Lizzie Somerfield

New episode available today. 1. Sheila and Riley both travelled to Prague and both loved the city. They reminisce and exchange stories about their experiences. 2. Interview – Karen Redman is Regional Chair of Waterloo Region. Spiritual beliefs are important to her. Karen was raised in the Christian tradition. She has always felt that her religion is deeply personal. She meets people with different backgrounds and beliefs. Being an elected representative, she has become familiar with other faith traditions. There’s so much that unites us. There’s so much commonality between different religions. People want to be good to each other. They want to practice their faith and allow space for other people too. Karen wishes, especially post-pandemic, that we would all give other people the benefit of the doubt. We are in an inflationary period. People are worried about their jobs, their finances and their families. It helps to give people the benefit of the doubt, whether you agree or disagree with them. Her hope is that we are a bit more generous with people when we’re talking about topics, rather than seeing everything as black and white. 3. Flipside of the Coin – Sheila was inspired by an article about four reasons why couples should travel together. They are happier in their relationships. Women are less stressed. Many couples have more “love” in one week than in eight weeks when not travelling. Almost all who travel regularly feel closer in their relationship. Find it on the Episodes page on our website: https://lnkd.in/e_viU7CZ, or Spotify, Apple or Google Podcasts.⁠

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Charting Your Course: Mapping Legal Suite Permit Timelines! Get ahead of the curve with our insider's guide to legal suite permits in Edmonton! 🏠 Explore the streamlined process and discover how you can transform your property in record time. Join us and learn how to navigate the system like a pro!    El-Ray Noble Varshit Patel #LegalSuitePermits #Edmonton #Empowerment

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Please join us in extending a warm Coach My Case welcome to our new Vancouver legal coach, Anchal Gupta 🌟    An experienced and compassionate family lawyer, Anchal is passionate about empowering self-represented litigants.    Why choose Anchal for your legal coaching needs? She excels at simplifying complex family law processes and jargon, giving clients the skills and support they need to confidently represent themselves.    And she’s accepting new clients!    Reach out to book your free 20-minute consult with Anchal today [booking link in the comments].    #FamilyLaw #LegalCoaching #accesstojustice 

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Everything in your business is a process. No matter how big or small. I just was in a teams chat where my EA VA, Kai, tried to schedule a meeting with myself and another team member. The date proposed by her was a pre determined and approved vacation day for the person I wanted to schedule the call with. What comes to my mind is: 1. Why aren’t our vacation calendars synced internally across our businesses? 2. What is the protocol for the steps to take when scheduling an internal call? Then I write a task for a member of my team to solve these things. Every broken process is cumulative and takes away your team’s time to focus on what you need them to do.

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New episode available today. 1. The Canadian Mental Health Association gave a great tip – share a compliment. It’s free to give someone an authentic compliment and it brings joy. Give it a try. 2. We interview Rachel Runge in the area of Physical, but also General Wellness.⁠ Rachel tended to compare herself to others. It’s not surprising after she pursued a career as a lawyer. It’s competitive, staring with the competitive process to get into law school. Throughout law school, we’re reminded that it’s going to be difficult to find articling positions. Once we begin as a lawyer, we’re measured heavily on metrics. Rachel got advice to stop comparing herself to others and make small improvements in herself week over week and year over year. She thought, “That sounds nice, but how do you do it?” Meanwhile, she started taking group fitness classes at Orangetheory, which includes benchmark tests, such as a 1-mile run or 2,000 metre row. She saw her performance improve over time. In the middle of a run, the mentor’s advice hit her like a ton of bricks – to make small improvements in herself over time, and not to compare herself to others. She was running beside a friend who was trying to hit a faster time target. Rachel realized, “This is what it is”. She was just as excited for myself to hit her own target as she was for her friend to hit the faster target. That’s what Rachel’s mentor meant when she said stop comparing yourself to others. Check-in and see whether you’re doing better than you were last time. Then it resonated. 3. Starving Artist – an incoming text alert woke Cameron up to great news from a student. She had a breakthrough with her voice training and wanted to share. It gave Cameron a lift. 4. Move that Body – We’re often stuck at home. We found an article with suggestions about how to move while at home. 5. Running Popup – We’re seeing in our podcast conversations and interviews that becoming well is work, but it’s not a mystery. 6. Flipside of the Coin – it helps us to give space and time to our partner in a relationship. Find it on the Episodes page on our website: https://lnkd.in/e_viU7CZ, or Spotify, Apple or Google Podcasts.⁠

