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w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m M A R C H 2 0 1 8 49 of the rule by sending paralegals under their supervision before a judge over a two-year period, producing insufficient data for assessment. Michele Ross, a designated paralegal at Quay Law Centre in New Westminster in B.C. who was one of the few parale- gals to make it into court as part of the project, says it was a missed opportunity. "Some lawyers would benefit from some education about what we can do and how we can help clients save money," she says. Macfarlane says there are Ontario family lawyers who support a bigger role for paralegals, but she worries they feel forced into silence because of the overwhelming consensus against them. In Vancouver, Leisha Murphy, partner at Connect Family Law, feels no such pressure. She says her firm's designated paralegals are well equipped to deal with many aspects of clients' cases and would love to see the law society offering them more independence in practice. "I prefer to go to the higher-level aspects, like the strategic direction of the file," she says. "We need to loosen the reins. With so many people unrep- resented, it's inevitable in the long run anyway, and we as lawyers need to adjust to that reality." I PREFER TO GO TO THE HIGHER-LEVEL ASPECTS, LIKE THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF THE FILE. WE NEED TO LOOSEN THE REINS. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE UNREPRESENTED, IT'S INEVITABLE IN THE LONG RUN ANYWAY, AND WE AS LAWYERS NEED TO ADJUST TO THAT REALITY. LEISHA MURPHY, Connect Family Law Order your copy today. Visit www.store.thomsonreuters.ca or call 1-800-387-5164 for a 30-day, no risk evaluation Your instant connection to ONTARIO'S LEGAL NETWORK ONTARIO LAWYER'S PHONE BOOK 2018 Ontario Lawyer's Phone Book is your best connection to legal services in Ontario with more than 1,400 pages of essential legal references. More detail and a wider scope of legal contact information for Ontario: • Over 26,800 lawyers listed • Over 8,500 law firms and corporate offices listed • Fax and telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, office locations and postal codes Perfectbound Published December each year On subscription $85 One time purchase $88.50 L7798-7858 Multiple copy discounts available Plus applicable taxes and shipping & handling. (prices subject to change without notice) ntitled-2 1 2018-02-12 10:05 AM ntitled-5 1 2018-02-07 3:04 PM