Presented with Safety Award of Excellence by the Ontario Safety League
Most Frequently Recommended by Lexpert in personal injury
Accolades
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2011
2012
2015
2016
2019
2021
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2011
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2012
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2015
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2016
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2019
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2021
Embracing change for clients’ sake
Patrick Brown is bullish about virtual technology. The benefits for his personal injury practice at McLeish Orlando have been evident since the pandemic brought about a communication revolution.
“When the internet came, it dramatically changed the accessing of information and the way you could practice law and handle files,” he says. “COVID has been the biggest game-changer since the internet.”
Brown says the widespread adoption of virtual meetings has improved the experience for clients, lawyers, and the justice system in countless ways.
“I can’t imagine anybody not wanting it, because of the efficiencies it creates in the system.”
Brown says his number-one priority is his clients, and for them, the benefits of virtual technology are apparent from the time they first contact his firm.
Before COVID, clients would meet an intake coordinator and then a lawyer. Brown would occasionally visit them in the hospital or the trauma unit, but almost always one-on-one.
Now, Brown says, potential clients can meet the entire team if they choose a virtual call, which the vast majority do.
“When we’re doing the meeting now, I have the whole team there. So my team can all introduce themselves. They can explain their roles, and the client or the potential client gets to meet them. I love that the client has a connection to different individuals involved in the case. And it didn’t happen like that before.”
Brown says potential clients can also have a loved one or pet with them, which can help them feel more comfortable.
After an intake, McLeish Orlando will determine whether they want to take the case. “Unfortunately we cannot take on every case and have the benefit of being selective.
“We’ve all been getting used to doing virtual discoveries and how to deal with documents. I think everybody’s found it quite easy. We’re not finding that it’s in any way ineffective.”
Clients can also do discoveries at home in a more comfortable environment like that of the virtual intake process. And when Brown has downtime, he can work on other client files without any interruptions for travel time.
“I can’t see many people wanting to do in-person discoveries. I really can’t. I think the insurance companies dictating the costs will not want their lawyers to incur the travel costs associated with that.”
Brown says other parts of the litigation process, like mediations and pre-trials, are well suited to virtual communication. He even predicts that judges will become more comfortable doing virtual judge-only trials.
Brown says only jury trials are not suited to virtual communication in the personal injury process.
“You can’t do them virtually,” says Brown. “And I don’t know of a system they’re going to develop to allow that.”
When the pandemic hit, the courts prioritized other matters, such as criminal and family law cases, so he says the delays in civil jury trials have only gotten worse.
For Brown, though, there is a solution to that: eliminate jury trials.
“Hopefully, the powers that be [will] take a good hard look at getting rid of jury trials in Ontario. That would at least open up the ability to get rid of this backlog, have fewer costs in the system, and make it more functional.”
Brown says McLeish Orlando didn’t miss a beat, despite the pandemic challenges, as they adjusted to the new virtual-first approach.
“We were fortunate to have a fully functioning system where all our staff could work remotely, and there’d be no difference whether they’re sitting at their desk or at home.”
Brown says the firm has been paperless for 20 years, and all their time management systems were in place when the pandemic began, allowing lawyers to work from anywhere.
The firm did not have to reduce staff and chose to stay a similar size to ensure they focused on what they do best.
After client service, Brown says his main priority is mentoring younger lawyers.
He sees an exciting future for young lawyers in the wake of the pandemic communication revolution.
“I think it should hopefully open more access to them to be able to do trials, but it might be in a different way from what we were traditionally used to.”
Brown now sees far fewer lawyers and staff in the office on weekends, but this is not because they are less productive. “I just think things are more efficient.”
Young lawyers, he says, now have much more flexibility than when Brown started practising law. “They’ll be able to be in places they want to be but still function and practice to the degree they want.” These benefits are especially evident for lawyers who start families and want to be close to home.
Brown’s main advice for lawyers looking to succeed in this brave new virtual world is to think progressively.
“You might lose some things, meaning a virtual discovery might not be as good because you can’t look into the eyes of the individual directly and see if they’re credible or not. You’re losing something there, fair enough. But what you’re picking up in the sense of cost savings and having things move forward expeditiously far outweighs what you’re losing.”
Spotlight
“We’ve always envisioned trying to keep a very limited number of cases in our cabinets to do quality control. Low volume, high quality has always been the philosophy.”
Brown’s cases involve children, spinal cord, traumatic brain, and biking/cycling injuries, wrongful death, boating, daycare, and camp negligence, drowning, road disrepair, motor vehicle collisions, and medical malpractice. He is also past president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, is head of Bikelaw Canada, and is past chair and director of the Ontario Safety League.
Brown says the virtual technology revolution has also dramatically improved his clients’ experience through the entire litigation process, beginning with discoveries.
McLeish Orlando is a Toronto personal injury law firm representing people who have been seriously injured and family members who have lost a loved one through the negligence of others. McLeish Orlando is a recognized leader in wrongful death and personal injury law. We represent people who have suffered brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and serious orthopaedic injuries. We strive for a fair settlement and the best possible results for our clients, with locations in Toronto, Barrie, Hamilton, Kitchener, St. Catharines, and Sault Ste. Marie.
Main areas of personal injury practice: cycling accidents, long-term disability, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, car accidents, product liability, occupiers’ liability, sports injuries.
