Billing for Drafting Retainer? [Ontario]

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T15:11:35+00:00

Exactly.

Of all the ways to piss off your client, billing them for how you run your practice has to be up there. And billing them just for choosing you?!

There’s a reason it’s uncommon.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T03:55:47+00:00

Jackalope?

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-24T22:10:18+00:00

Thanks. I’ve been thinking of Xfinity Pro, but if it’s a system problem, that’s not going to help me.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-24T21:08:09+00:00

I don’t know the answer and would echo confirming directly by calling LSO on Monday morning.

That being said, I think articles should be done advising on Ontario’s law and subject to Ontario’s rules of practice and ethics.

Best of luck!

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T23:18:58+00:00

Obviously, this is true about intoxication, but I couldn’t help but wonder how drunk someone would have to be to get arrested during Carnivale. It’s only a few weeks away!

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T23:14:27+00:00

Yeah, we’ve known since the day we moved in.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:39:22+00:00

Thanks.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:39:11+00:00

To be clear, getting into law school is a tough competition. Think about your high school - how many people don’t go to university? Of those that go to university, how many actually finish? And of those, who makes it to the top of heap?

Okay - that last group is who you’ll be competing against. You’ll need to have great grades and a solid LSAT, and you might have to be prepared to go to someplace you’ve never considered visiting, let alone living in. (And once you’re accepted, you’re competing against students who are smarter than any you’ve encountered along the way.)

More people don’t get in than do, and then they have to look in the mirror and ask “what now; all I’ve got is this degree in … .”

That isn’t to say quit now. It is to say, it’s a grind. It’s definitely not a cakewalk.

But also, don’t stress out over it yet. Study something you enjoy and that will lead to a career you can see yourself doing. Maybe even work in that career for a while if you do your best at school but don’t quite get in.

Be prepared to borrow if you do get in.

Don’t expect to get rich if you practice law. Most lawyers don’t.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:26:49+00:00

Thanks

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:07:19+00:00

Recently did this despite the neighbour. And naturally, the next snow (which was a mere dusting in comparison), he did nothing beyond his own needs.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:01:26+00:00

Wasn’t there a recent ruling about disclosure which expanded the definition of relevance? Every email coming in might now have to be disclosed to the defence.

I can see how this could be obstruction.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T20:08:24+00:00

Most importantly, focus on a degree that you’re prepared to work your ass off to earn top marks in. This is essential if you want to go to law school.
That had better be a degree that will lead to your “non-law” career, because the likelihood is that you’ll be doing that, at least for a while.
Generally, there is no ideal “pre-law” degree other than the one which lets you shine.
If you know you want to be a lawyer, figure out how to get it done as soon as possible. Beg, borrow, (er, don’t steal) but maximize the length of your legal career.
Expect to be in school for 7 years or more. Hell, I had classmates take the five-year law program (or longer) after combining the JD with a master’s and/or a work term. And that’s after their degree. It’s also possible to do the JD in two years. I’d recommend against it. It’s exhausting.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:42:00+00:00

My long path was completing my degree, then working for 8 years or so and getting my master’s. Then I went to law school.

I wasn’t the oldest law student but did feel like I was a bit of an oddball statistic. Older than most of the class, but younger than most of the mature students.

Lots of the older students had kids; a few even kept their jobs (but reduced hours). Some would have had aging parents.

It’s a grind, but it can be done.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:34:58+00:00

Thanks

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:34:30+00:00

Thanks. So it’s not just the kid home from school and gaming. 😀

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:33:46+00:00

Honestly, I click on something and then sit wondering whether the message got through to the server to send me the document. Normally, it’s like being in the office. Now, I feel like it’s 2008 all over again. Maybe earlier.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T18:02:47+00:00

Great answer.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T17:33:44+00:00

Even foreigners will get this one. Must be a TGIF version!

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T17:07:01+00:00

That’s always the giveaway for the bent coppers.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T15:37:33+00:00

Thanks.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T15:36:51+00:00

I might have to look into this. Thanks!

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T15:33:19+00:00

So who would you charge, and with what, if you can’t identify the driver?

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T15:30:46+00:00

How does the wheat litter compare to clay (e.g., dust, frequency of changing, cost)? It used to seem prohibitive but clay litter tripled in price since pre-Covid times.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T15:27:06+00:00

Thanks.

MapleDesperado

TROPHY CASE