TESTIMONIALS
We work with carefully-selected clients who share our fierce determination to solve problems. Here are some of their comments about working with Applied Strategies.
"Stephen has converted me into believing in consultants! When we realized that we had outgrown the management structure we had created when our firm was tiny, we needed help from someone who knew something about running a medium sized firm. Stephen brings with him a wealth of knowledge but, more importantly, he provided practical suggestions that really fit with who we are. He also didn't need to have countless meetings with us before giving us feedback on what we should be doing differently. It's as though he "got us" right away and didn't waste our time (or our money) on the unnecessary stuff."
Renée Pelletier, Managing Partner, Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP
"If you want experience, knowledge and ultimately practical advice regarding the operation of a law firm no matter the size, then I highly recommend Steve... he has helped our firm immensely over the past number of years and we are most appreciative of his contribution... it's like have a CEO on retainer."
Ronald A. Pink, Q.C., Pink Larkin
"Stephen's sage counsel assisted us during a rapid period of growth in our business. He helped us figure out what we needed and who we needed to support a bigger business. Each time he took on a project for us such as recruitment and financing the results were well beyond our expectations. His practical advice, clear vision, and deep experience has been invaluable to us."
Janice Rubin, Rubin Thomlinson LLP
"When an agreement became a necessity to allow for succession planning and the entry of new partners, we asked Stephen to help us work through what to us appeared to be an endless list of intractable issues. He was knowledgeable, efficient, creative, and easy to work with and, with his help, we worked our way through the issues in short order - just what we needed. Both Rob and I highly recommend Stephen."
Jim Titerle, Miller Titerle + Company
"Steve is an incredible resource for anyone looking to get clarity on their practice. He has the uncanny ability to deliver meaningful and effective approaches to the business of law, while maintaining a consistently fresh perspective. He has been a guide, a sounding board, and a confidante through my journey in building my practice and without a doubt has made the growth of the business smooth and effective. In the face of all the challenges that being a business owner brings along, Steve always brings confidence and perspective back to the picture. As an entrepreneur, the ability to have a resource that brings reliable, knowledgeable and practical advice to the table is invaluable. I would recommend Steve to anyone looking to boost their practice and focus on a smoother road ahead."
Emma C. Michael, BA, JD, Michael and Associates Professional Corp.
"Stephen was invaluable in helping us steer through a difficult time of transition within our firm. Like many firms we were faced with the question of "where do we go from here"? With Stephen's guidance and insight we were able to navigate through the issues, terminate the staff that we needed to terminate and refresh and revitalize the practice in general. We now have a much clearer path to be able to achieve our goals and continue on our road of growth."
John Weir, Managing Partner, McCarter Grespan
"Steve possesses that rare ability to bluntly deliver tough and practical business advice, while maintaining his personal warmth and good humour. He provides excellent input, creative ideas and strong value. He is also a delight to work with. He has my highest regard."
Sandra Dawe, Managing Partner, Shibley Righton
"Stephen came to assist our firm during a time of uncertainty and turmoil. He delivered blunt and practical advice in how to deal with both the issues that we asked him to help with, and the issues that he identified independently as important to our firm. Stephen helped us challenge our long-held assumptions and seek out creative and innovative solutions to problems we had not even identified before. Stephen did this with a sense of humor, but also dealing fairly and respectfully with all of the various personalities in our firm. I recommend Stephen highly".
Chris Rootham, Executive Committee, Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP
"I had the pleasure of attending a CBA conference in which Stephen facilitated a large section. He intrigued me with his knowledge and presentation style. This led me to contract him to present at our firm's "All Lawyers'" meeting this fall. At our firm's meeting Stephen proved himself to be an expert in the legal industry. His affable manner was balanced with his professionalism. He was extremely helpful in giving us direction on how to structure our day as well as provided us with a very interesting presentation on trends in the legal industry. He captivated a room full of lawyers who provided him with a very strong and resounding "great" in our post meeting survey. We will definitely be using Stephen in the future."