Law Firm Profile
3
Associates
6
PARTNERS
1999
FOUNDED
44
SUPPORT STAFF
Bio
Spotlight
Milestones
Media
Accolades
Law Firm Profile
Years of Experience
25+ years
Fast Facts
Past president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Initiated the most comprehensive coroner's review of pedestrian and cycling deaths in Ontario
Patrick Brown
Principal partner at McLeish Orlando
COVID caused a fundamental change in how lawyers and the justice system handled personal injury cases, and Patrick Brown at McLeish Orlando says the benefits for clients are manifold
Read on
“When the internet came, it dramatically changed the accessing of information and the way you could practice law and handle files. COVID has been the biggest game-changer since the internet”
Patrick Brown,
McLeish Orlando
“We’ve always envisioned trying to keep a very limited number of cases in our cabinets to do quality control. Low volume, high quality has always been the philosophy”
Patrick Brown,
McLeish Orlando
Share
Named Active Transportation Champion of the Year by Toronto Centre for Active Transportation
Presented with Safety Award of Excellence by the Ontario Safety League
Most Frequently Recommended by Lexpert in personal injury
Accolades
Fundserv is the indispensable connectivity hub for the Canadian investment industry. Headquartered in Toronto, we electronically connect Manufacturers, Distributors, and Intermediaries, enabling them to buy, sell, and transfer investment funds. With more than 100 employees, Fundserv serves hundreds of members—executing up to 63 million yearly network transactions—and provides online access to more than 70,000 investment fund products.
Established in 1993, Fundserv is a private corporation that is owned by the industry we serve. Our 10 shareholders are a cross-section of Manufacturers, Distributors, and Service Providers who represent our members.
We operate using a cost-recovery model, meaning any unused profit may be rebated back to our members. In addition to our network and applications, we lead and facilitate industry committees and working groups that promote automation initiatives and establish the industry’s electronic standards.
By ensuring every trade is processed timely, accurately, and securely, Fundserv has rightfully earned a reputation for service excellence—a hallmark of more than 25 years in the investment industry.
Law Firm Profile
“When the internet came, it dramatically changed the accessing of information and the way you could practice law and handle files. COVID has been the biggest game-changer since the internet”
Patrick Brown,
McLeish Orlando
“We’ve always envisioned trying to keep a very limited number of cases in our cabinets to do quality control. Low volume, high quality has always been the philosophy”
Patrick Brown,
McLeish Orlando
Years of Experience
25
Fast Facts
Past president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Initiated the most comprehensive coroner’s review of pedestrian and cycling deaths in Ontario
Karen Adams
President and CEO at Fundserv
Before becoming CEO of Fundserv, Karen Adams held a variety of leadership roles around the world – and she learned that listening and understanding are key to both providing service and developing talent
Read on
Share
Share
Named Active Transportation Champion of the Year by Toronto Centre for Active Transportation
Presented with Safety Award of Excellence by the Ontario Safety League
Most Frequently Recommended by Lexpert in personal injury
Accolades
Fundserv is the indispensable connectivity hub for the Canadian investment industry. Headquartered in Toronto, we electronically connect Manufacturers, Distributors, and Intermediaries, enabling them to buy, sell, and transfer investment funds. With more than 100 employees, Fundserv serves hundreds of members—executing up to 63 million yearly network transactions—and provides online access to more than 70,000 investment fund products.
Established in 1993, Fundserv is a private corporation that is owned by the industry we serve. Our 10 shareholders are a cross-section of Manufacturers, Distributors, and Service Providers who represent our members.
We operate using a cost-recovery model, meaning any unused profit may be rebated back to our members. In addition to our network and applications, we lead and facilitate industry committees and working groups that promote automation initiatives and establish the industry’s electronic standards.
By ensuring every trade is processed timely, accurately, and securely, Fundserv has rightfully earned a reputation for service excellence—a hallmark of more than 25 years in the investment industry.
Law Firm Profile
Years of Experience
25
Fast Facts
Past president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Initiated the most comprehensive coroner’s review of pedestrian and cycling deaths in Ontario
Karen Adams
President and CEO at Fundserv
Career highlight
Before becoming CEO of Fundserv, Karen Adams held a variety of leadership roles around the world – and she learned that listening and understanding are key to both providing service and developing talent
Read on
“When the internet came, it dramatically changed the accessing of information and the way you could practice law and handle files. COVID has been the biggest game-changer since the internet”
Patrick Brown,
McLeish Orlando
“We’ve always envisioned trying to keep a very limited number of cases in our cabinets to do quality control. Low volume, high quality has always been the philosophy”
Patrick Brown,
McLeish Orlando
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Named Active Transportation Champion of the Year by Toronto Centre for Active Transportation
2008
2012
2018
2019
2022
President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
2008
Active Transportation Champion of the Year Award 2012, presented in the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation for pro bono counsel for initiating and conducting 2012 coroner's review into cycling and pedestrian deaths
2012
Safety Award of Excellence by the Ontario Safety League, presented by the Minister of Transportation
Ontario Brain Injury Association Professional Award for outstanding support of individuals living with brain injuries in Ontario
2018
Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
2019
Fellowship into the Litigation Counsel of America
2022
Milestones
2008
2012
2018
2019
2022
President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
2008
Active Transportation Champion of the Year Award 2012 presented by the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation for pro bono counsel for initiating and conducting 2012 Coroners Review into Cycling and Pedestrian Deaths
2012
Safety Award of Excellence by the Ontario Safety League, presented by the Minister of Transportation
Ontario Brain Injury Association Professional Award for outstanding support of individuals living with brain injuries in Ontario
2018
2019: Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
2019
Fellowship into the Litigation Counsel of America
2022
Milestones
2008
2012
2018
2019
2022
President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
2008
Active Transportation Champion of the Year Award 2012 presented by the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation for pro bono counsel for initiating and conducting 2012 Coroners Review into Cycling and Pedestrian Deaths
2012
Safety Award of Excellence by the Ontario Safety League, presented by the Minister of Transportation
Ontario Brain Injury Association Professional Award for outstanding support of individuals living with brain injuries in Ontario
2018
2019: Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
2019
Fellowship into the Litigation Counsel of America
2022
Milestones