Advocacy-Matters-Fall-2022

I chose to set up my own firm because I could see the writing on the wall: in small towns where
there is a small bar, it is unlikely that a criminal lawyer would hire an associate. I also had a toddler and
a 6-month-old when I opened Chugh Law, and I wanted a practice that would work with having two
babies at home.
I think I was more confident when I opened the firm than I was two years into running it. Solo practice
is a very lonely existence. The bar in Cornwall is older, and I was – and still am – the only woman
of colour in criminal law. I felt excluded and isolated, and despite working here for 8 years, I still face
exclusionary tactics by the bar.
I really struggled to find my people, but I have found them, often in places I never expected. These
aren’t necessarily people in law but people I identified with in other silos of my life. And that’s when I
started to feel more comfortable and able to find security and happiness.
INTERVIEW
Interview with 2022
Catzman Award Winner
Neha Chugh
Nadia Chiesa, WeirFoulds LLP
Neha Chugh is a criminal lawyer and the founder of Chugh Law in Cornwall, Ontario, which focuses
on criminal law, family law and child protection law. Neha is the 2022 recipient of the Catzman Award
for Professionalism and Civility.
Q. You founded Chugh Law in 2014. What was your path to opening your own law firm, and
how did you come to serve the Cornwall area?
A. After I graduated from Osgoode Hall in 2011, my husband got a post-doctoral position in Ottawa.
I was a “trailing spouse” in academic terms. I spent my first two years of practise in Ottawa. When he
was offered jobs at either Concordia or in Manitoba, I had already been practising in Eastern Ontario
and looking at a map, I figured that if we lived in Western Quebec, I could easily drive into Cornwall and
work in that area of Ontario.
Q. You have grown Chugh Law from a solo criminal law practice into a firm with more lawyers
and a broader practice area. Tell us about how you built your firm.
A. I first reached out to Yashar Tahmassebipour, now my law partner, and invited him to join me. I
had already been referring work to him, and I was overwhelmed with work. He was facing the same
issues that I was facing – he was new to the Cornwall bar and was balancing practice with two young
kids. As we slowly started to build the family law practice, I proposed that Robert Vitulano, another
local lawyer, join the firm. I had seen him at court and was impressed. I later hired Chandler Thomas,
who had driven out to our firm to drop off her resume twice, first for an articling position and later
for an associateship. I was honoured and excited that she would seek us out, as a rural law firm. I was
pregnant with my third child at the time, and she became indispensable as she covered my practice.
In building the firm, I have learned how “scoopable” mid-level lawyers can be in this market. I hired my
brother as an articling student and he later left the firm when he was headhunted, despite his name
being over the door!
Q. What are the top benefits of running your own firm?
A. One of the biggest benefits of running your own firm is that you get to set the tone. I decided
that I wanted to create a fun, loving, community-oriented place to work. I wanted to bring a mental
health and rehabilitative approach to criminal law practice. I also wanted to create a firm where
parents of young children, both lawyers and staff, could find their place, and be able to manage
their schedules while hitting billing targets. Because I set the tone, I have been able to attract
amazing people who are looking for the same thing.
My favourite thing about having my own firm is that I don’t have to answer to anyone except my
clients. If I finish court at noon, I can call my husband and meet up to split a poutine!
Q. What are some of the challenges of running your own firm?
A. Money is always a challenge. We have to fight with Legal Aid, and I am concerned about making sure
that we hit our billing targets.
It can be tricky to manage sick days and vacation days as there isn’t anyone who can cover. While
clients are understanding, it is hard to reschedule with the Courts.
I have so many checklists running through my mind, figuring out priorities between my family and
my clients and my firm. I do struggle with the guilt of not completely disconnecting when I’m with my
kids or on vacation, but I have figured out what works for me. It’s the trade-off for not punching a clock.
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