Law society referrals vs higher end firms
Hey everyone, looking for some advice on employment lawyers in Ontario (GTA).
I recently got referred to a lawyer through the Law Society of Ontario referral service. I had an initial conversation with her and I actually liked her. She mentioned working on a retainer model where I’d pay one upfront fee and not be billed beyond that, which sounds straightforward.
My hesitation is that I couldn’t find any reviews for her or the firm online, so I’m not sure how to gauge quality or experience.
On the other hand, I’m considering paying $150–$400 for a consultation with a more established or “higher-end” firm, just to compare advice and feel more confident.
For those who’ve been through something similar:
Are referrals from the Law Society generally reliable/trustworthy? Is it worth paying for a consult elsewhere for a second opinion? Any red flags I should watch for with retainer structures like this?
This is my first time dealing with anything like this, so I’d really appreciate any insight or experiences. Thanks in advance.