Alina Nikolaeva | Vancouver Corporate Lawyer

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
I assisted my client in selling his business. Later we found out that there was a problem with a required filing under the Excise Tax Act that would have exempted transaction (acquisition of an entire business) from application of GST. CRA proposed to reassess my client for tens of thousands of dollars as he was a seller and as such responsible for collecting and remitting GST. If CRA’s reassessment was confirmed, my client would have to pay to the CRA, then sue the purchaser for the same amount, then the purchaser (provided my client’s lawsuit was successful) would have to pay to my client and claim from the CRA for that amount to be reimbursed – thus, money would have travelled the full circle to bring about the same result as if no reassessment had occurred except that all the parties would have had a couple of years of dealing with it, spending time and money. CRA’s position was technically correct, but I worked with the agent, team leader and the manager and convinced them to not reassess.

How did you build a successful practice?
I like what I do. I constantly read up on it to stay on top of all new developments. I like using that knowledge and interest for devising ways to solve clients' problems, or better yet to devise a structure that avoids them.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
At the initial contact: Someone who listens. Someone the client can trust. Someone who understands the clients' position/goal. Someone you can work with.

Later on: The quality of the work the lawyer does; how punctual the lawyer is, how responsive he or she is.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
Determine whether a person actually needs a lawyer, what type of law and what are the first steps;
Whether there are any first steps the clients take themselves;
If nothing can or should be done by the clients, how to prepare and what documents to bring for a meeting with a lawyer;
Timing issues – whether the matters shall be attended to urgently or there is still time.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
The client should be able to describe the situation, so that a lawyer can identify the issues and then determine what needs to be done: whether the clients are in a position to resolve the situation or a part of it themselves or whether they need a lawyer and how urgently.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I am a corporate, commercial, business and tax lawyer – I specialize in tax, including tax planning for individuals and corporations, estate planning, resolving tax disputes - corporate, commercial and business law are instrumental in implementing tax structures. On the other hand, tax is an important consideration for the corporate, commercial and business transactions. So, I see the areas I practice as complimentary to each other.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Solving a difficult issue;
A job well done – when results are achieved and clients are content – I am happy for the client and for myself;
The clients saying thanks and coming back every time they need advice.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I paint, love music and books.
I have 2 kids and spend a lot of my free time with them biking, scootering, doing art projects, learning Russian and French.

Are you involved in your community?
Just participated in the Free Will Month – an event organized by Capacity Marketing For Charities an entity that helps charities raise funds.

• Member | Law society of British Colombia

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