Leslie Smith:
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I spend most of my day on Civil Litigation in the areas of Employment Law, Personal Injury and General Litigation.
Within the area of Employment Law, I represent non-unionized employees and employers on issues arising before, during and after employment. I have vast experience with all types of employees from secretaries to presidents of companies and have reviewed hundreds of severance packages, non-competition agreements, share-option agreements and employment agreements, to name a few. About half of my wrongful dismissal clients involve constructive dismissals. My goal is always early settlement and in most cases, it is achieved to the satisfaction of my clients.
A second prominent area within my Civil Litigation practice is Personal Injury and Insurance Claims. My personal injury files concern injuries arising out slip and fall and occupier’s liability. The injuries I have dealt with have ranged from relatively minor fractures right through to acquired brain injury and wrongful death. I have settled nearly every personal injury file I have taken on and usually with the insurance adjuster.
Other Civil Litigation files I have had carriage of include:
Insurance - Property Claims
Insurance - Long Term Disability Claims
Solicitor’s Negligence
Dentist’s Negligence
Commercial Disputes
Debtor / Creditor
Estates
Real Estate
Canada Pension Plan Disability Appeals
Law Society Member Complaints
Access to Information / Privacy Appeals
I also practise Residential Real Estate and Wills and Estates. Real Estate Law includes acting on home purchases, sales and mortgaging. I meet personally with my client for the sign-up appointment. In the rare cases when things go wrong, my litigation experience is very helpful.
Within the area of Wills & Estates, I draft Simple Wills and Powers of Attorney for Property and/or Personal Care. I further act for Estate Trustees in the administration of an estate following death. This sometimes includes preparing Probate Applications.
Over the years I have had a number of complex and interesting estate administration files arising primarily out of badly drafted wills. I encourage everyone to call me to discuss having a Will and Power of Attorney for Property and Personal Care. While these items are not that expensive, they are critical to have particularly if you own a home and have children. Providing a clear road map for your loved ones following your death makes everyone’s life easier at a difficult time.
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Kevin Haxell
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Dealing with Separation and the Issues of "Custody", Access, Equalization, Support and Divorce (Kevin Haxell) - I know that dealing with a separation can be one of, if not the most traumatic experiences a person can go through. It is usually emotionally draining. Unfortunately, all to too often, it is also financially draining. My goal as a family law practitioner is to see you through the legal issues that arise and to provide you with cost effective results. I will work with you to prioritize your goals and then through negotiation, or, in those cases where there is no alternative, litigation, I will aggressively work to get you what is most important to you.
The issues in family law are usually so personal that you need to satisfy yourself that you have chosen the right lawyer before you pay that retainer. I am one of only a few lawyers in Halton who still provide a half-hour free consultation on family law cases. Satisfy yourself that you are putting this very difficult and very important part of your life in the right hands. For a free half-hour consultation, call 905.845-0767, Ext. 228 and speak to Vicki, my assistant.
The Negotiation of Separation Agreements, Cohabitation Agreements and Marriage Contracts (Kevin Haxell) - I believe that we should only involve the Courts in family law matters as a last resort. Negotiated settlements are far less taxing, emotionally and financially, for both parties. I endeavor to obtain the results that you want through, "four-way" settlement meetings, solicitor meetings, telephone conferences and effective letter writing. Since opening our new office in May of 2003, I have hosted numerous settlement meetings, the majority of which have resulted in signed Separation Agreements.
Cohabitation Agreements and Marriage Contracts are part of the "new reality". Rather than looking at them as testaments to our lack of faith in relationships, I prefer to view them as the means by which we eliminate money as a motivating factor in a long-term relationship. With a Cohabitation Agreement or Marriage Contract in place, no one can argue that "you are only with me for my money".
Buying, Selling and Mortgaging Property (Kevin Haxell) - We have the extreme good fortune of having a terrific staff of real estate secretaries. Whether you deal with Delphine, Lester, Luana or Rosan, you will be guided through the process of buying, selling or refinancing by a pleasant and entirely professional assistant. Then, when you come in to sign your closing documents, you will meet with me. For the twenty plus years that I had a real estate practice, I have always made it a point to go through those documents that you need to sign to effect your closing, with you. We pride ourselves on providing personal, professional real estate services at competitive rates. Please call me at 905.845-0767, Ext. 222, for more information on our fees and what disbursements you can expect on your purchase, sale or mortgage transaction.
Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estates (Kevin Haxell) - Some people feel comfortable having a Will that they prepared with "kit". For those who do not, I provide a Will that is personalized for you. I do not simply "fill in the blanks" on a precedent document. During our first meeting, we will establish your objectives and then determine the most cost-effective way of realizing those objectives. Drafts will be sent to you after our first meeting and then, during a second meeting with me, we will make any changes that you may want and attend to the execution of your Will. A Power of Attorney over Property and/or a Power of Attorney over Personal Care can be completed at the same time. To book that first appointment, please call 905.845-0767, and speak to Vicki at Ext. 228.
A lot of people do not realize that you have a choice as to which lawyer you wish to work with if you have been asked to be an Estate Trustee. A lot of people assume that you must retain the lawyer who prepared the deceased's Will. This simply not the case; you are free to retain whomever you feel comfortable working with. I believe in providing my client's with the degree of assistance that they feel is appropriate. In some cases, I have dealt with all the deceased's creditors on behalf of the Estate Trustee and searched for possible life insurance policies. In others, I have simply assisted in completing the Application for Letters Probate. In all instances, I believe I have approached my role with sensitivity and professionalism.
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