by Jacquelyn Stevens


How to make the most of your meeting with your environmental lawyer


chemicals? Bring any order forms, receipts and reporting documents for dry cleaning chemicals.


• How old is your machinery? Is it in good working order? Bring any documents about the type of equipment, and any repairs and maintenance completed.


• What is your training pro- gram like? Bring documents about your training program and who has received train- ing, either by you or through programs offered by other organizations.


INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER’S OFFICE


• Is there a civil claim or a potential civil claim against you? Bring a copy of any demand letters or state- ments of claim.


There are many reasons why you may need to seek the advice of an environmental lawyer. Perhaps you need advice about the sale of your dry cleaning business and/ or your property. Or perhaps you have had a visit from a provincial or Environment and Climate Change Cana- da inspector or investigator. Or, maybe you have been served with a lawsuit. Whatever the reason for your meeting, it is important to make your time with your environmental lawyer productive.


But, what if you have never met with an environmen-


tal lawyer before? How do you make the most of your initial meeting? Before you meet with your environmental lawyer for


the fi rst time, you should consider some basic questions your lawyer is likely to ask and what documents to bring with you.


Below are categories of information that will help your environmental lawyer understand your case and advo- cate on your behalf.


INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRY CLEANING PROPERTY


• Who owns the property? Bring documents about the ownership of your property, including any agreements of purchase and sale.


16 FABRICARE CANADA March/April 2020


• Is the property leased? Do you have tenants or are you a tenant? Bring documents about any leases for the property.


• What insurance do you have? Bring a copy of any insurance policies for the property, both current and former, as they may provide relevant coverage.


INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRY CLEANING OPERATION


• How long have you been operating? Were there pre- vious operators? Bring any documents about the dry cleaning operation.


• Do you own the business? Bring a copy of the corpo- rate minute book.


• What chemicals are used on-site? Who supplies the


• Have you been ordered by Environment and Climate Change Canada or your pro- vincial Ministry of Environ- ment? Bring a copy of the order and any correspon- dence with the regulator.


• Have you been charged by Environment and Climate Change Canada or your pro- vincial Ministry of Environ- ment? What is the charge? Do you have any evidence of due diligence? Bring a copy of the charging document and any correspondence with the regulator. Bring any documents that demonstrate how you manage your day- to-day operations. Bring any photographs of your opera- tions.


• Has there been a spill? Bring a copy of any environmen- tal reports, sampling results and other documentation that shows what happened, including photographs.


Continued on page 18


Photo credit: faustalawmarketing@morguefi le.com


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