Morrison Reist Krauss LLP
279 Queen Street South N2G 1W4 Kitchener, ON, Canada

We love this quote. There’s always something you can do if you start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. That being said, the value of bringing experienced help into your life happens situations cannot be understated. Navigating the Canadian legal system, is rarely something you want to do alone. Based on our 30+ years of experience we may see options that you simply wouldn’t have access to on your own. So, we’d like to formally apply to amend this quot...e: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Get HELP When You Need It. Do What You Can. What do you think?

The most successful organizations understand that employee engagement is critical for success. But don’t forget that behind that engagement is a series of laws that underpin the Canadian workplace. Being successful in business means providing a safe, legal, and satisfying workplace for employees. Learn more here: https://www.mrkfirm.com/employm/legal-advice-for-employers/

With our families and our work, being mindful of our priorities and where we place our time and attention is critical to being successful (and happy!). How do you plan your days amidst all of this pandemic craziness? Have you adapted your routines working from home? Let us know in the comments!

Join us in wishing Melanie Reist a Happy Birthday! Her day's off to a great start with a DQ breakfast (her favourite ice cream! ) Happy Birthday Melanie and thanks for all that you do!

We often meet our clients in a time of change. Whether they’re about to embark on a marriage or separation, have just lost their job, or need advice on how to sell their business, change is afoot. And with change often comes fear and uncertainty. We recognize the courage in our clients as they face new and uncomfortable situations and we’re here to help. We’re here to listen, reassure, and light the way to a new beginning.

This week we’re proud to introduce you to Alda! She’s been on our team for over 15 years now (!), currently in the role of Senior Legal Assistant to Melanie Reist. She has diverse legal experience, though today is wholly focused on our Employment Law practise. MRK employment law clients will get to know Alda well. She manages our initial client intakes and triage; communicates with our clients, building trusting relationships; and helps them (and Melanie) as required to help ensure the process runs smoothly and successfully. When she’s not hard at work, you’ll find Alda working in her garden, listening to music, going to the theatre, or travelling.

This week, we’re proud to feature Maxwell Bauer. Maxwell studied law at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario (Go Gaels!). He chose to practice employment law and human rights law because he wants to help others. When he’s not hard at work, you’ll find Maxwell spending time with his family and new daughter or working on his fitness.... We’re so grateful to have Maxwell on our team!

We love this quote. There’s always something you can do if you start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. That being said, the value of bringing experienced help into your life happens situations cannot be understated. Navigating the Canadian legal system, is rarely something you want to do alone. Based on our 30+ years of experience we may see options that you simply wouldn’t have access to on your own. So, we’d like to formally apply to amend this quot...e: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Get HELP When You Need It. Do What You Can. What do you think?

I’m sure we’re in good company when we say, wow, this year has been one for the record books! Yes, we’re feeling zoomed out and a bit frustrated with this new normal. Yes, we miss the in-person contact with our clients and colleagues and aren’t thrilled with the mountains of paperwork the new Court processes require. But no, we’re not discouraged. We’re not disheartened. Despite the challenges and the uncertainties, we’re nothing less than bowled over by the dedication ...of our staff, the resilience of our clients, and the spirit of camaraderie we’ve experienced between the other lawyers in our community. We want to thank you: our staff, our clients, and our network of contacts around the Waterloo region, (plus, of course, all of the front line staff and healthcare workers out there!). You are amazing and we’re proud to be part of your days. #COVIDcantstopus

The most successful organizations understand that employee engagement is critical for success. But don’t forget that behind that engagement is a series of laws that underpin the Canadian workplace. Being successful in business means providing a safe, legal, and satisfying workplace for employees. Learn more here: https://www.mrkfirm.com/employm/legal-advice-for-employers/

COVID Update: The MRK team has been working virtually throughout the fall. We’re back at full capacity, doing all work through Zoom and telephone calls. We’re navigating the Court’s ever-changing new procedures and putting our Life happens motto to work! If you need assistance with your family or employment law issues, know that we’re online, equipped, and ready to help.

With our families and our work, being mindful of our priorities and where we place our time and attention is critical to being successful (and happy!). How do you plan your days amidst all of this pandemic craziness? Have you adapted your routines working from home? Let us know in the comments!

Join us in wishing Melanie Reist a Happy Birthday! Her day's off to a great start with a DQ breakfast (her favourite ice cream! ) Happy Birthday Melanie and thanks for all that you do!

Have questions about a potential divorce or separation? Want to know more about Ontario's child custody laws? Not sure how support is calculated? Want more information on how the courts are adapting to COVID-19 restrictions? Visit our Resources page for answers to your most pressing (and timely!) questions:

How has COVID-19 impacted the Family Court system in Ontario? What can you expect in this "new reality?" Learn more here:

There's a new post up on our website! Definitely worth a read:

We often meet our clients in a time of change. Whether they’re about to embark on a marriage or separation, have just lost their job, or need advice on how to sell their business, change is afoot. And with change often comes fear and uncertainty. We recognize the courage in our clients as they face new and uncomfortable situations and we’re here to help. We’re here to listen, reassure, and light the way to a new beginning.

