INTERVIEW WITH ANISA ARRA

The following interview captures the essence of Anisa’s commitment to the community and provides a glimpse into her inspiring journey as a lawyer in Toronto

What sets you apart in the role of an entrepreneur in the legal world?

To me, being an entrepreneur means being innovative, and seeking to disrupt the way things are being done in favour of better and more efficient ways of doing them. For a lawyer, innovation cannot refer to the way you advocate for your clients because that is dictated by the legal system, professional obligations, and legal precedence. When I advocate for my clients, I am not an entrepreneur, I am their lawyer.  But when I am managing my firm, I am an entrepreneur. Lawyers are usually slow to adopt new technologies. In my firm, we embrace them and even create them. Our main innovation is in the way we service our clients – our ALF app, the one-stop client portal that has made lawyer-client communication faster and easier than ever before, and our flexible fee system that facilitates access to justice.

How do you manage your law firm, and how has collaboration with another Albanian woman influenced this process?

Managing a law firm has many aspects, such as compliance with onerous accounting obligations, employee management and mentoring of younger lawyers and law students, client management, networking, business development and marketing, and budgeting. It is a challenging task to stay on top of all these obligations, in addition to having a high caseload of files and deadlines. Although, I successfully managed the firm on my own for 6 years, it has been a welcome development to now have a partner who shares the same vision for the firm and brings the same energy to build it. Paola and I are different and the same in the right ways that make us compatible and great for each other. She shares some of my management responsibilities so we can grow to do bigger and better things. In addition, to these advantages, it has been wonderful to see our practice areas expand to a more robust civil litigation department, condominium law department, and family law department. ALF is also growing to add immigration law to our range of services. The fact that we are both Albanian women is a happy coincidence and, I believe, it helps create a deeper understanding between us of the psycho-social dynamics which have shaped us and we are better able to reach and serve the Albanian community.

Why did you choose to specialize in a specific field of justice?

In the realm of legal expertise, my focus lies in the areas of real estate and business law because I love working with visionary entrepreneurs. While my professional portfolio encompasses a diverse array of clients engaged in real estate transactions—ranging from transient buyers and sellers to seasoned investors—I find myself professionally drawn to the sustained relationships with the latter. I love witnessing and actively contributing with my legal expertise to the growth of their financial portfolios through real estate investing. It is inspiring to me personally.  There is an inherent gratification working with people with an entrepreneurial mindset.

I also derive immense satisfaction from being a part of start-ups endeavoring to effect positive change in the world, whether on a grand or modest scale.  I enjoy the corporate law work, negotiating on behalf of my clients, advocating for their best interests and ensuring they secure the best deals that propel their ventures forward.

What are the challenges and advantages of this specialization?

Practicing i real estate law presents a unique challenge, primarily rooted in the prevalent misconception regarding the role of a real estate lawyer, which is pivotal in the transaction. It is a very competitive area of law with many firms competing by offering the lowest price and undercutting service or due diligence. In this highly competitive setting, where the race to the bottom is all too common, I’ve made a deliberate choice to steer clear of such a trajectory. Although our fees remain flexible and reasonable, I refuse to compromise the integrity of our services. Instead, I leverage the competition, to find better ways to serve our clients. This involves developing novel ways to enhance our client experience, exemplified by the development of our exclusive app and the cultivation of robust relationships with both clients and our referral network. These strategic measures not only differentiate us but also contribute to a seamless execution of real estate deals.

The advantages inherent in my specialization extend beyond the immediate legal landscape. Our expansive business network, fostered through meticulous attention to client needs, further reinforces our standing in the field. Building enduring relationships with clients who resonate with our approach is a gratifying aspect of my practice. Additionally, the accelerated pace of real estate and business transactions in this dynamic environment has afforded me a wealth of expertise, thanks to the substantial volume of work handled.

In essence, the challenges are met with a commitment to excellence, utilizing competition as a catalyst for innovation, and embracing the advantages that come with specialization in real estate law.

How do you view the role of women in the legal profession, and how can they contribute to the advancement of justice and equality?

Women play a crucial role in the legal profession as we offer a different perspective. I find female lawyers to often be better negotiators in finding creative ways to resolve or settle a dispute in a manner that is beneficial to both parties. I find male lawyers more prone to use intimidation, which unfortunately for them does not succeed with me, but creates roadblocks to a better resolution. Some male lawyers, of an older generation, have acted condescendingly with me and offered me unsolicited advice on how I should talk, dress, or run my practice, which is extremely unprofessional, especially when they are less successful than me. 

In addition to being often better negotiators, generally women tend to make better employers as they are more likely to prioritize work-life balance by promoting policies within law firms and legal organizations that support parental leave and flexible work arrangements which create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women lawyers who are mothers. The current problem with women exiting big law firms is primarily caused by a lack of work-life balance.

Women contribute to the advancement of justice and equality through representation and diversity advocacy. When women are in positions of leadership within law firms, legal organizations, and judicial roles it ensures that more diverse and equitable perspectives are considered in decision-making processes. Women also serve as mentors for aspiring women lawyers and are more likely to contribute to the professional growth of other women in the field. Women lawyers, either actively or through mere representations, advocate for greater gender equality in our society and workplaces to address or eliminate gender bias and discrimination within the legal system contributes to create a more just and equitable legal environment and society.

How do you integrate your community engagement into your legal practice?

