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Welcome to "Off the Record"the blog!
A space where content creator and licensed Paralegal Sehmani Leo and collaborators share important legal updates, resources, thoughts and personal experiences in the law.


5 Tips on Court Etiquette!
WATCH THIS INFORMATIVE VIDEO ON COURT ETIQUETTE! Representing yourself in court can feel overwhelming—but knowing proper court etiquette can make a big difference. ⚖️ From how to address the judge to when to speak and what to bring, a little preparation goes a long way. Educating yourself is a powerful first step for anyone navigating the Ontario court system on their own. Here are some tips we share: Preparation Dressing Appropriately How to address the Court Having a repre

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 61 min read


Travelling and Practicing Law: 5 Tips for Staying Prepared as a Licensed Paralegal
Social media post: What I carry in my travel bag for my virtual law firm (Curacoa) - Instagram Let's be honest in today's world, organization and time management sometimes feel like a privileged skill to have. With almost 18 years of experience, I have picked up the do's and dont's on running an ideal practice by watching actions from multiple prospectives. Now - I get to practice and explore the world. I never thought I would have my dream career as I do today - I have creat

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 34 min read


The 'Reel' Legal Question
"Im Not Prepared for This!" Happy New Year! This month, we are going to take a different approach in the 'Reel Legal Question'. This film clip will shine a light on what the 'My Cousin Vinny' film teaches Canadian Paralegals and Lawyers about criminal harassment, charter breaches and being unprepared in a Canadian court. There’s a moment in My Cousin Vinny that every legal professional remembers—not because of brilliant advocacy, but because of the opposite. Vinny Gambini, f

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 38 min read


Opening an Establishment That Sells Alcohol – Legal Considerations Every Owner Should Know
Opening a business that sells alcohol is an exciting venture, but it is also one of the most regulated areas of operation. Alcohol compliance is not a one-time requirement—it is an ongoing responsibility. Licensing Is Only the Beginning Obtaining a liquor licence is just the first step. Owners must understand: Conditions attached to their licence Municipal bylaws and zoning restrictions Advertising and promotion limitations Failure to comply can result in fines, suspensions,

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 31 min read


Legal Research in Practice - How Strong Research Wins Cases Before They Ever Reach Court
Happy New Year! My legal research skills have progressed the more and more I put what I was taught into practice. Often times, issues that come up during your matter, becomes the best teacher - not to mention when the judiciary requires you to provide research in response to a legal question while you are on your feet. Part of what makes us strong advocates is knowing how to think quickly on the spot and pivot! Let's take a deeper dive. Legal research is often spoken about a

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 33 min read


The "Reel" Legal Question
Happy new year legal friends! We are kicking off the new year a little early in the month and below is our featured clip. WATCH the...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 3, 20254 min read


It’s a New Year and New Plans Apply!
Welcome to 2025 legal professionals! 2024 was an amazing year for growth and opportunity and the journey continues. Part of that journey means planning is at the forefront of your action plan to provide better services and professional development. It is NOT a cliche to create a list of goals at the kick-off of the new year. In fact - creating those goals will set you apart from the unprepared entrepreneurs that expect positive results regardless of a lack of planning. A

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 2, 20255 min read


5 Effective Ways to Approach Your Case: A Practical Guide
As a paralegal student, we covered advocacy. Although it was a fundamental way of exposing the students on the foundational ways of...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Feb 21, 20243 min read


Celebrating Black History Month: A Reflection
As we step into the vibrant month of February, I am filled with both pride and gratitude as a Black female paralegal. Black History Month...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Feb 5, 20242 min read


The Gap Between Classroom Learning and Real-World Practice: A Legal Practitioner's Struggle
Here's the thing - as a serial entrepreneur and on-going law student, practice management is very lightly touched on in the classroom and...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Jan 22, 20244 min read


Staying Ahead of the Curve: 5 Strategies for Paralegals to Stay on Top of the Law
In the dynamic field of law, staying on top of the ever-evolving legal landscape is crucial for legal professionals, especially...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Dec 21, 20233 min read


Guiding Lights: The Crucial Role of Mentorship in the Legal Profession
Mentorship is a big component of what I think about while navigating through my legal career. Being a mentor and a mentee is an amazing...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Dec 14, 20233 min read


"Can I Make 6-Figures as a Sole Practitioner?"
Here’s the thing. There is nothing stopping you from meeting your goals as an entrepreneur, not to mention having special skills as a...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Dec 4, 20232 min read


Breaking the Chains: Tackling the Persistent Issue of Reoffending
In the complex landscape of criminal justice, the issue of reoffending stands as a formidable challenge, demanding our collective...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Nov 27, 20232 min read


Starting Your Practice Doesn't Have To Be Hard. Read These 4 Tips
Let’s be real. Stepping into a new era of your life and knowing you are on your own can be daunting. There are many reasons why new graduates or seasoned legal professionals do not decide to open their own practice. Reasons may include: No capital, no practice management training or skills to that effect, no dedicated time to build, no consistent income or networking circles are small. Whatever the reason may be, it halts some of us from taking leaps that mirror bigger firm C

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Nov 24, 20236 min read


The 'Reel' Legal Question
Hello legal friends! It's the last Friday of the month and below is our featured clip. WATCH the following clip and engage with the legal...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Nov 24, 20232 min read


How Technology has Changed the Game for Legal Practitioners
In 2020 - the world changed for many of us. Things that were not accessible remotely prior to COVID-19 were forced to make a pivot for...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Nov 11, 20233 min read


It's Finally Over! My P1 Licensing Journey
Hear me out... 16 years of working in the legal space as a law clerk and a 3-time college drop out... After 17 years of being a mother... 2 years of education and 1 month of placement... Graduation and exam prep... Then after 6 gruelling weeks of waiting for results... I open up my email and I see it: I cried, like I've never cried before. This was the moment I was waiting for. The young teenage girl in me was so proud. I never thought I would see the day where I am shining s

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Nov 11, 20234 min read


"Off the Record" - Launch Day
Welcome to Off the Record, a digital space where the world of law intersects with the unique chapters of my life. I'm Sehmani Leo, your...

Sehmani KingSun-Leo
Nov 11, 20232 min read
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