clients. Real estate is his second area of interest. He finds it’s a way to stay connected to the community, give back to it, and stay in touch with the people within it, which is very important to him.

Third, Neeraj does civil litigation for personal injury claims and accident benefit claims. He finds litigation intriguing because he must stay active and updated on caselaw as it can change overnight. It’s a way to help people with their rights, making sure they get their share of things.

When asked what he’s most proud of, he gave a surprising answer. Neeraj said that the easy answer would be graduating from law school or passing the bar both in India and in Canada. He acknowledged that they are impressive accomplishments and he is proud of those moments, but to him, his proudest achievements are learning to knot his tie, learning how to swim as an adult, immigrating to a new country and starting all over again, and of course learning to drive on the other side of the road. He had to really work hard to overcome his fear (swimming) and years of trained instinct (driving) to succeed, which he did, and he’s beyond proud of those victories.

Choosing Wolf Law Chambers

After deciding to start his own practice, he began looking for an office space. Through a Google search, he found Wolf Law Chambers. He called and made an appointment for a tour. “They were very welcoming, and I was very impressed with the space,” he said. “I have worked most of my professional career in an environment where everybody has their own space but there is room to help each other. I wanted something similar. I never realized it would be available, but I saw [it] here.” When he checked it out, he knew he wanted an office at Wolf Law Chambers for himself. “The infrastructure is good, [there’s] 24/7 access and the coffee is great,” he added with a laugh. He noted that the clients who visited his office were very impressed. They liked the layout and the air of professionalism. The location is also a bonus as it’s pretty central in terms of reaching different parts of the GTA.

As a tenant of Wolf Law Chambers, he’s really impressed with the use of technology and how it’s been incorporated into office use. “They have enabled it to become your personal assistant,” he said. He can get his voice messages by email; he knows when he has mail or a parcel to pick up. He receives faxes electronically, negating the need to physically pick up the fax and then scan it himself. He can book the conference room online. “Technology has been used very positively, which is good because it can bring down efficiency [but not here], here it is used very nicely.” Too often, you don’t realize you need something until the need arises, but time and again, Neeraj has found his needs anticipated and fulfilled before he can voice them.

Looking forward

Short term, Neeraj would like to keep his practice running and keep learning about the Canadian system. Long term, he would like his practice to evolve into a big firm that has lawyers specializing in different areas, and for his practice to be heavily involved in the community. He also wants to create his own Bay Street. He sees a lot of good talent coming from outside Canada that could be utilized. He thinks it would benefit the community and be good opportunities for the incoming lawyers. “Not everyone can go to Bay Street after all, so why not make one right in the heart of my community?” he asked.

At the end of the day, his favourite part of being a lawyer is when he’s able to put a smile on his client’s face. When they’re able to walk out of his office satisfied and smiling, he’s happy. “Whatever it takes to make that happen,” he says, “I will do.” That smile is the best feeling of satisfaction.

If you would like to ease your burdens and smile, give Gretis Legal a call.