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Laurie J. Meunier LL.B. - Lawyer Mediator Arbitrator Direct Line: (780) 875-4515 E-mail: laurie.meunier@mmslaw.ab.ca |
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I graduated from the Faculty of Law at the
University of Alberta in 1986 and I have practiced law full time ever since. When I
practiced in Edmonton, I dealt primarily with employer/employee or employer/union issues.
Once I moved to Lloydminster in 1990, my practice became more general. Clients have
frequently entrusted me with family issues including wills, estates, real estate,
separation and divorce. I also advise businesses on a variety of issues and prepare
agreements and corporate documents. I focus on avoiding conflicts for my client. I plan estates to ensure a smooth and trouble free transition. I prepare business partnerships and corporations for the future by anticipating problems now. I ensure smooth transactions by strategic advance planning that avoids disputes. When conflicts do arise, I am a highly successful negotiator, a sharp investigator and an aggressive and skillful litigator. When my client is involved in a conflict with a family member or business associate, my focus has been to resolve the problems that arise and protect my client, while doing as little damage to the relationship between the individuals as possible. As a result of this focus, I became interested in finding new, less adversarial ways to resolve disputes. I became a mediator and an arbitrator in addition to being a lawyer. As a mediator, I meet with the people involved in a dispute and help them negotiate a resolution to the problem that meets the needs of all participants. The main advantage in mediation is that the parties themselves control the solution and decide how to resolve the dispute. When the parties themselves have found the solution, they actively try to make it work. It isn’t the right process for everyone, but it is very successful in many cases. As an arbitrator, the parties present their case to me, either through their lawyers or themselves. After listening carefully to everyone, I decide how the dispute is resolved. Arbitration is similar to a court case because the decision is made by me and not the parties. The advantage of arbitration is speed, convenience and simplicity. The case can be heard immediately, without preliminary pleadings and discoveries. The parties can determine when and where it is held, including evenings or weekends when required. The process is much simpler and less formal than court proceeding, and a decision is made that they can rely upon. My law practice is always evolving as I strive to find improved ways to meet my client’s goals. |