On April 1, 1993 I started the firm, of course, back then it was Inga B. Andriessen, Barrister & Solicitors and it was just me.
The firm has grown over the past years, both in name and in staff. We now have three lawyers, a law clerk, a paralegal and wonderful support staff.
Our focus on business law has not changed over the years, and many of the clients we started with are still using our firm today.
Some of the things that have changed are the way that we litigate. There has been a big push over the years to speed up the time it takes to get to trial as well as reduce the cost to get there. The initiatives of the Commercial Court, the Simplified Procedure and Mandatory Mediation are all new in the past 20 years.
A few things have not changed over time and they probably should: the Small Claims Courts counters operate for the most part according to what the Supervisor says, not what the Rules of Court say. Cost awards by Judges outside Toronto still tend to be the same rate as they were when I started practice 20 years ago – that has to change, and it seems that it will as younger Judges are appointed.
The most important thing for me that has not changed is that my interest in and passion for business law remains as high as it was the day I started. I love being a Business Law Trial Lawyer – it is a interesting and at times fun way to make a living. The work is serious, but the people are generally fun and I am thankful that I chose this career, or more truthfully, it chose me when I was 16.
As interesting as the past 20 years have been, I’m sure the next years will be just as interesting and our firm will continue to provide the same, great law services it always has.