AI Magazine Issue 10 2018

Acquisition International - Issue 10 2018 23 Dale Pedersen is a sole practitioner, practicing family and criminal law. enerally, he represents individuals facing serious criminal charges or experiencing a bitter family separation or divorce. His interests include high conflict family litigation involving children, criminal and family litigation with significant credibility issues and mediation. He has a growing interest in defending criminal animal cruelty charges, finding many aspects of that work very rewarding, such as the reviewing medical reports and animal care guidelines and cross- examining experts, such as veterinarians. Recently, he appeared before the British Columbia Farm Review Board, an administrative body which decides appeals concerning the return of seized animals to their owner. Upon opening a file, Dale finds out how best to assess the client’s circumstances. He then presents the various legal options and helps the client make decisions which will have the most far-reaching and long-term impact in their lives. Each issue will need to be addressed with the seriousness it deserves. Collectively, their resolution will weave a web which will impact every aspect of the client’s lives, such as whether they can read their child a bedtime story, tuck them in and kiss them goodnight. He remains grateful for the honour of being entrusted with such matters. He enjoys being given the responsibility to work with other skilled members of the legal community in helping to resolve them. His general litigation strategy is straightforward. Once the theory of the case is discovered, he will patiently and painstakingly analyse the facts behind every case well in advance of trial. He assumes litigation will not be settled. Thorough trial preparation is viewed as a mechanism to help resolve the matter in a way that is fair for both sides. Over the course of his practice, he has come to understand how difficult and confusing it is to face serious charges or experience a turbulent separation. With patience and understanding, he helps support his clients in their decisions and assists them in reaching their end goals. Although Dale advertises locally in the newspaper and the internet for convenience, he has come to rely on word of mouth referrals. Maintaining a small office and simplifying his office procedures has allowed him Contact: Dale Robert Pedersen Company: Dale Robert Pedersen - Trial Lawyer Address: 7105 Vedder Road Chilliwack, British Columbia V2R 4G3, Canada Telephone: 001 604 824 4644 Web Address: www.dalepedersen.com Protecting Your Rights G 1809AI28 to keep in contact with staff and monitor files more effectively. Much trial preparation is centred on how cross examination and document discovery may not only reveal the truth, but effectively relay the client’s story to the fact finder so it is clear, understandable and compelling. How this is achieved varies enormously from one case to another, but it involves significant time and concentration to creatively consider the different routes to meet that objective. In the future, Dale would like to expand his services and litigate serious issues across the province, particularly in regard to animal cruelty charges. In addition to this, Dale is also considering collaborating with civil lawyers in that subject. Another goal is to begin mentoring and teaching. He wishes to continue with helping with pro bono matters and publicly funded legal services. He strives to reflect the courts mandate to administer justice impartially, accepting that all individuals are ultimately deserving of fairness, respect and dignity, regardless of their past mistakes or shortcomings. A fundamental challenge he sees for small firms and sole practitioners in the future will be how to provide effective and compassionate legal services at a sustainable cost over the life of the file. He suspects very small firms may find themselves fighting for their long-term survival. He questions whether a vacuum in legal services will develop and how it might be remedied. Another challenge he sees for the legal profession is to create alternative dispute resolution systems that encourage family participants to actively communicate and cooperate in resolving their issues. In the meantime, he says he will keep working hard, analysing the facts and preparing for trial. “A fundamental challenge he sees for small firms and sole practitioners in the future will be how to provide effective and compassionate legal services at a sustainable cost over the life of the file.”