WELLNESS In Your Community By Robert M. Mullin, - Association of ...
WELLNESS In Your Community By Robert M. Mullin, - Association of ...
WELLNESS In Your Community By Robert M. Mullin, - Association of ...
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■ Build a Relationship<br />
We all know that finding a doctor<br />
when you are sick is nearly impossible.<br />
Building a personal relationship<br />
early with the pr<strong>of</strong>essional who<br />
will take care <strong>of</strong> you can pay big<br />
dividends. The board should see the<br />
corporation’s lawyer as a trusted advisor<br />
and someone they enjoy talking<br />
to, even if the circumstances <strong>of</strong> the<br />
conversation are less than ideal. This<br />
type <strong>of</strong> relationship allows you to use<br />
your lawyer to avoid problems before<br />
they start and to think <strong>of</strong> creative, tailored<br />
solutions when they do. A pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
giving proactive advice is<br />
far superior to one providing reactive<br />
advice in an emergency. Although<br />
you may find a lawyer to assist you<br />
during a crisis, the timing and effort<br />
needed may be high.<br />
■ Meet the Team<br />
Keep in mind that behind every<br />
great lawyer is a great team. <strong>Your</strong><br />
lawyer should encourage you to meet<br />
the lawyers, articling students, law<br />
clerks and assistants who will work<br />
on your matter. Feel free to ask your<br />
lawyer what tasks they may delegate<br />
to these team members. Consider carbon<br />
copying clerks on your emails as<br />
they may be able to provide a quicker<br />
response. <strong>Your</strong> condominium deserves<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional service at all stages<br />
<strong>of</strong> the legal process and your confidence<br />
in the entire team is important.<br />
Furthermore, when your lawyer is<br />
temporarily unavailable, it is these<br />
team members who will be there to<br />
help you. Law firms with a strong<br />
team work ethic will pull together on<br />
your behalf to get things done.<br />
■ Set Fees Upfront<br />
At the beginning, always be upfront<br />
and inquire about the legal fees.<br />
Often a problem will erupt, and the<br />
property manager will call the condominium’s<br />
lawyer. Despite the repeated<br />
letters from the property manager, a<br />
unit owner continues to let his stereo<br />
reach glass-breaking volumes. The<br />
lawyer diligently takes notes during<br />
the phone call, the property manager<br />
asks for a strongly worded legal letter,<br />
and the conversation ends. Both<br />
the lawyer and the property manager<br />
have assumptions as to how much<br />
this letter will cost. There is an old adage<br />
about assumptions, and it holds<br />
true here as well. Unfortunately, for<br />
many, talking about money can be<br />
a touchy subject. When retaining a<br />
lawyer, it never should be. A lawyer<br />
should not be <strong>of</strong>fended if they are<br />
asked “and how much do you think<br />
the fees on this will be?” The goal<br />
is to avoid an invoice that surprises<br />
the property manager, <strong>of</strong>fends the<br />
board and leaves someone having an<br />
uncomfortable follow-up with the<br />
lawyer. Avoid problems down the<br />
line upfront, and nail down the fees<br />
at the start.<br />
■ Flat Fees<br />
Many lawyers in Ontario are beginning<br />
to <strong>of</strong>fer flat fee service. When<br />
you hop into a cab, the meter starts<br />
to run until you either reach your destination<br />
or run out <strong>of</strong> money. Oddly,<br />
when you call an airport limo, the fee<br />
is set up-front, despite traffic jams or<br />
unexpected detours. Always ask the<br />
lawyer if a flat fee is possible. For<br />
many condominium legal services,<br />
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■ 46 ■ CM CONDOMINIUM MANAGER MAGAZINE, SPRING 2012
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