The Lawyers
Peter
Lillico | Garnet Kent | Stephen Bazuk | Peg
Galloway
Hints for Choosing the Right
Lawyer
Peter Lillico was called to the bar in
Ontario in 1979. He attended Queen's University and McMaster University
for undergraduate work, then received his law degree from the University
of Windsor.
Peter's practice is concentrated in the areas
of Estate Planning, Business and Corporate Law, and Real Estate.
Peter is a Past President of the Peterborough Law
Association. He is also a founding member of the Peterborough Estate
Planning Council.
In addition to his practice, Peter teaches law courses
at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough. He was instrumental in
establishing the Legal Administration program at the College, and served
as the Chair of the Program Advisory Committee for several years.
Peter writes on legal topics for several publications.
He has a weekly column in Peterborough This Week entitled
"Legal Lines."
He is a
frequent contributor to Cottage Life Magazine, providing advice
and resources for legal and estate concerns. He has written articles on
estate planning topics for Good Times Magazine. He has been
featured in several episodes of Cottage Life Television on estate
planning issues for cottage owners. As well, he has appeared on open
line shows on legal matters for ommunity telelvision and local radio
programming.
Peter is very active in presenting educational seminars.
He regularly conducts workshops on corporate legal concerns for the
Credit Union Central of Ontario. He has been the keynote speaker at the
Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations annual meeting in 1994 and
1995. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture retains him to present
seminars to professionals and farmers on legal topics ranging from farm
financing and credit management, to farm succession planning. He has
participated in HomeBuyer Information Seminars for Kawartha Credit Union
and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as well as the Ontario Real
Estate Association. He frequently is requested to prepare and conduct
educational seminars on estate planning and other legal topics for
community organization as a public service.
Send Email to Peter Lillico
Garnet Kent was born and raised in Toronto,
Ontario. He received an Honours BA in Economics from the University of
Toronto in 1978. He was awarded a scholarship to Queen's University at
Kingston, Ontario to pursue a Masters Degree in Economics which he
received in 1979. Garnet received his LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School
in 1982, and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1984.
Garnet is involved in community projects and is the Past
Chair of the Employment Planning and Counseling Centre in Peterborough.
Garnet's legal interests include business law, civil
litigation and real estate.
Send Email to Garnet Kent
Stephen
Bazuk
Stephen Bazuk is a native of Belleville,
Ontario. He received an Honours BA in Political Science at Carleton
University in Ottawa in 1974. He pursued his legal studies at the
University of Ottawa, and received his LLB in 1977. He was called to the
Bar of Ontario in 1979.
Stephen is a Past President of the Peterborough
Provincial Liberal Association. He is a supporter of the Ontario Major
Junior A Hockey League champion Peterborough Petes.
Stephen's legal interests are in criminal and civil
litigation, and estate law.
Send Email to Stephen Bazuk
Peg Galloway was called to the Ontario
Bar in February of 1996, and joined the firm as an associate lawyer in
general practice of law in June of that year. Peg entered the
partnership in May 2000.
Peg studied English Literature at the University of
Alberta and graduated Dalhousie Law School in 1994. While completing her
law degree, Peg served as a clinic student for the Crown Attorney's
office in Halifax, assisting in criminal prosecutions and Crown appeals.
Peg performed her articles with the law firm of Soloway,
Wright, Victor Barristers & Solicitors in Ottawa, where she
practiced family and criminal law on a daily basis, and engaged in
substantial civil litigation work. She also undertook assignments in the
areas of real estate, administrative law, business and estates law.
While Peg is well equipped to carry on a general practice of law, she
maintains a special interest in family law, and estates planning and
administration.
Send Email to Peg Galloway
Lawyers are permitted to practise in all areas of law,
but in reality, every lawyer has areas of law in which he or she is more
experienced and comfortable. How do you find the lawyer who is right for
you?
First of all, it may be useful to ask people you trust
for a referral. If someone from your family, a friend, or a business
acquaintance is sufficiently pleased with their lawyer to recommend him
or her to you, then that lawyer will merit consideration. However, don't
just accept the judgement of others. You should certainly contact that
lawyer directly to form your own opinion.
This process in itself may be a valuable learning
experience. Ask yourself: when you phone the lawyer to initiate contact,
do you get through to the lawyer, or are you "screened off" by the
staff? Of course at the time you call, the lawyer may be out of the
office or meeting with another client. If so, then you should leave a
message requesting a call back. Does the lawyer return your call, and if
so how soon? If not for a day or two, then you must consider how
promptly you will be able to get a response if you need urgent legal
advice in the future.
When you do speak with the lawyer, discuss the type of
services you need. Ask the lawyer how much of that type of law they do
-- make sure that you do not retain a strictly real estate lawyer for
your criminal defence, or vice versa.
Another topic that should be covered at an early stage
is the cost of the services. Some matters, like real estate deals, are
usually done for a fixed fee plus disbursements. Others, like
litigation, are entirely dependent on the actual time spent. Even in the
latter situation, the lawyer should be able to quote you their hourly
rate and estimate the costs for at least the preliminary stages.
This initial dialogue can also provide an opportunity
for another useful assessment. Does the lawyer provide you with just the
minimum information requested, or take the time to discuss and explain
things for you? If the lawyer is thorough and helpful at this point, he
ore she is likely to remain so throughout the lawyer-client
relationship. It is crucial that there be good communication, and it is
the lawyer's responsibilty to ensure that the client understands.
While these tips may not guarantee that the lawyer you
choose is right for you, they will certainly increase your chance of
establishing a satisfactory and lasting professional
association.
