Lawyer Consultation in Ontario: What To Expect

In light of the increasing number of employment and human rights law issues arising from the pandemic, it’s important to have a clear understanding of how legal consultations work in Ontario and how to prepare for them. This knowledge can help you approach seeking legal advice with confidence and without feeling overwhelmed.

If you decide to proceed and hire the legal professional, you will be presented with a retainer agreement. This agreement serves as a formal document outlining the key terms of your solicitor-client relationship and detailing what you can expect during the course of your legal representation.

What Happens During a Lawyer Consultation in Ontario

A consultation is not an occasion to resolve your legal issue, but to see how the legal professional can help resolve the matter. To do that, they need to know as much as they can about your particular legal problem.

A large part of the consultation is fact-gathering regarding your matter. The best way a legal professional can help you is to have a clear picture of all the relevant facts and evidence, to ensure they do not miss any issues.

While a lot of context can be gleaned through your own explanation of what occurred, documents are also helpful for your legal professional to review. You will be asked for further details on what exactly happened.

After gathering the relevant facts and reviewing any relevant documents, the legal professional can assess your matter, the options available to you, and the likelihood of success for your matter. If there are key facts and documents missing, this may effect the legal professional’s ability to provide an accurate assessment. Similarly, if new facts and evidence arise at a later time, this may change their initial assessment.

The legal professional can then present you with options in how to proceed with your matter, as well as information as to what to expect for the options available to you.

You will also be provided with an overview what costs to expect for the legal services provided.

In brief, the main elements of the consolation should include:

Facts: your explanation of what happened, including answering any questions the legal professional has to get a clear picture of your matter;
Evidence: the documents you bring to review, as well as any documented dates, times, and particulars of relevant events;
Assessment: based on all the relevant facts and documents, the legal professional can determine the strength of your case and any weaknesses;
Options and Information: if the legal professional can help with your matter, they will provide you with options in how you can move your matter forward to a resolution. They will also provide you with information as to what is likely to occur, how long you can expect steps to take, and what factors may affect your matter; and
Costs: the fees that will be incurred by representing you. The lawyer will explain the associated fees with the matter, such as which fee arrangement is available for your matter, as well as the disbursements (out-of-pocket fees) you will be responsible for.

Finding the Right Legal Professional

Individuals may search for the right firm or legal professional to represent them by searching online, browsing a directory, or asking individuals within their network to refer them to someone that can assist them.

When determining who to book a consultation with, keep in mind the practice areas of the firm or legal professional, to ensure they have knowledge and experience with matters similar to yours.

After determining which firm or legal professional may work best for your issue, you will typically be able to book a consultation by contacting them either by phone or filling out a consultation form on their website.

While some consultations are free of charge, some are not. It is always best to check with the firm in advance so that you are fully aware of any consultation fees. While “free” can be tempting to many individuals, be careful that the legal professional is not providing you with a legal opinion without properly assessing your facts or evidence—this may cost you more in the long run.

Confidentiality

Anything discussed during the legal consultation in Ontario is protected by solicitor-client privilege, which means that all discussions and information is kept confidential, and cannot be shared with any third party.

Solicitor-client privilege aims to ensure that clients, even potential clients, are completely honest about the details of their case, so that an accurate assessment can be provided. Without knowing all the facts, any strategy might be challenged by unpleasant surprises down the road. That’s why it is best to prepare knowing all the facts and having a full picture, to know exactly what to anticipate and how to properly respond to any challenges from the opposing side.

Individuals should keep in mind that while they are protected by solicitor-client privilege during a consultation, they are not considered a client until they retain the legal professional—this requires signing the retainer and providing any corresponding funds.

Preparing For The Legal Consultation in Ontario

Effective preparation for a legal consultation can go a long way in making the consultation more thorough and beneficial to both parties. This can help clarity of the legal issues involving your matter, as well as the accuracy of the legal professional’s assessment of your matter.

Some examples of evidence that should typically be brought to an employment law consultation include:

Your employment agreement;
Any relevant policy;
Your termination letter;
Any warning letters;
Any relevant medical records;
Your T4 and paystubs;
Your record of employment; and
Any relevant correspondence such as emails, texts, and letters.

If you have any particular question(s) about your matter, you can have those prepared for your consultation so you do not forget. While the legal professional cannot resolve your matter during the consultation, they can provide you with information as to what you can expect as your matter progresses, and how they can help you reach a resolution.

Contact Us

If you are an employer or an employee seeking to clarify your rights or are in need of a legal consultation in Ontario, our team of workplace lawyers can help.