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Using mindset to have a productive day, build strong ties to your professional network and protect your work-life balance isn't an abstract idea. Scenarios that make this idea accessible are in this LegalMattersCanada article. Here's a short quote: '...“Just as a very practical example, a lawyer who is a people pleaser onboards a new client and just wants the client to like them,” Bekhor explains. “Because of that, they may do a poor job of managing expectations. The client then becomes very stressful to manage because they have many demands...' Join me at the Toronto Lawyers Association for a 1-hour Introduction to Mindset Mastery, on September 25 at noon. This program contains 1 hour of Professionalism content. https://lnkd.in/g3cm5NHh by Tony Poland #mindsetmastery #practicemanagement #goforyourgoals

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Are you in Ontario? The OHSA has been updated by explicitly recognizing that "workplace harassment" and "workplace sexual harassment" includes virtual activities (which it always did btw). Ryley Learning's sexual harassment eLearning courses include content on digital harassment. Need an update? Get in touch - we cover all US, Canada and UK requirements. #workplaceharassment #eLearning #compliance #ohsa

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Today is the first day of #ADHDAwareness month. I was diagnosed with #ADHD at age 33, and learning how to work with my brain has profoundly changed my life. But the cost of getting diagnosed and regular treatment is not covered by the Canada’s public health care system. ADHD women need this to change, not having access to regular therapy that is free is actively harming us. 🧠 Mental health care should be a right in Canada, not a luxury. As someone who has worked in the #nonprofit mental health space in fund development since 2021, I know a lot about the barriers to access in #WaterlooRegion. But even with this knowledge, I’ve spent $13,000 on my own therapy and private psychiatry after being unable to get the help I needed. I advocated, I fought for care, and the system harmed me for not taking no for an answer. I’ve had to sacrifice other parts of my life to afford the treatment that keeps me well. I see the same struggle reflected in what’s happening to Millennials and Gen Z today. This article from CBC highlights how the rising cost of living is pushing therapy out of reach for young people. They’re being forced to choose between their financial stability and their mental health—a choice no one should have to make: https://lnkd.in/g6rsvrkj For those of us managing conditions like ADHD and PMDD, care isn’t optional, it’s lifesaving. Yet, like so many others, I’ve had to give up so much just to access it. The truth is, we need a system where mental health care is affordable and accessible for all, not a privilege for those who can afford to pay out of pocket. I could not afford to *not* get help, I lost the will to live in 2022 after getting fired by my primary care provider, and I have $30,000 in personal debt to show for it. And that is an immense privilege many others who are struggling do not have. This crisis is real, and it’s hitting young people hard. We can’t keep ignoring the financial barriers that are keeping people from getting the care they need. This is true for everyone, but especially those of us who are late diagnosed neurodivergent. Our symptoms are manageable, but not without support. #MentalHealthMatters #ADHD #PMDD #GenZ #Millennials #Therapy #CostOfLiving #MentalHealthAccess

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Here are my thoughts on the current misunderstandings surrounding the concept and definition of inclusion. History has shown that we are better as a society when we allow everyone to prosper. But there is still work to be done. Statistics show that certain leadership roles (superintendents, government officials, etc.) are still overwhelmingly white and male. I have personally been involved in many public and private organizations that have embraced diversity efforts and have evolved stronger than ever due to those efforts. So, there is no reason to pull back programs and efforts to increase diversity throughout our society, clearly there is still a need to “help EVERYONE develop their talents and use their gifts for the good of the community.” Do not get caught up in the culture wars. Remember that inclusivity brings progress and evolution, not exclusivity.

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As #mothersday approaches, give the moms in your life a break, they need and deserve it. To my lawyer colleagues who are also moms, I don’t know how you do it, maybe a little bit of this? “Wake up at 5 a.m. Hide from your children. Lock yourself in the bedroom. These are some of the more common tips and tricks often suggested online to moms who want time to themselves.” https://lnkd.in/gbCrhFWM

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Check out the latest blog post from the Collaborative Association of the Lower Mainland (CALM):

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Sell what you do/use. Refer people to companies or firms you’d refer your grandma to. I learned the hard way a few years ago by recommending a product I didn't use myself. It was a mistake that tarnished my brand. Since then, I've changed my approach. I now only promote what I actively use. When I offer staffing solutions for your business, it's because I believe in them wholeheartedly and utilize them in my own operations. I exclusively endorse products and tools that are part of my current workflow. My referrals are reserved for sources I trust and actively engage with – individuals or entities that I rely on for my own needs. Authenticity is key in sales and referrals. You can't effectively advocate for something you're not personally invested in. #authenticity #sales #referrals

