SkyCounsel is a platform for lawyers to run their own practice with the support of a law firm environment.
Members of SkyCounsel have access to all of SkyLaw’s lawyers and resources, as well as the years of experience and expertise that come from successfully operating a boutique law firm.
Members can make use of office and meeting space with access to administrative, legal and operational assistance. The result is a top-quality practice platform, with opportunities for leverage through brand building, knowledge sharing, and referral opportunities.
SkyCounsel members practice law independent of one another, keep 100% of their revenue, and are free to develop their business and serve their clients as they see fit.
The cost of membership in SkyCounsel is a fixed monthly fee. By anchoring overhead, members can more readily structure their fees to benefit both their business and their clients.
We can assist you in setting up your law firm – from incorporation and engagement letters, to invoicing and billing, you will have all the support you need to confidently build your practice.
We understand the significance of confidentiality around the office and how to treat clients. We are happy to provide any support and guidance you may need as a fellow member of the bar.
Close enough to the downtown core but not so close that your clients cannot find parking!
Your clients may need assistance with the corporate or securities aspect of a file and our experienced team is conveniently one door away from your office! We also have a large network of lawyers in a variety of practice areas and we are happy to help connect you to the right person for your clients’ needs.
Never feel limited or locked in – change your SkyCounsel package as your needs change.
We love to socialize with our fellow SkyCounsel members, especially on game nights and at our annual holiday lunch!
We welcome membership inquiries from all experienced lawyers who want to establish their own independent practice including retired partners, in-house counsel and those who would benefit from the full support of leaders in this growing law firm business model.
We provide a few different SkyCounsel packages that can be tailored to your needs. Contact us to find out more.
Contact Priya Ratti at priya.ratti@skylaw.ca to learn more about our packages and pricing plans. We welcome you to book a tour of the office and learn more!
Michael is a certified specialist in environmental law. His practice focuses on environmental regulation and commercial law. He advises clients in manufacturing and resource industries on environmental issues such as decommissioning, waste management, export/import of hazardous waste, recycling, emission approvals, mine reclamation, compliance, and corporate governance relating to environmental matters. He is also frequently called on to advise banks and other financial institutions, receivers, and trustees on environmental liabilities and risks, remediation issues, and negotiations with environmental regulators.
Michael currently acts for a number of Canadian property developers in issues surrounding the acquisition and disposition of properties with soil and groundwater contamination. He manages the site investigation process, negotiates the environmental terms of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, and assists in establishing the terms of indemnifications and environmental liability insurance. He advises clients, as well, on regulatory requirements for property rehabilitation, mandatory filings, and registrations.
Alan has 17 years of corporate and securities law experience, working at law firms such as Norton Rose, McCarthy Tétrault and AUM Law and at financial institutions including UBS, BMO and Richardson GMP. Alan spent three years as General Counsel of the Wealth Management unit of UBS in Canada and maintains a practice focused on wealth management space including OSC and IIROC registrants.
Outside of work Alan can likely be found in one of Toronto’s many parks and ravines with his four-year-old son and wife. Prior to law school Alan spent 23 years in high-level hockey, playing for the Toronto Red Wings, Wexford Raiders, University of Michigan Wolverines and Ottawa Senators organization.
“What I love about working at SkyCounsel is being able to build my own independent practice in a fun, collegial environment. After years of working in sterile downtown office towers it’s great to be able to come to work in shorts, open my window, raise my standing desk and have a few laughs while still doing interesting work.”
Eric Engel started his career in 1999 with one of Canada's pre-eminent national business law firms. After spending five years primarily serving the interests of large corporate clients, Eric realized that he also greatly enjoyed working with entrepreneurial and mid-sized businesses. He therefore moved to an award-winning boutique business law firm and spent several years working with a broad range of business clients, including entrepreneurs, start-ups, small and mid-sized businesses, and large multinational corporations. He has helped clients to incorporate, restructure, secure capital, and to buy and sell businesses. He has also reviewed, drafted and negotiated a wide variety of agreements and provided general advisory services. Eric holds the Osgoode Certificate in Negotiating and Drafting IT Agreements and frequently works with technology companies on a broad array of technology agreements.
Eric had the privilege of spending his articling year as a law clerk to the Justices of Ontario's highest court, the Ontario Court of Appeal. He was called to the Bar in 1999. Eric graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1997, where he was the recipient of numerous academic awards. Prior to that, he obtained a B.A. from Queen's University, where he also won numerous academic awards.
