Firm: Portside Law Corporation
Profession: Lawyer
Phone: 604-545-6145
Website: https://portsidelaw.ca/
Email: mgangar@portsidelaw.ca
Address: #301 713 Columbia St., New Westminster, BC V3M 1B2
Primary Practice Location: New Westminster (but willing to travel)
Twitter:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
Remote Services:
· Phone
· Text
· Zoom or Google Meet
Types of Unbundled Services Offered
· Initial consultation
· Providing a legal opinion
· Drafting pleadings or other documents
· Reviewing/organizing/listing documents
· Coaching
· Negotiating
· Providing legal advice before, during or after mediation
· Representing a client at 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
· Preparing submissions or briefs
· Making a one-time court appearance
· Collaborative law services
Fee Arrangements:
· Hourly rate
· Discounted hourly rate
· Flat fee
Approach to Providing Unbundled Legal Services:
My approach to unbundled services is that I acknowledge that legal services can be expensive, and that is a privilege for many to have a lawyer retained long-term. The legal system can be complicated to navigate and my approach is to assist where I can, but also to practice with a trauma-informed lens.
As a newer call, my rates are lower than most, and I am open to providing services on a limited representation basis or unbundled. I already have some Legal Aid clients that fall into that category.
Mediation: I do not have family mediation training and have acted as counsel in 5 or fewer family mediations in the last 5 years.
Approach to Supporting Clients in Mediation:
My approach is to start broadly and then delve into each issue to get the details. Then, prioritize what the client actually needs against what they want. This is helpful in not only providing legal advice on the issues, but also working with the client to set realistic expectations, and focus on the issues that are the most important. This also helps in preparing mediation materials, settlement proposals etc. Also, empowering the client to speak at mediation as it is their file, and it is not always counsel that does all the speaking, they should have their say too.
Languages:
· English
· Basic spoken Punjabi (but high understanding)
Cultural Diversity Experience:
Through my Legal Aid file load, I have wide experience with handling clients from all ages, background, and socioeconomic levels. My approach is to be culturally aware, especially in family law, as there are usually various cultural practices and norms that clients have to consider before starting the court process and during it. It may influence the decisions that they make.
I am also from a South Asian background so I understand the need for culturally-sensitive practice.