Unlock your people to reinvent your law firm

Peter Aprile and Quinn Ross discuss the deep structural and cultural changes that are essential to meet the challenges facing the legal industry
Unlock your people to reinvent your law firm
Summary
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CPD

Peter Aprile and Quinn Ross discuss the Ontario Bar Association’s inaugural “Innovator-in-Residence” Program and the reasons that Peter chose to analyze traditional law firm structures and leadership, and his belief that the paradigm that underlies traditional law firms is the root cause of the legal industry's disempowerment, diversity, and innovation issues. Peter discusses his early research into new distributed power models - and Counter's experience shifting to a new model - designed to make law firms more innovative, productive, fulfilling, and meaningful.

Quinn Ross

Guest

Quinn Ross, Ontario Bar Association

Quinn Ross does not tolerate bullies and he’s got the scars to prove it. After a few “viscerally satisfying” schoolyard encounters, it occurred to Quinn that there had to be a better way to deal with conflict. Law, it seems, was inevitable.

Out of the gate, Quinn was a successful litigator at The Ross Firm, with a focus on property, expropriation and employment cases. Over time, as the firm grew, Quinn has shifted his legal focus to business law: corporate commercial transactions, real estate and wills and estates. He has guided Ontario clients in transactions with parties worldwide, including China, Africa, Europe, South America and the United States, to mention a few.

Quinn regularly incorporates, reorganizes, structures financing, merges, and purchases and sells federal and provincial corporations. His knowledge of secured transactions helps limit exposure for vendors in a sale, and restrict overreaching lenders during purchases.

Quinn heads up the real estate team and treats each real property transaction with the same care and interest whether it is the purchase or sale of a residential home, or a multi-unit, multi-million dollar commercial property. Quinn appreciates the added experience of having litigated real estate matters when they go wrong, so he is keenly aware of potential pitfalls before they occur.

Professionally, Quinn is the Ontario Bar Association's Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors. Quinn is a regular speaker at the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Ontario Bar Association. In his community, Quinn serves as the immediate Past President of the Alzheimer Society of Huron County, and counsel to numerous not-for-profit organizations.

Peter Aprile

Host

Peter Aprile, Counter Tax Lawyers

Peter Aprile is a senior lawyer specializing in tax dispute resolution and litigation. His vision as Counter’s founder and his everyday role at the firm are one and the same: to be an agent of change, uncovering opportunities and developing strategies that achieve more than anyone expected. A creative thinker, Peter studies problems from all different angles to find what others have missed. He’s also convinced that he likes winning more than most people.

Different people describe Peter in different ways. At the CRA and the federal Department of Justice, the word relentless comes up quite a lot. Admittedly, so does the word a**hole – but it’s often said with a certain grudging respect, if not affection. Peter’s clients call him a saint. Well, some of them, anyway. His colleagues describe him as empowering and harddriving, but fair. Peter’s friends call him loyal. His wife describes him as a lot to deal with, but worth it. Peter encourages his young daughter and son to call him “The Big Homie,” though with limited success. His mother describes him with the single word mischievous – before going on to complain that he should call more.

Read Peter’s complete bio →

Natalie Worsfold

Host

Natalie Worsfold, Counter Tax Lawyers

Natalie is a tax lawyer who represents individual taxpayers and owner-managed businesses in disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). She also successfully challenges CRA decisions denying taxpayer relief and helps facilitate applications under the Voluntary Disclosures Program.

But what you really need to know about Natalie is that she’s a tax litigator with heart. When she takes a case, it’s not out of technical interest – it’s because she cares. And if she believes the government has got something wrong, she won’t stop until it’s been put right. She’s fierce.

Natalie is the co-architect behind many of Counter’s process workflows, software and data analytics systems, as well as our comprehensive knowledgebase (loving named Hank). And when it comes to preparing cases, she’s Counter’s secret weapon – happiest when elbow-deep in evidence, meticulously building creative solutions to seemingly impossible problems. Because the fact is Natalie sees things that other people don’t.

Natalie’s family and friends describe her as loyal, selfless, understanding and fun. They also mention stubborn. To her Counter colleagues she’s a combination of stellar brainpower and contagious enthusiasm who elevates the game of everyone around her.

Read Natalie’s complete bio →

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What Accountants Say

Peter Aprile is a very hands on and practical tax lawyer who is very focused and diligent. He is a pleasure to work with.

- Susan Farina, Tax Partner, Price Waterhouse Coopers

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What Clients Say

I’m a Senior VP with an accounting and finance background. I’ve worked with lawyers and large law firms. I was referred to Counter to fix a tax dispute. It is very rare to encounter lawyers that combine expertise, dedication, and a businesslike approach to litigation. I have no hesitation in recommending Counter.

- David Cuddy, Senior Vice-President, Finance & Business Operations, CFL

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What Accountants Say

Counter Tax Litigators has worked with Fuller Landau to resolve several of our clients’ tax disputes. Counter delivers superior communication.

- Laura Couvrette, CPA, CA, Fuller Landau LLP

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What Clients Say

I spent a good part of my career dealing with attorneys on innumerable matters, and found Peter to be extremely competent, open-minded and exceptionally honest. I would not hesitate to use Peter again, and highly recommend the team at Counter Tax Litigators.

- Mark Ram, Retired CEO

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What Clients Say

Counter’s representation on our behalf was well informed, professional and efficient, which ultimately resulted in a highly satisfactory decision in all aspects.

- Klaus W. Reif, President, Reif Estate Winery

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What Clients Say

I was amazed with the results. They went above and beyond, and I would recommend Counter to any person or business with a significant tax dispute.

- Brian Grott, Northland Screen Corp

How can we help you?

Recognition

Our law firm and tax lawyers regularly receive
recognition as leaders in tax controversy and litigation.

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