Firm: Shukla Law Corporation
Profession: Lawyer
Phone: 778-949-2408
Website: www.shuklalaw.ca
Email: Juhi@shuklalaw.ca
Address: 300-10905 McKenzie Ave, Victoria, BC V8P 2L5
Primary Practice Location: Victoria
Twitter:
Facebook:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuklaj/
Fee Arrangements:
· Hourly rate
· Flat fee
· Flat fee with conditions
Remote Services:
· Phone
Languages:
· English
· Hindi
· Urdu
· Can communicate with a Punjabi speaker
Types of Unbundled Services Offered
Initial consultation
Providing a legal opinion
Drafting pleadings or other documents
Reviewing/organizing/listing documents
Drafting contracts / agreements
Coaching
Providing legal advice before, during or after mediation
Providing independent legal advice on an agreement or MOU coming out of mediation
Drafting agreement coming out of mediation
Advising on courtroom procedures, behaviours
Advising on rules of evidence
Preparing exhibits
Approach to Providing Unbundled Legal Services:
When I began my practice, my invoices gave me sticker-shock, and I came to realize that I couldn't afford myself as a lawyer. This did not then nor does it not now sit right with me. I have always offered my clients a way reduce their legal bill by taking on tasks themselves. I think it is only natural to only provide what services and expertise a client needs. During consultations, I explain to my clients what they can do to reduce their bill, as well as what approach can work best for their means and ability. I will point out where having a lawyer speak for you is most effective (ex. a demand letter), where it may not be worth the cost (ex. small claims actions), and where it may actually hurt (ex. a client with young children at the "thinking about separation" stage). The big decision for my clients is usually if they want legal representation ("you take care of this") or just legal advice ("what should I do"), or something in between. I am happy that my approach fits the "unbundling" trend and that there is now a growing community around this approach.
Mediation: Does not have mediation training. Has acted as counsel in 10 - 15 mediations in the last five years.
Approach to Supporting Clients in Mediation
There are pros and cons to having counsel at mediation. While with counsel the parties can walk away with an enforceable agreement, I find that sometimes counsel can hinder the process by posturing for their clients. There are also cases where mediation just does not work because parties don't truly commit to the process of negotiation. I think in those situations, mediation-arbitration is a better approach for family law (as compared to both stand-alone mediation as well as litigation) because parties know that if do not negotiate, they will be putting the decision in the hands of the mediator-arbitrator.
Cultural Diversity Experience
I am an East Indian woman and have moved around somewhat. I have lived in various socio-economic structures, and have had the opportunity to study in different programs at different institutions. I am lucky to have an appreciation and an understanding of cultural differences, language barriers, different point of views, and varied intellectual approaches. Because how integral these things are to a family unit, I am well situated to help different kinds of families move forward, whatever moving forward means to them. I have received several referrals from fellow lawyers, social workers, and other clients because of this. The ability to speak a client's language, predict the opposing party's response, but most importantly being in a place to understand, has really helped both myself and my clients deal with the legal conflict in the most effective and least painful way.