As a self-employed lawyer, I’ve embraced a work life that offers both flexibility and purpose. The autonomy I have in determining my hours, meetings, and workload is fundamental. While the pressure to sustain my practice is considerable, the freedom I enjoy in shaping my days allows me to align personal and professional growth. Flexibility is not just a perk; it’s a strategic choice. Whether starting my day later, attending midday meetings, or leaving earlier, each decision is tailored to propel me forward personally and professionally. This flexibility extends beyond mere convenience; it empowers me to undertake projects driven by passion rather than immediate financial returns. Engaging in initiatives that lack immediate monetary rewards but promise personal fulfillment is a conscious choice. These projects, aimed at instigating positive community change, are a testament to my continuing personal commitment to making a meaningful impact in the world. Such efforts not only contribute to the betterment of the community but also play a vital role in my evolution as a leader, a lawyer, and a entrepreneur.

What projects or issues are you most committed to?

Currently, I am serving my second term as president of Young Women in Law (YWL), a Toronto-based organization aimed at advancing the professional needs and careers of young women lawyers. I love this organization and I first became involved in it as an events committee member, after moderating a panel event for YWL, the board liked my work and invited me to apply to join the board. I applied and was appointed Treasurer of the organization. A few months later, I was appointed president. At that time, I stepped down from my role as president of the organization I had founded and loved, Albanian-Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA), to relieve myself of a perceived conflict and allow a new person to take the reins and add their unique perspective, skills, and experience to the organization. I was lucky to have Marin Nati succeed me at ACLA, as he has been doing an amazing job leading the organization.

Presently, I am deeply involved in the Albanian-Canadian Community Association’s ambitious project to build our first community center in Canada. Having secured charity status for the organization, we are embarking on the next phase of this substantial multimillion-dollar initiative, envisioning it as an important legacy for our community. In this venture, I am working with several dedicated individuals and community leaders—Bujar Zejnullahu, Alban Merepeza, Ruki Kondaj, Rex Ferati and Irene Breznica— who initiated the project prior to my involvement and have poured countless of volunteer hours toward the Albanian community. We often take them for granted but our community leaders have done remarkable work for our relatively small community in Canada. Their collective efforts are exemplified by initiatives such as the Albanian Heritage Month Act, a bill spearheaded by Ruki Kondaj, which has successfully passed its first reading in Parliament.  

In building the community center, we are not alone and recognize that the strength of our endeavors lies in collaboration, and to that end, we are in the process of engaging fundraising experts from outside the community. These professionals bring invaluable experience from completing similar projects for diverse communities in Toronto. Although, I cannot divulge more information at this preparatory stage, I am confident the work will speak for itself in the months and years to come.

Moreover, I currently serve as a Council Member with St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation, actively contributing to fundraising endeavors aimed at constructing a new wing for the hospital. Through this engagement, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with individuals who not only possess the means to assist in the development of the Albanian community center but have also evolved into dear friends and supporters.

What advice do you have for those who want to build a career in the field of justice, especially for young people and women?

You have to have unwavering commitment and genuine passion for the law. It is a profession which takes every ounce of dedication out of you, and if you do not love it, you will not be happy. You meet your clients sometimes at their worst, they come to you with problems, and it is on you to solve them. The responsibility to navigate them through bad legal problems falls squarely on your shoulders, making it both challenging and inherently stressful. In order to do this job day in and day out, you have to find a personal fulfillment and satisfaction out of it. Before committing to the path of law, I strongly advise aspiring individuals, especially young people and women, to immerse themselves in the reality of the legal realm. Shadow a lawyer, volunteer in a law firm, and witness firsthand the demands and rewards of this profession.

My office door is open to those exploring this professional journey. It’s crucial to gain insights into the practice of law, ensuring that it aligns with your passion and resonates with your sense of purpose.

How do you build a network of friendship in the legal community? How is collaboration and mutual assistance rewarded among colleagues?

There is a lot of camaraderie and collegiality among lawyers.  While we may face each other on opposite sides of a case, we rarely lose perspective that this is our job and we maintain, at least generally, high professionalism and respect for each other. It is not uncommon for opposing counsels to become friends when the case is over. At times, they may even refer me clients. Participation in various legal events is another avenue for expanding our network. Whether attending for networking purposes or fulfilling our required professional development hours, these events offer opportunities to connect with new colleagues. As law is a vast area that requires high specialization, we often need to collaborate or seek advice from seasoned lawyers. Such advice and mentorship is easily granted by other lawyers. This is one of the reasons I love this profession, our overarching commitment to the law itself, and reciprocally, I am committed to giving back. When new lawyers seek my advice or mentorship, I am more than willing to share my experiences and knowledge.

Any new projects on the horizon?

Recently, I opened a new office for my law practice in the charming town of Dundas, Ontario. The office is at the heart of Dundas and it fulfills my dream of having a law office in a small town, while concurrently advancing my overarching goal of developing a law firm with a nationwide footprint. Growing this location is currently an important aspect of my practice but, fortunately, I am not alone. My partner Paola Beci has been instrumental in this endeavour and shares the same ambition. She works tirelessly alongside me so we grow a thriving law firm together. I respect Paola as a lawyer, and I am thankful for her as business partner and friend. The ongoing project to expand our firm is a central focus that will demand a substantial investment of my time and efforts in the years to come.