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Chris Lorentz

The team at Achkar Law made me feel so comfortable and answered all my questions.

Christopher Achkar was very knowledgeable and again put my mind at ease and made me feel very comfortable.

Caleb Patrick

Every step of this process has been super easy for such a high stress situation. All of the staff I've interacted with have been compassionate and easy to talk to, on top of that I give them many kudos for the prompt responses since my matter is time sensitive. Chris Achkar is friendly and reassured me throughout the strategy meeting to ensure that I felt positively about the direction we needed to go. All of my legal matter inquiries were met with professionalism and left me feeling empowered about where my situation stands. Highly recommend. Thank you!

Debbie Marshall

Achkar Law responded to my initial enquiry within hours. I spoke with a number of people who were knowledgeable and compassionate. I highly recommend their services.

ryan24XD

Everyone here are easy to talk to and full of knowledge. I spoke to Babak for my consultation and he was full of info, great to talk to and made me feel like he was for sure in my corner. If every that works there are like this, definitely recommend using this firm for any problem you have.

April Smith

Answered all my questions, acknowledge my complaint and all concerns, best part was, the lawyer I spoke to, was in utterly complete shocked with in information and laughed and said what the heck, I reply and said Yes I know right, I said the same thing lol. It was a very stressless call and agreed 100%. Thanks for the meeting sorry about the stories, I could of told you more about my Human Rights Violations and others. Looking forward to reaching out again. Thanks for the wonderful words of encouragement, advice, and acknowledging I was right.

Alan Courtney

Great initial consultation, explained everything in basic terms and gave great advice

Sherrie Wynne

So I have just started with them and man I am glad I did.
I am usually a floor matt but after my work actually made me sick I had to resign and things got so tough I thought I would never make it but now I see hope.
Charles Millar and his team have been so nice and empathetic. I will come back and let you know how much he rocks after this goes well as I know he will get this!
Edit- 2 weeks in. Not regretting it!

Ted Malone

Excellent knowledge very helpful looking forward to working with them .

JV SL

Chris was very accessible and responsive, provided quick turnaround to review and outline best options to help handle my employment matter. I've previously used Achkar Law, and really appreciate consistency in their quality of service.

Supriya

Yasmin Said

Very easy to shedule an appointment with them, kristen helped me by phone.
The laywer Charles was very wasy to talk with, explain our concerns.
Definitely we recommend them for all your needs with law.

Ajay K

Did a consultation with Clifford Singh for an employment issue. Clifford was very professional, honest and informative when providing a solution to my problem. His extensive knowledge in employment matters thoroughly answered all my questions and he also very pleasantly helped me plan my next steps! Abby was also very supportive in helping me connect with a professional during the long weekend. 10/10 service!

Ericson Tapang

My aunt was wrongfully dismissed from her job of 17 years without any valid reason. We struggled to find legal help—many lawyers didn’t return our calls or were too busy to take on the case. That’s when we found Achkar Law. From the very beginning, Chris (the founder) and Madison (a partner) were incredibly helpful and attentive to my aunt’s needs. They were ready to assist us as soon as we walked in.

During our consultation, they clearly explained everything related to labor laws, human rights, and employment matters. Thanks to their expertise and guidance, my aunt is now on the path to getting her life back on track. I highly recommend Achkar Law to anyone in need of employment legal assistance—you won’t be disappointed!

George Adaimi

We recently had a consultation with Chris from ACHKAR LAW regarding an urgent employment issue for a family member, and we had to act quickly. Chris’s professionalism, clear direction, and the way he handled the situation truly stood out. He provided us with valuable legal advice that made a significant difference. I highly recommend ACHKAR LAW to anyone in need of employment or corporate legal services.

andre delabastide

I recently left my employer after bieng harassed, descriminated, humiliated, just to name a few. Chris and his team, responded rapidly to my crisis, asking for details and facts about employer and people involved etc... He suggested a strategy session before going any further to inform me of my legal rights and options of recourse. I gladly paid the very reasonable fee for the session. Right away after 5 minutes of talking with Chris, I felt relieved and knew he was looking out for the best realistic outcome, rather than making false promises and giving me false hopes and taking a large retainer fee, (as I have paid with lawyers in the past.) I followed his advice, and I am now keeping him on speed dial for all of my legal needs. Chris and the Achkar team will help you get the best outcome and be there for you when you need them the most. Honesty and service like this is rare these days.

Andre Dlb..

Alison O'Donnell

I had excellent advise during my first interaction with ACHKAR LAW. Quick to respond and accommodating to my schedule with time-sensitive request. I will be using this firm if further needs arise!