Blake Chapman of Life Planning Law has been around since 2010 and brings a decade of expertise to the table. Although he only started his firm in 2016, we’re certain his almost 20 years of experience makes him a reliable candidate for estate-related needs.

However, to get a more tailored legal service, we must note that working with a sole practitioner has its drawbacks, such as limited resources. So if your case needs a large legal team, this is an aspect worth considering.

Nevertheless, Chapman stood out for us because of virtual consultations. We like this because it offers convenience for clients in a world that’s increasingly becoming digital-imagine discussing business from the comfort of your home!

While estate law is his forte, Chapman also specializes in disability law and probational law. Aside from being a rare sight, we think this is advantageous if a client’s case is related to or involves guardianship and conservatorship issues and special needs trusts.

Notably, the clients we’ve surveyed commend Chapman’s insightful, transparent, and communicative style. For us, this is a green flag because having a lawyer who possesses these qualities can make the legal process smoother.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Life Planning Law’s rates are available on its website. Although a small gesture, we appreciate this because it provides clients with a clear understanding of what to expect financially.

David Mills boasts two decades of experience since he entered practice in 2000. He’s also the managing partner and chair of wills, estates, and trusts of his Mills & Mills LP, which we find reassuring as it gives him a credible and trustworthy choice.

However, with Mill’s having these positions in the firm, we think it’s worth noting that juggling such significant roles might make syncing schedules a bit challenging. We see this as a minor drawback for clients with tight schedules who need urgent legal help. 

Also, Mills specializes in business law, employment law, and litigation. We think that his diverse expertise is a plus for clients seeking comprehensive legal support for cases like business ownership transferring and title disputes.

One thing we’d like to highlight is that Mills & Mills LLP has been in the industry since 1884! For us, a company with more than a century of history leaves no doubt they have the expertise that surpassed the test of time.

Speaking of which, the firm extends its legal services to tax, health, and family law, providing a one-stop shop for your legal needs.

Based on our surveys, David Mills is also known for being a great listener and insightful in his approach to the clients. Plus, we also like that the staff at Mills & Mills LLP follow suit, being attentive and ensuring clients feel heard and understood.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that the office’s strategic location is near several public transportation systems, such as buses and trams. We like this because it makes it convenient for clients to access their services without any transportation hassles.

Birute Luksenaite is one of the multilingual estate attorneys in Toronto. Besides English, she’s fluent in French, Lithuanian, and Russian.

We like this because it opens up avenues of communication for clients and ensures they can convey their needs and understand the legal intricacies.

Also, Luksenaite has been at the helm of Portfolio Estate Law, her law firm, since 2019. Although her firm is younger than others, we like that Birute has been in practice since 2011 because it adds weight to her credibility as an experienced lawyer.

Beyond estate law, Birute extends her expertise into tax, administrative, and corporate law. We think this versatility is an edge, especially if a client needs legal help for tax planning, business succession, optimizing business structure, asset protection, etc.

Meanwhile, our client surveys showed that Luksenaite is detail-oriented, honest, and attentive to inquiries. We give her two thumbs up for these because it allows clients to experience a straightforward and stress-free legal process.

However, we think it’s crucial to recognize that Luksenaite, as a sole practitioner, may have limited availability, posing minor drawbacks in urgent matters or complex cases requiring extensive resources.

Nevertheless, we’d like to share that her office is close to bus stations and offers abundant roadside parking in a low-traffic area. We like this as it provides clients with a legal consultation with zero hassles and stress!

Lorne Shuman has been in the game since 1994, giving him a wealth of experience that surpasses many of his peers. We see this as a pro because it gives confidence to clients that he knows his work like the back of his hand.

Beyond his years of practice, Shuman has published works about real estate law and related branches of law. Moreover, he shared his expertise as a lecturer on real estate law at the Law Society of Upper Canada. 

We see this as an advantage because it adds credibility and reassurance to his clients that they’re with a lawyer backed with substantial experience and knowledge to navigate anything related to law.

That said, Shuman doesn’t just stick to estate law; he extends his legal prowess to real estate and corporate law. We think of his range of expertise as a pro, especially if a client’s case intertwines with family business transfer or property ownership.

Also, Shuman’s clients liked his communicative and approachable demeanour. We’re also pleased to hear this because navigating legal matters becomes less complicated if you’re backed by a team possessing these qualities.

Situated at Scotiabank, Shuman’s firm, Isenberg & Shuman, provides ample parking space and proximity to bus stops. We like their accessible location because clients could cross transportation out of the things they’d have to worry about.

Charney Legal, led by Avi Charney, offers services not only in English but also in Hebrew. We think this is a pro for those fluent in Hebrew because it ensures deliberation and planning would go smoothly.

Before practicing as an attorney in Canada in 2014, Charney had prior legal experience in Israel. With such a rich background in law, we have no doubt his background offers a unique perspective to his clients.

Also, Charney is not limited to just estate law; his expertise extends to real estate and business law. In our books, this skill set offers a clear advantage to clients looking for comprehensive legal support that spans real estate transactions and business matters.

As a psychology graduate, he uses his knowledge in this field to better connect with and understand his clients. We appreciate that he takes the extra step of providing a comfortable space for his patrons.

On the flip side, it’s worth noting that Charney is a sole practitioner and may have a busy schedule, especially during peak seasons. While this is a minor drawback, we think clients should carefully check their schedules to avoid inconveniences.

Nevertheless, Charney’s availability on Sundays makes him stand out among other attorneys. Although it’s only for limited hours, in our experiences, this flexibility provides more legal options to clients with busy schedules.