CONDOCENTRIC: The Shortage of Lawyers in Kingston

In a letter to Shirley Ballantyne, a member of the ACMO Regional Committee in Kingston, Richard Elia, LL.B., addressed the apparent problem of a shortage of experience condominium lawyers in the Kingston area.  A copy of Elia’s letter was received by CM Condominium Manager and we think it will be of interest to other condominium managers and directors in the Ontario regions.

I read with great interest your article, “Managers Have Fewer Choices of Contractors or Professionals in Kingston” in the fall issue of CM Condominium Manager magazine (page 16).  You indicated that among other matters increasing costs to individual condominium outside of the GTA, there was an evident lack of local lawyers with the necessary level of experience or familiarity with condominium law.

Condominium law is a very narrow and highly-specialized field of practice.  By necessity, lawyers practicing primarily in this area must position themselves where they can be most accessible to the majority of their clients, and prospective clients.  If the market existed and could support a practice, I can assure you that many lawyers, myself included, would welcome the opportunity to practice in a community as beautiful as Kingston, Ontario.

I am well aware of the issue that condominiums outside Toronto do not always have ready access to qualified contractors and professionals; however, in so far as legal services are concerned, with the proficient use of electronic communications, lack of proximity should no longer be a primary deterrent.

In opening my own office recently, one of my primary objectives was to have the flexibility to best meet the needs of individual condominiums – including those not within the GTA.  Notwithstanding the physical distance between Toronto and Kingston, I can see no valid reason why, again given the advancements in electronic communications, arrangement cannot be established for the provision of competent legal services at competitive costs.

READER QUESTIONS, Reserve Fund Deficiency Article in CM, “The Shortage of Lawyers in Kingston”<

From “Condominium Manager (CM) Magazine” Winter 2001 p.54

All of the information contained in this article is of a general nature for informational purposes only, and is not intended to represent the definitive opinion of the firm of Elia Associates on any particular matter. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is accurate and up-to-date, the reader should not act upon it without obtaining appropriate professional advice and assistance.

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