Like so many others, I have worked many different jobs throughout my life. Each job offered me new skills and helped get me to where I am today. I mention this because I believe it is important to point out that the path to finding your career or passion is very rarely linear, and that’s okay. Once I felt it was time to begin forming my career, I thought long and hard about what to pursue. The only recurring thought I had while deciding where to start was that I enjoy helping people and making a difference. I took that thought and ran with it, and after some research, I decided to enroll in a Paralegal Education program.
When I first entered the program, my goal was simple: I wanted to learn how to help people best and make a difference. The idea of advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and making a positive difference in someone’s life, motivated me to work hard and be the best version of myself throughout my time in the program. I took courses in various areas of law, including but not limited to torts and contracts, landlord and tenant, employment, administrative, and evidence. Time passed and my knowledge became greater and greater. But, as much as I admired the law, there was something else that became increasingly apparent: the judicial process is slow, complex, and often exhausting. In Ontario, it can take anywhere between 2 to 5 years before a civil litigation case gets to trial.1 The more I learned about how cases were processed through the courts—the lengthy timelines, the high costs, and the emotional toll on clients—the more I began to wonder: Is there a more efficient way to help people? Can we achieve justice faster, without compromising fairness or the emotional well-being of those involved?
It wasn’t until my final semester of the Paralegal Education program that I discovered a potential answer to my question. One of the prerequisites to graduate from the program is to complete one course in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). At this point in my education, I was not aware of ADR or what it entails, but after I attended the first class, my perspective on litigation and advocacy was completely altered. ADR was the solution I was looking for all along. Unlike traditional litigation, which could drag on for years, alternative dispute resolution offered more immediate and flexible options for those trying to resolve disputes. One singular ADR course opened my eyes to a new set of skills and processes that focused not only on legal outcomes but also on facilitating communication and understanding between people.2
During my final semester, one of my professors strongly encouraged me to pursue a career in alternative dispute resolution after expressing regret that he hadn’t done so himself. His advice impacted me greatly, as this advice was coming from a distinguished lawyer turned professor, who had an abundance of legal knowledge and experience. Following his advice, it didn’t take long before I realized what my career was going to be. I realized that I could still use my legal education and background but shift my focus to a much more practical approach – one that would allow me to provide faster, more satisfying resolutions for people who need help. It didn’t take long for me to apply and get accepted into an alternative dispute resolution graduate certificate program.
Shortly after applying, I successfully graduated from the paralegal education program with honors and passed the Law Society of Ontario’s P1 exam, officially making me a licensed paralegal in the province of Ontario. And before I knew it – it was time to begin my education in alternative dispute resolution. The ADR course itself was an eye-opening experience. It taught me the opposite of what I learned in the paralegal program. My mindset shifted from focusing on a fixed pie to focusing on expanding the pie.3
I discovered that not many people are aware of ADR as an option, and even fewer understand its potential to revolutionize the way we approach dispute resolution. Alternative dispute resolution is often overshadowed by the more familiar and formal world of litigation, but for those who know about it, it offers a far more streamlined and empathetic process. Hence why I felt it was important to share my experience in this article, as I hope it will encourage others to explore the world of ADR.
Throughout the course, we were taught the main components of ADR. Mediation became particularly compelling to me. The beauty of mediation is in its ability to foster cooperative communication, even between parties who are deeply entrenched in conflict. But most importantly, mediation empowers clients to make decisions for themselves, unlike the court system. It allows the individuals involved to have greater control over the outcome, rather than leaving the decision solely in the hands of a judge.4
This process not only accelerates the resolution but also tends to leave clients feeling more satisfied, as they are actively involved in the solution. Furthermore, it saves the client a lot of time and money, compared to taking the traditional litigation route. A great example of how efficient the mediation process is can be seen in the fact that all mandatory mediations for civil cases must take place within 180 days of the first defense being filed with the Court, as outlined in Rule 24.1.5
My legal background has provided me with the ability to understand the intricacies of the court system, the rules, and the frameworks within which disputes arise. However, my mediation training has allowed me to bridge the human side of the process—the emotional and interpersonal dynamics that often complicate legal matters. Together, these skills have given me a unique ability to serve my clients, who after all are human beings with emotions which are not just fixed in rules, in a way that allows me the luxury of being able to straddle a position that is both empathetic and efficient, but moreover, in the best interest of my clients.
Looking back, I realize that my initial desire to make a difference has taken me in a direction I never anticipated. By embracing ADR, I’m able to help people in a more immediate, less adversarial manner, offering them the chance to resolve their conflicts in a way that’s both quicker and more personally fulfilling. And that, to me, is the true essence of justice.
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