Conflict Strategy & Advisory
An independent perspective when the stakes are personal.
When you're in the middle of a conflict, perspective can be difficult to come by.
Particularly when the stakes are personal, professional, financial—or all three.
You may have excellent advice, strong convictions, and a perfectly reasonable plan. You may also have assumptions worth challenging.
Sometimes what you need is an experienced, independent perspective before deciding what to do next.
Private Conflict Consultation is a one-hour, one-to-one conversation with Susannah Margison, combining strategic advice and individualized coaching to help you think through a difficult situation and determine your next move.
A different kind of conversation
When you're personally involved in a conflict, it's not always easy to distinguish between what you know, what you believe, what you fear, and what you want.
The people around you may have opinions. Some may have interests of their own. Others may be giving you excellent advice without fully appreciating the broader circumstances you're navigating.
Susannah brings nearly fifteen years of professional experience in conflict resolution, including more than a decade as a trial lawyer and her current practice as a mediator.
Her approach is thoughtful, direct, and practical.
She'll listen carefully, ask questions, challenge assumptions where appropriate, and help you consider the situation from perspectives you may not have explored.
The objective isn't simply to agree with you. It's to help you think.
When might a consultation be useful?
You might benefit from a Private Conflict Consultation if:
You're facing a consequential decision and aren't sure whether you're approaching it clearly.
You're receiving conflicting advice from people you trust.
You're struggling to balance accountability for something that's happened with protecting your own interests.
You're so concerned about another person's reaction that you're having difficulty identifying what you actually want.
A professional, business, or personal conflict has begun affecting other parts of your life.
You've received legal or other professional advice but are struggling to determine what to do with it.
You know something needs to change, but you're uncertain about your next move.
You don't need to have a fully formed question or a particular outcome in mind.
Sometimes identifying the right question is part of the work.
What happens during a consultation?
The conversation begins with a deceptively simple question:
What do you want?
From there, Susannah works with you to examine your circumstances, clarify your objectives, consider your options, and identify what may be influencing your decisions.
Depending on the situation, that might involve challenging an assumption, examining the advice you've received, considering the consequences of a particular course of action, or identifying information you need before making a decision.
You may leave with a different perspective on the problem, greater confidence in a decision you've already been considering, or a practical next step you hadn't previously identified.
The aim isn't to make decisions for you.
It's to help you make decisions you understand and can stand behind.
Consultation details
Private Conflict Consultation
60-minute virtual consultation
Fee: $550 CAD + HST
The consultation includes an individualized discussion, strategic perspective, and one-to-one coaching tailored to your circumstances.
The fee does not include advance document review, preparation outside the consultation, a written memorandum, or follow-up services.
Additional consultations may be arranged separately where appropriate.
A note about the nature of the service
Private Conflict Consultation is distinct from mediation and legal representation.
It is a private, individual consultation intended to support strategic thinking and decision-making. It does not involve mediating between parties.
Although Susannah is a licensed lawyer, the consultation does not, by itself, establish a lawyer-client relationship or include legal representation. Any legal services require a separate engagement.
All inquiries are subject to an initial suitability and conflicts assessment before an appointment is confirmed.
Arrange a consultation
If you're navigating a difficult or consequential conflict and would value an experienced, independent perspective, you're welcome to inquire about a Private Conflict Consultation.
Following an initial review to determine whether the service is appropriate for your circumstances, you'll receive information about scheduling and payment.