During the time Jason Gratl was representing me in the legal matters below, he was Independent Counsel to the Commissioner of the Missing Women Commission of Enquiry headed by Wally Oppal. You think a local would be comparable, AND give me top notch representation at the same time? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eKGEdlrZ_WuiNyw6XsY5rPGYxPg246qj/view?usp=sharing

Going through my divorce I retained local lawyer Michael Berman. Mr. Berman at the time (2011) charged $275. an hour. I have no complaints about the services provided by Mr. Berman except he was not up on the law and it could have cost me $14,000. At the time I and my then husband owned property jointly with Larry and Julie McDonald of Union Bay. When I was fixing up the little house intending to live on our part of the property, I paid for a new septic system to be installed totalling just over $14,000.

The engineer I contracted was installing a septic system across the street from where Larry and Julie McDonald were living at the time and they told me about it, so I went over and spoke to the engineer and got a card. I told Larry and Julie McDonald about it and when I received an estimate, I advised Larry and Julie McDonald of the amount and Larry and Julie McDonald agreed that when the property was sold I would receive the cost of the septic system before the monies were distributed to Larry and Julie McDonald, my ex husband and myself.

I attended Mr. Berman’s office regarding the sale of the properties and he advised me that Larry and Julie McDonald were claiming I never told them about installing the septic system and they weren’t going to reemburse me. Berman said there was nothing he could do because it was real estate and a verbal agreement.

Mentioned the above to Jason Gratl who was representing me defending the suit by the Union Bay Improvement District, and Jason said no way. Unjust Enrichment. Jason represented me in court in Nanaimo. The ex husband paid lawyer Chris Sinclare to travel to Nanaimo to defend not paying me – settled minutes before court. Larry McDonald travelled to Nanaimo to defend not paying – no joy for him either. See, big difference in the outcome when you get a lawyer who loves the law.

JUST A NOTE: For all the people in Union Bay who want to blame any theft on Lance – it’s not always the obvious people stealing from you. It’s wealthy people who pinch every penny that will attempt to steal from you, but with a smile on their face.

Also, lawyers bill by six minutes blocks, with 10 in an hour. If your lawyer charges you 400. an hour, they charge you $40. for every 6 minutes. Talk to the lawyer for 3 minutes and you are billed .5 which is $20. Every minute a lawyer spends receiving and sending letters, every email read and sent – it’s all billable and totally acceptable. Racks up real fast if you are a pain in the ass.

When you are in the lawyers office, the timer is on. When Michael Berman started chit chatting, I pointed at his computer to turn off the timer – I’m not paying someone to shoot the shit with me about nothing in particular. Most people have no idea the timer is running and some lawyers will bill you for every minute they can squeeze out of you. Check the hourly rates locally and I bet you’re paying close to what Vancouver lawyers charge and getting second rate service. These guys don’t have the high overhead and I think they are all in semi retirement here. Christ, Berman would get a letter from Sinclare and say he was surprised Chris would say or do that. Well ya, you won’t challenge them on it because you’re all buddies, meeting up for lunch, socializing, etc. What bullshit.

Michael Berman had a secretary at the time, Rachel Day. Now I knew nothing about this person until in a drunken stupor along with another drunk harassed me on that joint property when I was removing firewood I had purchased. Rachel Day said “You probably don’t remember me, but I was your lawyer’s secretary and I know your husband is trying to screw you out of money.” That’s another reason I won’t go to a local lawyer – your personal information is entertainment for their friends. That’s what passes off as professional here.

Lawyer’s drunk secretary Rachel Day and her drunk friend right in my face on MY PROPERTY.

ADDED: The reason Rachel Day and the other drunks were anywhere near where I was is because Larry and Julie McDonald, rented their half with a house to Dan McGill, the Union Bay Improvement District water guy. These were Dan’s friends. Dan allowed the harassment and tried intimidating me by claiming I should have given him notice as though I was his landlord. Dan and his drunks then called the police with that claim – didn’t think I had to carry Title of Land to prove when the RCMP are told I’m a landlord arriving without notice. That’s what passes as professional in Union Bay – and the Comox Valley, they’re all connected.

Next up. Ted Holekamp, who had office space in the same building as Berman and Berman said Ted was the internet guy and referred me to him when I got served with the SLAPP suit by the Union Bay Improvement District. First appointment with Holekamp and he reads the lawsuit and says “You’re going to be eating dogfood.” Billed me a couple of thousand bucks for writing a couple of letters and having me sign away my rights. Was more interested in impressing his secretary about the word ‘umbrage’ as he grovelled to opposing counsel.

Different lawyer – different outcome – instead of eating dogfood. Luckily, a friend spoke to the lawyer who won the Powell River case and recommended Jason Gratl. The end result with Jason securing monies from UBID because they had no right to sue a landowner. Big difference isn’t it?