Friends,
Appreicate all of your continued support, advice and/or opinions.
I have consulted numerous reputable counsels locally and out of town. Some of these lawyers include very reputable lawyer from Toronto and a trial lawyer from hamilton who has very good reputation before Justice Pazaratz - the Hamilton lawyer knows my local judge that is presiding over my hearing. They have reviewed the documents and have all stated I'm on the right track with my case and have genuine issues to argue for joint custody and shared custody. They have stated the case will proceed with the focus hearing, at which point I could request OCL or section 30 and proceed with amending my pleadings and setting a trial date. Some have said I should set the trial date now and push for it - some records from child's counselors have blocked out comments - I was advised this information will need to be unfiltered if the matter goes to trial.
Many of these lawyers have oponionated that I don't need a lawyer at this stage and won't until the records from POLICE and CAS are released and when my factum is due. Even then, the lawyers can do the factums and prepare all the documents and I can attend my self.
I really wish to go ahead with the lawyer in Hamilton Ontario. Only thing holding me back is that I was told, by a counselor (very educated and experienced), that it would be better for me to retain local counsel - that local counsel would have better relationship with the judge - and that the judge may very well change and the out of town lawyer may not know that judge - this is of course from the perspective of a mental health professional.
I was advised by other lawyers that it doesn't matter whether the lawyer knows the judge or not, it all comes down to the facts of the case.
I am in this big massacare of who to retain, they are all experienced reputable lawyers with good reviews.
Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not to kneen on new lawyers, while they do have a lot of time on their hand, they will very likely blank out against arguments that are made by senior experienced counsel on the other side.
Appreicate all of your continued support, advice and/or opinions.
I have consulted numerous reputable counsels locally and out of town. Some of these lawyers include very reputable lawyer from Toronto and a trial lawyer from hamilton who has very good reputation before Justice Pazaratz - the Hamilton lawyer knows my local judge that is presiding over my hearing. They have reviewed the documents and have all stated I'm on the right track with my case and have genuine issues to argue for joint custody and shared custody. They have stated the case will proceed with the focus hearing, at which point I could request OCL or section 30 and proceed with amending my pleadings and setting a trial date. Some have said I should set the trial date now and push for it - some records from child's counselors have blocked out comments - I was advised this information will need to be unfiltered if the matter goes to trial.
Many of these lawyers have oponionated that I don't need a lawyer at this stage and won't until the records from POLICE and CAS are released and when my factum is due. Even then, the lawyers can do the factums and prepare all the documents and I can attend my self.
I really wish to go ahead with the lawyer in Hamilton Ontario. Only thing holding me back is that I was told, by a counselor (very educated and experienced), that it would be better for me to retain local counsel - that local counsel would have better relationship with the judge - and that the judge may very well change and the out of town lawyer may not know that judge - this is of course from the perspective of a mental health professional.
I was advised by other lawyers that it doesn't matter whether the lawyer knows the judge or not, it all comes down to the facts of the case.
I am in this big massacare of who to retain, they are all experienced reputable lawyers with good reviews.
Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not to kneen on new lawyers, while they do have a lot of time on their hand, they will very likely blank out against arguments that are made by senior experienced counsel on the other side.
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