Informational Interview with a Lawyer

Occupation

For this assignment students will be required to conduct an informational interview with someone in their desired field/occupation. A key component to this assignment is providing the business card of the person who you have interviewed. Summarize the responses to the questions below in a 4-page(single spaced) document. Pay careful attention to what’s said by the person you speak to and ask questions when something isn’t clear. People are often more than happy to discuss their positions, and are willing to provide you with a wealth of information. Try to keep the conversation friendly, brief, and focused on the contact person’s job and career field.

 

Lawyer Interviewee's Information Pathik Baxi Partners at Simmons da Silva LLP Pathik Baxi is a skilled and experienced litigator who specializes in commercial, civil and mortgage litigation. Pathik’s practice in the Dispute Resolution Group is focused on a broad range of commercial litigation matters, as well as advising clients faced with Receiverships, Construction Lien matters and Mortgage Enforcement remedies. With an emphasis on resolving complex commercial disputes, Pathik works closely with clients, providing advice to general counsel and external counsel across multiple jurisdictions within Canada and internationally. Pathik prides himself on achieving desired legal outcomes within set timelines and facilitating cost-effective resolutions.

 

As a litigator for over a decade, Pathik is experienced in managing all phases of litigation through to trial and has acted as counsel before Canadian trial courts and various Alternative Dispute Resolution forums. Pathik has many reported decisions including Med-Chem Health Care Ltd. V. Misir, 2011 ONSC 6287, 209 A.C.W.S. (3d) 252, where he acted for the Plaintiff in successfully arguing against piercing the corporate veil against the sole director in a claim involving over 100 million dollars. Dedicated to the community, Pathik is an active volunteer, currently serving as legal advisor for several charitable institutions, not-for-profit organizations, media outlets and others in need. He is also fluent in Hindi and Gujarati.

 

Some of Pathik’s representative work includes: Lead Counsel for Hotel Franchisee in opposing a 35 million dollar Receivership Application; Lead Counsel to one of Ontario’s largest private mortgage funds in the enforcement of all commercial and residential mortgage defaults; Lead Counsel to various religious, not-for-profit and charitable organizations on corporate governance issues, including director’s liability and Office of Public Guardian and Trustee issues; Lead Counsel to various SMEs including some of Ontario’s largest Restaurants, Real Estate Brokerages, Condominium Corporations and Developers on a wide range of litigation matters.

 

 

*keep the conversation friendly, brief, and focused on the contact person’s job and career field*

 

1. What attracted you to this career path?

 

2. What previous professional experiences have helped you most in this role?

 

3. What’s something that would surprise people about your day-to-day?

 

4. What’s one thing you wish somebody would’ve told you before going into this field?

 

5. What are some of the biggest rewards of your position?

 

6. How would you describe somebody who would excel in this career?

 

7. What’s most important to prepare for a role like yours?