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🚨 Big news alert! 🚨 📝 The BC legal field is buzzing with the recent approval of 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟮𝟭 - 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁, which received Royal Assent on May 16. This groundbreaking legislation is set to shake up the legal landscape by introducing regulated paralegals as a new legal service provider. ⚖️ This move holds promise for increased access to justice and more affordable legal services for individuals and communities across British Columbia. 📜 But wait, there's more! The Law Society of British Columbia has swiftly initiated a challenge against the Bill citing significant concerns with the impact it may have over the independence of the Bar. The Association's position is that "Regulated paralegals will assist people throughout British Columbia who are barred from accessing traditional legal services. Paralegals in B.C., represented by the BCPA, have crucial and necessary legal expertise and handle matters across all practice areas, but remain widely unrecognized in the legal profession. The BCPA is looking forward to consulting with the new working group to establish a scope of practice for regulated paralegals, which is key to providing accessible, independent legal services in the public’s best interest". 🔗 To read more about Bill 21, click on the link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/gPj4S9bR 💬 Now, here's where you come in! We want to hear your take on this momentous development. What are your initial impressions of Bill 21 and its implications? How do you envision regulated paralegals shaping the future of legal services in our province? Join the conversation and share your insights below! 💬✨ #Bill21 #LegalInnovation #BCPA #BCParalegal #VancouverLegalNews

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Are you looking to enhance your insolvency services and offer more value to your clients? Partnering with legal professionals can provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate complex cases with ease. By integrating legal expertise into your practice, you can deliver more comprehensive solutions and build stronger client relationships. At Brunet Law, we’re dedicated to helping accountants and bookkeepers succeed in managing insolvency. Our legal team is ready to collaborate and provide the support you need to excel in your role. Curious about how our legal expertise can complement your services? Visit our website at www.brunetlaw.com.au or reach out to us directly to discuss how we can assist you in delivering exceptional client outcomes. #Insolvency #LegalCollaboration #FinancialExperts #BrunetLaw

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Check out this brilliant tool! https://lnkd.in/gsCRnYaA It's a volunteer-run project that pulls all the Court Contacts, Notices to the Profession, and Practice Directions for each Ontario Family Law Court and compiles them into a neat little list. It's a super useful way to find consolidated information rather than crawling through the labyrinth of the Ontario Courts website looking for the info. Caveat - it's family law-focused and, in a lawyerly manner, I make no representations about the completeness or accuracy of the content. I just think it's a much-needed resource and I wish there was one for the civil side (or, even better, that there was one consistent and consolidated set of rules).

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Folks have been wondering where I stand so I'll share. As many of you know, I coach several RCICs and I have come out in the past, taking perhaps a dissenting/divergent opinion, in support of the benefits of immigration consultants to aid access-to-justice, diversity, and cost of service issues. So, rather than paint every RCIC with the same broad brush stroke, I think there are two more important questions at play for all immigration representatives to consider moving forward: (1) How to enforce a clearer SHARED culture of disclosure around fraudulent schemes. We can debate on competence until the cows come home (especially in this AI age - is writing/disclosing more actually more competent), but if someone is literally putting together schemes and either an RCIC or a lawyer uncovers it, it needs to be reported. FULL STOP. Of course, whether something is a scheme or an overpriced, market package is itself a challenging question. However, there need to be some standards for all practitioners on the 'do's' and 'don'ts' Right now, jurisdictionally and for many reasons reporting practitioner malpractice is unnecessarily barriered and, as such, is not serving as a necessary deterence. Many ghosts/agents are similarly able to hide their work through a representative behind the scenes - the name of a Canadian-based business or practitioner that doesn't actually do the work/supervise. Of course, the complicating factor here is that there are many self-reps who do in fact want advice but don't want representation nor want having to disclose that they sought a lawyers/consultant's help. Make clearer that these potential third-party links will be investigated where fraud is alleged, and more accessible the ways to disclose for example when someone has provided advice but is not the representative. Enforcement does need to be stronger and I think that is one reason why lawyers who are under strict (albeit often delayed) governance perceive the College's disciplinary processes as being much weaker. More education would help. (2) Perhaps we can start talking about division of expertise Maybe immigration lawyers need to move beyond filing bulk work permit, visitor records, spousals, and study permits and jump into work that may require some additional legal training (judicial reviews, more complex inadmissibility, broader areas of admin law etc.). Perhaps that immigration expertise is combined wtih some other area of law to provide additional value-add advice (e.g. Employment/Business or Crimmigration Lawyers) Similarily, for those RCICs that are choosing to dabble in areas that they should not (filing JRs, for example), there could be efforts to enforce staying in one's own lane. I do get frustrated when I get approached by RCICs asking if I can fee split or enter into a financial arrangement with them on JR files. There needs to be some understanding that this isn't how things work. Overall, dialoguing not disparaging is the start.

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