FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who do we recommend our second opinion service to?
To anyone — corporate clients, individuals, and even fellow lawyers seeking a professional sounding board.
When is it worth seeking a second opinion?
Virtually at any stage: before litigation, during proceedings, or even after a case has concluded.
What is the purpose of a second opinion before litigation begins?
At that stage, the goal may be to prevent or avoid the dispute entirely, or to prepare for enforcement or defence, shape legal strategy and argumentation, or review the draft statement of claim.
The lawsuit is already underway — how can a second opinion help during litigation?
As long as a case is ongoing, it is worth continuously reassessing options and experiences. A second opinion can help refine arguments, address evidentiary matters, and support decisions regarding appeals or remedies.
My case is closed — what is the point of getting a second opinion now?
Even if the legal dispute is over, there may be many lessons to draw from it. Reviewing the experience can help optimize business processes and prevent future legal issues.
In what format can I request/receive a second opinion?
In any format that fits your needs. A simple verbal consultation focused on key issues is perfectly fine, but we can also provide written responses based on review of relevant — or even complete — documentation. If requested, we can also conduct a mock hearing. The format is tailored jointly at the beginning of the process.
I already have a lawyer whom I fully trust, but the outcome of the dispute is crucial for my company. Is it unethical to turn to another lawyer?
Seeking a second opinion is not about distrusting your current lawyer. The true purpose is to ensure the case is built on the strongest possible foundations — essentially enabling a professional consultation. You decide how our involvement should look: we can stay in the background or liaise directly with your lawyer if preferred.
Why should I hire yet another lawyer? Legal disputes are already costing me a fortune.
Court proceedings can be lengthy and unpredictable. Even if you are confident in your strategy and representation, having another perspective — based on the “two heads are better than one” principle — can provide added security. Our second opinion pricing is flexible and tailored to the format required. While there is an upfront cost, it can pay off in the long run by reducing legal risk. Furthermore, recent case law increasingly supports reimbursing the prevailing party’s reasonable and necessary legal costs, which makes the relative cost of a second opinion smaller than it once was — while strengthening your legal position.
What rules apply to lawyers providing second opinions?
They are bound by the same professional obligations (e.g., confidentiality, conflict of interest rules) as lawyers representing clients directly. However, because second opinions can still be considered a sensitive topic, we have developed our own code of conduct that goes beyond general rules and apply to all second opinions we give or facilitate, regardless of whether we are providing the second opinion or another lawyer is giving one in a matter we are handling.
