History of Ottawa Law Firm

Ottawa law firm Auger Hollingsworth had modest beginnings. In 2004, criminal defence lawyer Richard Auger started the firm with one client file, operating in shared office space with another law firm. Months later, Richard’s wife Brenda Hollingsworth, a litigation and personal injury specialist, joined the firm and became an equal partner.

The firm grew quickly as a result of Richard and Brenda’s tireless work ethic. Early successes for clients led to word of mouth referrals and a buzz in the legal and business circles in Ottawa. As word spread about the law firm recognition soon followed. The firm was named the bronze winner of the Ottawa Business Journal’s “New Business of the Year” award in 2006.

Since then, the firm has continued to prosper and grow while maintaining a commitment to providing close personal attention to clients that made the firm a success in its earliest years. Though widely recognized as a leading law firm in Ontario for criminal defence and personal injury law (specializing in car accident, slip and fall, and denied disability cases), each client that the firm signs on has their case worked on by one of the partners at the firm. Though we have remarkable legal support staff, we believe that when a client signs up to work with a firm after meeting with a partner, they expect it will be that partner who is doing the legwork for them. At Auger Hollingsworth, that is how we work.

Looking to Hire an Ottawa Lawyer?

Make sure he or she has a good track record.

If you are looking to hire an Ontario lawyer you probably want a lawyer who is likely to get the results you want. While there is no sure way to know if the case will end in your favour, hiring a lawyer who has a good track record can only help. Years of experience are important but it is more important that your lawyer has consistent positive results.

One way to asses a lawyer’s track record is to look at their case results and testimonials. Most lawyers will have a website where you can access some of this information. Take time to do some research and see if you can have access to some of their case results and client testimonials. It can be very beneficial to hear about the experience that other individuals have had with a particular lawyer.

Another way to look into a lawyer’s track record is to see if they have ever received any awards or distinctions. These kinds of honours show that a lawyer has received particular recognition from local associations, their peers, governing bodies, and professional organizations. A good lawyer will probably include this information on their website since the internet is often the first place individuals go to find information.

You can also assess a lawyer’s track record by finding out if he or she has ever been disciplined by the Law Society. The Law Society deals with any complaints that come up against a lawyer and its purpose it to protect the public. In order to protect the public the Law Society also pursues disciplinary action against lawyers if it becomes necessary. While it may seem awkward to bring up this issue, it is important for you to know if the lawyer has had any complaints filed against him or her or if he or she has ever been disciplined. Although you shouldn’t base your decision about hiring a particular lawyer on this point alone, knowing this kind of information can help you get a complete impression of a lawyer.

Meet the Ottawa Law Firm Partners

Auger Hollingsworth Professional Corporation is run by partners Brenda Hollingsworth and Richard Auger. Richard and Brenda are law partners and husband and wife. They live in Ottawa with their two sons.

Since the firm opened its doors, Richard Auger and Brenda Hollingsworth have established themselves as top-tier lawyers in their fields. They’re expertise translates not only into great results for clients, but into regular and meaningful contributions to their legal fields. Both Richard and Brenda have written legal books for the public, and articles for legal reviews. In addition, they are often asked to comment on legal issues in the media.

Ottawa Law Firm Community Involvement

Community Involvement

Ottawa Law Firm Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers has been committed to giving back to the community since the firm opened its doors in 2004. We understand that we have been fortunate to achieve success in business, and so it has always been a core tenet of the firm to help the community. From the beginning, the firm’s involvement has been three-pronged, focusing on charitable giving, Pro Bono projects and legal education.

Working Pro Bono

Pro bono work is an important and long-standing tradition in the legal profession, and the lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers have shown a desire to offer their services for the public good.

In one major project, the firm represented roughly 150 families whose developmentally challenged relatives were living at the Rideau Regional Centre. After the government announced its decision to close the centre, Brenda Hollingsworth applied for an injunction to stop the closing until families could be heard. As a result, the disabled residents and their families had a say about where in the community they were placed. Since the decision, Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers has offered free legal advice to many of these families as their loved ones enter the community.

Both Brenda and Richard have actively volunteered their services for the Child Advocacy Project (CAP).  CAP is a program operated by Pro Bono Lawyers of Ontario and the Advocates’ Society.  The program helps low income children who need legal help with their education-related problems.  The firm has taken on several cases to help school-age children with learning disabilities or autism and their families as they struggle with issues of discrimination by the public education system.

In another major undertaking, Richard Auger served as part of the Legal Pursuit Team of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s $100 million Legacy Campaign. The team helped to raise funds for facility upgrades, new equipment, leading-edge medical research and ongoing education. Richard himself pledged $5000 towards the goal. Despite some fundraising experts saying the desired $100 million could not be raised, the goal was met and exceeded.

Charitable Giving

Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers is an active supporter of fundraising initiatives in the legal community, sponsoring the annual Law Day Fun Run to raise money for Christie Lake Camp, the Lawyer’s Play which supports the Great Canadian Theatre Company and Helmets on Kids, an initiative designed to help encourage children to wear bicycle helmets to avoid head injuries.

The firm also supports a number of other charitable organizations, including the Ottawa Hospital, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Paraplegic Association, the Head Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley, the United Way and the Ottawa Food Bank.

Legal Education

Both Richard and Brenda are passionate about fostering legal education and contributing to the growth, evolution and understanding of the law.

Richard is a regular lecturer at the University of Ottawa Law School in the Criminal Trial Advocacy course. He enjoys the experience of preparing for lectures, engaging with passionate law students and having the chance to discuss legal matters with the class.

For three years, he served as the volunteer coach and mentor for the University of Ottawa’s Arnup Cup team. In 2006, under Richard’s mentoring, the team won the Arnup Cup and placed third at the national level competition, the Sopinka Cup.  The ride in 2006 was an unforgettable one, as Richard shared in the excitement of the entire process with the students on the team.

Likewise, Brenda is heavily involved in legal education. In the fall semesters of 2007 and 2008, Brenda took considerable time out of her busy practice to act as one of three lead instructors for the University of Ottawa’s third year Trial Advocacy course, taken by students in their final year of law school. Teaching was an enriching experience for Brenda and she thoroughly enjoyed helping students follow in her footsteps before embarking on a career of advocacy. She has also spoken to young lawyers and law students at several conferences sponsored by the Ontario Bar Association.  She has also taught advanced civil litigation to prospective law clerks at Algonquin College.