How legal engagements work

I can’t act for you if it would conflict with my duties to another client. Before a consultation I check the names you give me against my records. If there is a conflict, I tell you that I can’t act, without saying why, and point you to the Law Society Referral Service.

You and I go through your matter, your options and what each would cost. You leave knowing what I would do and what it would cost, in writing.

If you and I agree to work together, I send an engagement letter. It says what I will do, what I won’t do, what it costs, and how either of us can end it. The work starts when you sign it. Some matters use a limited-scope engagement, where I do only a defined part of the work and you do the rest.

I quote fees up front, before you commit.

• A flat fee is a set price for a defined piece of work, plus HST and disbursements.
• For employment matters, a contingency fee: CAD 499 + 20% of what is recovered, plus HST and disbursements. The agreement uses the Law Society of Ontario’s standard contingency fee agreement form.
• Legal Aid certificates accepted for criminal defence matters. Legal Aid Ontario decides who qualifies for a certificate. The certificate pays my fees under Legal Aid Ontario’s tariff.

Money you pay before I have done the work is held in my trust account until it is earned.

Like every Ontario lawyer, I must identify my clients and, in some matters, verify their identity with documents. I will ask you for what the Law Society’s rules require.

Once your matter is open, you can see its status, court dates, documents, invoices and messages in your portal, and send me documents and messages there.

If you are unhappy with my service, tell me first at jonathan@mithril.law. You can also contact the Law Society of Ontario.