BEFORE WE BEGIN, Max please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Sure, so, following the completion of this Bar admission course, I embarked on the journey of articling, a significant phase in the legal profession. For me, this meant joining an immigration law firm, where I had the privilege of working under a sole practitioner. My professional exposure was therefore largely confined to the realm of immigration law from the outset, shaping my perceptions and aspirations.
Working closely with an immigration practitioner served as a de facto mentorship, instilling in me the belief that one could carve out their own path in the legal profession. After a brief period of about five to six months as an employee, circumstances led to me assuming a more significant role within the firm. The senior lawyer, now semi-retired, entrusted me with several cases, predominantly involving federal court matters.
During this time, the landscape of the Federal Court docket was predominantly occupied by refugee cases. However, amidst this caseload, I had the opportunity to handle a variety of matters, including applications under the Federal Skilled Worker program, which targeted overseas candidates seeking economic immigration opportunities. This aspect of my work was somewhat of a niche at the time, as litigation within immigration law was not as common due to the perceived simplicity of processing applications.
Indeed, many practitioners focused on the administrative side of immigration law, particularly on facilitating straightforward permanent residency applications. However, I found myself drawn to the complexity and challenge of litigation, especially within the Federal Court domain. With a stroke of good fortune, inheriting a portfolio of cases allowed me to establish and sustain my own practice within a relatively short period, merely six months after being admitted to the bar.
Can you describe the organizational structure of your firm?
So, here's the setup: I have a part-time receptionist who typically works remotely. Her responsibilities include handling phone calls, basic emails, and essentially managing intake processes. We have two other lawyers besides myself, and there's a full-time caseworker, who specializes in dealing with forms and related paperwork. Given our firm's size, we aim to handle a significant portion of our administrative tasks internally, including portal inputs. As the lead lawyer, I oversee and provide guidance on any new tasks the team takes on, such as handling refugee cases or matters involving federal courts. We also have a bookkeeper.
Immigration laws, policies and procedures are constantly evolving. How do you stay current with the ever-changing landscape of immigration law, and how do you incorporate these changes into your practice?
To list a few, we rely on:
- Subscriptions to listservs
- Attending CBA National conference
- Signing up for relevant alerts from the CIC website
Do you use any softwares or systems to streamline processes or enhance client services?
Well, our bookkeeper uses PC LAW. We also use the basic Microsoft suite and Google drive.
What is your firm’s primary areas of focus? What would you say is your personal expertise?
Our firm specializes in a diverse range of immigration law areas, with a particular focus on cases that often end up in federal court or involve administrative actions related to immigration. One key area of expertise lies in refugee cases, including representation before the RAD (Refugee Appeal Division) and federal court appeals. We also handle routine immigration processing, such as Express Entry and family class applications, as well as more nuanced aspects of immigration law, including discretionary applications, such as work permits with TRP (Temporary Resident Permit) ease, rehabilitation cases, and humanitarian and compassionate applications within Canada.
Personally, my expertise is evolving towards these discretionary applications, particularly in cases involving TRPs, rehabilitation, and other scenarios where third-party documentation is crucial. I find advocating on behalf of clients within the framework of immigration criteria, especially in situations requiring careful synthesis of evidence and legal argumentation, intellectually stimulating, and engaging.
What are some of the challenges you have faced over the years and how have you overcome them?
Encountering a series of challenges or facing burnout is something everyone experiences at some point, especially in high-pressure situations with tight deadlines. For instance, if your website is hacked, your router malfunctions, and demanding clients present their concerns all at once, it can feel overwhelming. In such moments, I remind myself that these situations are temporary. Drawing on over a decade of experience, I tell myself, "This shall pass." It's about reframing these challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. I try to extract lessons from what happened, focusing on what I can control and letting go of what I can't. It's a mindset shift, acknowledging that some things are beyond my control and choosing not to let them affect me.
Finding clients can also be challenging for the solo practitioner or junior lawyer, how do you Market yourself?
After five years, or perhaps even less, referrals become a reliable source of business. Every law firm operates within its unique cultural, ethnic, and business context, with each community experiencing its own fluctuations in demand influenced by various factors such as political policies or issues in their home countries. Therefore, it's crucial to understand that there will always be periods of slower business, unless you're fortunate enough to have corporate clients with ongoing needs.
To counteract these fluctuations, maintaining a robust online presence is essential. In today's digital economy, traditional marketing methods like paper yellow pages or newspaper ads are outdated. Instead, the focus should be on creating a compelling web presence with relevant content that attracts visitors to your website. However, it's important to strike a balance with this content. While it should be informative and engaging, it should also avoid creating unrealistic expectations that can lead to frustration when reality doesn't align with perceived simplicity.
We utilize various social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to enhance our online presence and engage with our audience. These platforms offer opportunities to share informative content, engage with potential clients, and showcase our expertise in a dynamic and accessible manner. By leveraging these channels effectively, we can reach a wider audience and establish ourselves as a trusted authority in our field.
Finally, what advice would you like to share with junior lawyers who are contemplating launching their own legal practices or have recently established their firms?
As a young lawyer considering becoming a sole practitioner in immigration law, my advice would be to first gain experience by working for a 1-2 years in a firm specializing in immigration law. During this time, take mental notes on how you would operate your own practice if you lack support as a sole practitioner.
Observe how the firm manages its caseload, interacts with clients, and handles administrative tasks. Pay attention to the systems and processes in place for managing paperwork, scheduling appointments, and communicating with clients. Take note of any challenges or inefficiencies you observe and think about how you would address them in your own practice.
Additionally, take advantage of any mentorship opportunities available at the firm. Seek guidance from experienced attorneys on building a client base, managing client relationships, and navigating the complexities of immigration law. Use this time to learn as much as you can about the practical aspects of running a successful immigration law practice.
By working for a small firm specializing in immigration law, you'll gain valuable insights and hands-on experience that will prepare you for the challenges of operating as a sole practitioner. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from others' experiences and develop a solid foundation for launching your own practice in the future.
Any article or other information or content expressed or made available in this Section is that of the respective author(s) and not of the OBA.