The Other Lawyer

Hi, my name is Bo Luan and I am an associate here at Feldstein Family Law Group. Today, I will be speaking about the lawyer who is representing your former spouse.

We all like to think of ourselves as being reasonable, principled, and knowledgeable. However, sometimes our reasoning clashes with the reasoning of the lawyer on the other side of a matrimonial dispute.

As a client, you have done your research and retained the lawyer of your choice. You may have met with five other family law lawyers before you retained your current lawyer realizing that they were the best fit for you. Unfortunately, what you cannot do is choose your spouse’s lawyer.

Every lawyer takes their own unique approach to resolving a matter. Some lawyers may be more adversarial, while others take a more collaborative approach. As such, how your matter unfolds not only depends on the approach taken by you, but that taken by your former spouse. Regardless of our previous contact with a specific lawyer or law firm, it is important to understand that we do not allow that interaction to affect how we handle your matrimonial matter.

After the first exchange of correspondence or upon your first four-way meeting, you will have an indication of the approach taken by opposing counsel. It is at this point in time when your lawyer may advise you of the best way to proceed in your matter. However, in some cases, your lawyer may be very familiar with the approach taken by certain counsel and adjust their approach accordingly. In other words, your lawyer may have an idea whether your matter will settle or be litigated based on who your former spouse chose to retain. It is your lawyer’s responsibility to advise you of the avenues that will protect your interests and resolve your matter in the most effective manner.

It is therefore important that you retain a lawyer who you are comfortable with and whose advice you trust. However, the resolution of your matter not only depends upon who you retain but who your spouse chooses to retain as well.

Should you require more information and wish to schedule a consultation please visit our website at www.separation.ca or contact our office at 905-581-7222.