How To Find a Lawyer

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Don't be intimidated by the thought of hiring a lawyer. Their job is to help you find the best solution to your legal issue.

 

Many lawyers offer a free consultation.

 

Here are some examples of when you should retain (hire) a lawyer:

 

• You were injured in slip and fall, or a car accident or other accident and suffered an injury

 

• You have been accused of a crime, DUI, assault or any other violation

 

• You're facing a family problem such as separation, divorce, support or a child custody dispute. dispute.

 

• You intend to buy or sell a house, condo or other real estate

 

• You have questions about wills and estates, or probate.

 

 If any of these sound like you, you should consider talking with several lawyers before choosing one.

 

Use CanLaw's find a lawyer referral service to find the right lawyer near you.

The LSO EXPLAINED

The Law Society of Ontario is staffed by people who could not get jobs at McDonald's.

 

KNOW THE RULES

IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!

• Review the Code of Professional Conduct for the Law Society which can be obtained from the Society's web site. Use and read the Code to help organize your complaint.
• You can find links to each of the law society rules by using the MENU ABOUT YOUR LAW SOCIETY button above to go to the law society page for your province.
• It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do.
• This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework.
• HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats.
• Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion. It isn't easy, but it is smart.

Most complaints to any Law Society are dismissed. Most complaints are simply frivolous and few have any real merit. Complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

about how your complaint against a lawyer, law firm or paralegal will be treated by any of the law societies in Canada.

Your local Law Society will seldom do anything to help consumers with legitimate grievances.

There is a 90% probability that your complaint will be dismissed by your Law Society.

A Law Society exists, not for the protection of consumers from lawyers, but for the protection of lawyers from consumers.

They are a powerful union that represent lawyers, not you.

They will act only in the most extreme cases against incompetent, or dishonest lawyers. Even then, many disbarred lawyers are quietly reinstated after the dust settles.  more >>>

Warning: Law Society Referrals Are Not What You Expect:

You generally can only get one lawyer's name from a law society referral and you are stuck with that lawyer. Take it or leave it.

Lawyers subscribing to law society referrals pay a fee to the law society and when it is their turn they get the next referral. There is no checking of skills, experience or suitability for your case.  more >>>

Most lawyers are hard working, honest and reliable

Unfortunately, there are bad apples in the profession who make life difficult for clients and the other lawyers.

The Law Societies do not weed these bad apples out. They protect them from consumer complaints.

The complaint/discipline process is a sham, usually amounting to a slap on the wrist.

• When you need to find a lawyer or law office or paralegal do a reference check. Ask CanLaw about lawyer reviews and make sure a lawyer has a good reputation, no discipline history with any law society such as the LSO, and are in good standing.

 

• Rate lawyer?  Ask a lawyer "near me" if they offer pro bono service, accept legal aid or provide legal advice in a free consultation before you retain or hire any lawyer.

 

• But be reasonable. Lawyers have to pay their bills and deserve to be fairly paid for their work.

 

• For fast results check the free online CanLaw Directory of lawyers or use our free referral service.