This week we’re proud to introduce you to Alda! She’s been on our team for over 15 years now (!), currently in the role of Senior Legal Assistant to Melanie Reist. She has diverse legal experience, though today is wholly focused on our Employment Law practise. MRK employment law clients will get to know Alda well. She manages our initial client intakes and triage; communicates with our clients, building trusting relationships; and helps them (and Melanie) as required to help ensure the process runs smoothly and successfully. When she’s not hard at work, you’ll find Alda working in her garden, listening to music, going to the theatre, or travelling.

New post up on our website:

This week, we’re proud to feature Maxwell Bauer. Maxwell studied law at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario (Go Gaels!). He chose to practice employment law and human rights law because he wants to help others. When he’s not hard at work, you’ll find Maxwell spending time with his family and new daughter or working on his fitness.... We’re so grateful to have Maxwell on our team!

Over the next few weeks we will be featuring members of our team. We’re so grateful to have such a vibrant, hard working, and talented group of people working with us and we’d like you to get to know them a bit better! Today, we’re proud to introduce you to Erica. She joined us in November 2018 after relocating from the GTA and leaving behind the big-city hustle and bustle and the crazy commute in and out of Toronto.... She became a licensed paralegal in 2015 and has been working in employment law ever since. On a typical day, she is one of the first points of contact for prospective new clients, gathering information on their employment situations and arranging consultations with the lawyers. Much of her time involves managing the lawyers’ calendars and booking appointments, opening and closing files, responding to email from clients and opposing counsel, reviewing correspondence, drafting routine correspondence, invoicing and processing accounts and much more. One of her present additional highlights is working alongside Pamela Krauss providing support and assistance with a matter presently in litigation. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic she has been busily providing administrative and litigation support to all five lawyers, including Charles’ family law practice (and learning a lot about family law in the process!). Outside of work she loves the great outdoors and enjoys hiking and nature walks, urban foraging, exploring the region around her newly adopted hometown, having game-nights with friends, backyard barbecues and dinner parties (she LOVES to cook), or just staying in and watching a movie or losing herself in a good book, and of course, travelling!

Important Update for Employers: Today, the government announced that it has enacted a new regulatory amendment that will put non-unionized employees on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave. This will ensure businesses aren't forced to terminate employees after their ESA temporary layoff periods have expired.

#thankyou to each and every essential worker in our community. We appreciate your continued dedication and courage in this uncertain time. Thank you to all the first responders, healthcare workers, truck drivers, letter carriers, grocery store and gas station employees, and so many more. We’re all doing our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 and we know we couldn’t do it without you!

At MRK, we’re doing our part to #flattenthecurve. We’ve spent the last two months working remotely, washing our hands, keeping our social distance, and adapting to the new Zoom reality. There’s a lot of things we miss, but nothing more than our clients and staff. You are on our minds all day, every day. While nothing is normal right now, we are open and able to help you with your family and employment law needs. Because as we all know now, Life Happens to Good People. https://www.mrkfirm.com/

One of the most common questions we get is how much will my divorce cost? Charles Morrison provides you with the answer here:

COVID-19 UPDATE - While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most pressing legal considerations for Ontario-regulated employers and employees to keep top of mind:

The lawyers at MRK are embracing the new normal and working from home! Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes with Charles, Holly, and Maxwell.

When should the right to refuse unsafe work be exercised? Employment lawyer Melanie Reist outlines some of the rights of employees working in this pandemic: https://www.therecord.com//9939338-when-should-the-right-/

A recent case from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice highlights the dilemma being faced by some separated parents over time sharing of their children in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic:

CBC KW spoke to MRK's Maxwell Bauer, for an expert opinion on what constitutes unsafe work amid COVID-19 and what obligations employers and employees have when it comes to keeping their workplace safe. Check out the interview here:

How is child support calculated in Ontario? There is a lot of misinformation swirling around the internet - get the facts here: https://www.mrkfirm.com/how-is-child-support-calculated/

We’re in unprecedented times. As Canadians are increasingly being asked and required to self isolate, people are staying home from work. But what exactly does that look like for employers and employees? Our partner and employment law expert, Melanie Reist, was interviewed by CTV to help educate our community about this ever-evolving situation:

COVID-19 CLIENT UPDATE: As we all navigate the ever-changing circumstances related to COVID-19, our tagline, life happens to good people, has never felt more appropriate. In an effort to respond proactively and responsibly to the pandemic, our office at 279 Queen Street South will be closing until further notice, however our family law and employment law experts will still be available to serve our clients by phone and email, and we will continue to accept new clients. To connect with one of our lawyers, please email us at [email protected].

What a great time! We attended the Waterloo Region Law Association Gala last week, celebrating 125 years of work in our community. The event was well attended by the bar and dignitaries across the region.