Why Brown?
My goal is to minimize the impact of separation and wherever possible, maximize the opportunity for a creative resolution that benefits both parties. My practice is exclusively focused on out-of-court settlements; through negotiation, mediation, and collaborative practice.
Background
I was called to the bar in 2001 and have practiced exclusively in family law since 2004. In Guelph you can choose from sole practitioners to law firms with dozens of lawyers. I enjoy working by myself and have done so since 2007.
After 20 years in the courts, I decided to stop litigating to focus on my settlement practice. Court work has a way of consuming time and resources to the detriment of clients who aren’t experiencing a high level of conflict in their separation. When I was litigating, I was in court two or three days a week and sometimes in trial for weeks at a time and therefore unavailable for other clients. Since I stopped litigating, I have more control over my practice and have a more open and flexible schedule.
I limit the number of clients I act for which allows me to better serve the clients who retain me. As a sole practitioner, I do not have minimum billing requirements, nor do I have to justify the amount of time I spend on a case to anyone except my client.
A significant advantage in hiring me is the personal attention clients receive. We will communicate regularly on important issues and you will meet with me and not my assistant or a junior lawyer. Because I no longer spend several days a week in the court house I am accessible to clients in a way that was impossible when I was litigating. As a result, matters move quickly to resolution.
One of things that distinguishes me from other lawyers is my billing process. If you become a client, I will require you to maintain a financial retainer (i.e. money on deposit that I hold in my trust account) until the conclusion of your matter.
I bill according to the time I spend on your case and do not wait for certain milestones or results before sending a bill. I review my accounts every week and send bills to each client for whom I have invested more than $500 worth of time (Most lawyers bill monthly and some only send bills out when everything is finalized).
No one likes to receive a large bill. Regular billing helps avoid unpleasant surprises. In my experience regular billing helps remind clients of the cost of legal services which, in turn, encourages a business-like approach to the process.
I received training in mediating disputes at Harvard Law School’s Negotiation Institute in 2014.
I am a founding member of the Speed River Collaborative practice group. I was first trained in Collaborative Family Law in 2003 and have Level II and interdisciplinary training. I am a member of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals and attended the International Forums in 2011 and 2012.
I am a past executive member of the Wellington Law Association, having served as Secretary from 2004 to 2009. I am a past member of the Ontario Legal Aid Area Committee for Guelph and Wellington County and served as Chair from 2006 to 2009.
I have a B.A. (honors) in history from Western (1993) and an LLB from Western (1999).
Active in the community, I am a past member of the Guelph Museums Board of Management (1999 to 2009) and served as its Chair from 2005 to 2007.
Through my work on the New Museum Steering and Fundraising Committee I was involved in efforts to secure the former Loreto Convent for the new Guelph Civic Museum.
From 2013 until its dissolution in 2019 I was a volunteer Director of the Guelph Junction Railway, Canada’s largest municipally owned railway.
Active in the community, I am a past member of the Guelph Museums Board of Management (1999 to 2009) and served as its Chair from 2005 to 2007.
Through my work on the New Museum Steering and Fundraising Committee I was involved in efforts to secure the former Loreto Convent for the new Guelph Civic Museum.
From 2013 until its dissolution in 2019 I was a volunteer Director of the Guelph Junction Railway, Canada’s largest municipally owned railway.
I have volunteered with Immigrant Service of Guelph and Wellington and am a member of the Puslinch Optimists Club.
