Our lawyers and mediators are part of the comprehensive law movement, which views the practise of law as a healing profession with the ability to reduce conflict and resolve legal disputes out-of-court using a wholistic and integrative approach.
Our lawyers practise law differently from adversarial lawyers and law firms in Waterloo Region.
As experienced litigators, we know that court proceedings can be damaging to families and children.
The court process is often highly adversarial and emotionally draining leaving the participants feeling empty and unsatisfied.
We see value in helping families reduce conflict. We help families to resolve legal disputes without going to court.
Negotiation and collaboration in a supportive and caring environment create opportunities for dispute resolution that are purposeful and family-focused.
"Our legal team has empathy, passion for the work we do,
and a strong desire to help."
- Aubrey J. Sherman, Managing Partner
Over four decades of experience supports our belief that most disputes can be resolved out-of-court in a manner that is less contentious, quicker, and less costly than litigation.
We support our clients towards reaching their legal goals through alignment with their values, their principles, their insight, and often their hope for a better tomorrow.
Our legal professionals spend the time to get to know you, including your family and the people who matter most to you. Then we sit down with you to discuss process options and to create a plan that will achieve your goals.
As integrative legal professionals, our team works towards values-based solutions focusing on out-of-court and consensual dispute resolution, including counsel-assisted negotiation, family mediation, and collaborative divorce.
Our lawyers and mediators have advanced training in dispute resolution and use innovative approaches to resolve conflict and disputes that focus on the importance of building stronger relationships and enhancing family communication.
When necessary, we take the cases of our clients to court, but we always first explore the possibility of out-of-court dispute resolution.
There are many different ways to resolve a family dispute, and we work with each client to consider options. We focus on the interests of the whole family when evaluating dispute resolution processes and recommending the best course of action. We facilitate conversations that provide you with useful information, options to resolve your legal disputes, and solutions that fit your specific needs.
Family law often intersects with other areas of law such as income tax, corporate law, real estate, estate planning, trusts, and employment. Our firm's breadth of experience in various related areas of practise allows you to rest assured with confidence that your legal matter will be carefully handled by experienced and knowledgeable senior counsel.
At Sherman Law LLP, we seek to move families forward towards healing, to provide a form of security and stability for our clients in the midst of uncertainty, and to always advance children's best interests.
Here are six essential steps to conflict and dispute resolution, which we apply in helping your case reach a favourable outcome...
STEP
We built our success around our core values: listening, compassion, dignity, inclusivity, and the well-being of our clients.
We are integrative and wholistic practitioners who seek to find peaceful ways of resolving conflict and focus on values-based solutions.
We approach every client with respect, compassion, and understanding because our success and reputation depends on your satisfaction. Your best interests will always be of principal consideration, and we will always return your calls and emails.
At Sherman Law LLP, we maintain a culture of excellence, whereby our lawyers and dedicated staff will give your concerns the full and proper attention that you deserve.
We are committed to providing you with legal services that use the very best strategies, resources, and creative options available in our industry. Because to our team, “We are in this together, your family and ours” ®TM is not just a claim, it is our promise.
STEP
Our lawyers and mediators insist on open and honest communication. We remain genuinely curious and ask questions to learn what concerns you the most in each situation. We listen to understand to ensure that our interpretation of what is being said is accurate. We try not to make assumptions.
We work hard to ensure that our interactions with you will be a pleasant experience by actively listening to your concerns, views, and opinions about your legal problems in order to understand your goals. But we will not do so blindly. We believe that lawyers telling you what you want to hear or downplaying your risks does not serve your interests.
We know that clients come to our firm for good advice, and that is what we offer. We provide you with creative options to achieve your goals and resolve your disputes while being candid and forthright with you at all times. We will not suggest a process of dispute resolution that does not make sense for you or your family. The “right” solution will be the one that is best for you.
STEP
Time after time, we hear stories of clients who have sought out our services after being very unhappy with previous counsel at other regional and national firms. The number one complaint we hear from clients about other firms is that they failed to communicate with their clients. That is why we work hard to devote the necessary resources and communication required to address your needs promptly and with sensitivity.
We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and client service. We use modern methods of communication including teleconference, email, and virtual meetings including Zoom video conference to ensure that we keep you updated on your legal problem and case in a timely manner. We work as a team and your feedback is important and valued throughout your case.
STEP
When dealing with a legal problem, it helps to know that you have someone highly skilled on your side. Our highly skilled lawyers use alternatives to traditional litigation including collaborative divorce and family law, mediation, and arbitration to resolve our clients’ disputes.
We exercise sound judgment and provide information and advice that you need in order to understand your options. If you are at an impasse with your conflict or legal problem, we provide creative options and tools to help you continue to move forward to dispute resolution.
You are included in all of the decision-making by applying an interest-based approach to conflict resolution that focuses on your needs, desires, concerns and goals in helping you achieve a favourable outcome.
STEP
We understand that not every situation can be resolved through negotiation or mediation despite our best efforts to achieve a fair settlement. When necessary, we take the cases of our clients to court.
You can rest assured that our lawyers have the experience and skills gained from many years of successfully litigating in all levels of family court. We bring mindfulness to our advocacy and a litigation approach that includes promoting early evaluation of your case and advancing methods for dispute resolution.
If we find that our recommendations are not working, we will adapt our approach or bring in a third party specialist, such as a financial planner, social worker or psychologist for expert assistance in continuing to move your case forward towards resolution. Litigation can be very expensive. That is why we work hard to make sure that we respect your finances by using cost-effective strategies to advance reasonable settlement and resolve disputes.
STEP
We know that you want your dispute resolved as quickly and cost-effectively as possible because no one enjoys the stress and uncertainty of litigation.
We work to resolve your court case in a timely manner to avoid long and delayed legal proceedings and the resulting cost of a trial.
Our four decades of experience in court provides us with a helpful perspective in moving your case forward with a common-sense approach towards resolution. Very often, that means that your case can be resolved without the need for a costly trial. If a trial is required, we will stand with you before the court with unwavering resolve while tirelessly advocating for your interests.
We understand that every case and every family is unique, and we are ready to put our breadth of experience and knowledge at your service.