Dawn M. Shive, Chief Operating Officer, Patterson Law
"Stephen has been invaluable in assisting with and guiding us through our strategic planning process. His broad knowledge and experience, combined with his engaging and inclusive facilitation style, promotes thoughtful and productive discussion among our partners. We look forward to continuing our working relationship with Stephen"
Darren R. Bieganek, LLB, QC, Partner, Duncan Craig LLP
“Stephen’s guidance, patience and network (i.e. partnership counsel / expert) assisted us in successfully completing a partnership agreement in 2013. He took the time to get to understand our culture, our objectives and frankly our various personalities and interests. Stephen played an invaluable role in both the process and ultimately the actual content of the agreement. On a purely cost-benefit analysis, our partnership has profited from our relationship with Stephen. The relationship continues today and we routinely rely on his advice”.
Michael Sherrard, Managing Partner, Sherrard Kuzz LLP
"Stephen possesses a keen and analytical mind, enriched with a wealth of knowledge and experience. The result is great wisdom. He is engaging, confident, optimistic and genuine. All of these qualities forge the necessary trust which permits him to provide forthright advice. In my experience, there is no problem for which Stephen does not have a solution and his solutions are invariably right on the money."
Peter Cronyn, Executive Committee, Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP
"Stephen Mabey was of great assistance in the development of our partnership agreement, particularly in addressing our unique circumstances surrounding partner compensation and a retirement plan. Stephen delivered sound and reasonable advice, and provided experienced guidance. Stephen was very prompt and responsive throughout his engagement. Stephen Mabey was a pleasure to work with and we are grateful for his services.
Paul Scargall & Matthew Owen-King, Scargall Owen-King LLP
"Steve has been instrumental in the growth and success of Stewart McKelvey. He knows and understands law firms, lawyers and what makes them successful and that, combined with his knowledge of the legal industry, allows him to accurately assess a firm's strengths and weakness and exactly what is required to enhance performance. Steve always pushes the leading edge in terms of new ideas and new ways to carry on business."
Paul Smith, Chair, Stewart McKelvey
"I first came across Stephen through a couple of articles he authored which really resonated with me. I was dealing with a couple of operational issues at the time so I decided to call him to see if he would help us out. Stephen was an excellent resource, providing insightful advice on a timely basis and within the budget we agreed to. He continues to provide me with resource materials that hopefully allow us to stay ahead of shifts in the business side of our profession. Slater Vecchio LLP would not hesitate to retain Stephen's services again."
Michael Slater Q.C., Partner, Slater Vecchio LLP
"Stephen clearly understands the intricacies of how lawyers tend to fall into the same 'traps' in managing their practices, and how this conflicts with achieving the best in client deliverables and profitability. He never fails to impress me in his ability to cut to the core of an issue and propose a range of solutions."
Sam De Caprio, Partner, Blaney McMurtry LLP
"Steve is just great. He has a wonderful, infectious personality that accompanies his substantive expertise. He knows the ins and outs of law firm management, administration and marketing but he's also a very practical and patient person. His longevity at Stewart McKelvey is a true testament to both his value and his pragmatism.”
Sally Schmidt, President, Schmidt Marketing, Inc.
“Stephen is one of the most organized, goal-oriented marketers I have met. He instantly recognizes a good idea and proceeds to capitalize on it. He's an excellent public speaker and have heard him talk at marketing conferences I attend. We worked together successfully on revamping the website of his firm, Stewart McKelvey, and he is a pleasure to work with.”
Larry Bodine, Business Development Advisor, Larry Bodine Marketing
“Steve is a forward thinker who is always creating and implementing new ideas in his endeavours. As a result, he is considered one of the thought leaders in the legal management profession. I have worked with Steve on international initiatives for the Association of Legal Administrators and have always found him a pleasure to work with.”
Colin Cameron, Chief Operating Officer, Clark Wilson LLP
“Steve is hands down one of the best businessman I have had the pleasure of working with. I consider myself very fortunate to have been mentored by Steve over the past 10 years. It has always been obvious to me that Steve is highly regarded by his staff and business partners. He is viewed as a kind, generous, and genuine human being who above all else can be trusted and relied upon. Steve rarely seeks the limelight and much prefers to have his team take credit for any success - yet it is evident to all that he is frequently the mastermind behind strategic initiatives. In the midst of major corporate events, Steve is often the person that people count on to maintain a level head and he ensures that people do not take their 'eye off of the ball'. He is tremendously skilled at analyzing complex situations, devising strategies, implementing them, and convincing others to join him. I would not hesitate to unequivocally recommend Steve. Anyone could benefit from his down-to-earth practical advice.”
Christopher McNamara, Founder and Director, Medusa Medical Technologies
“Steve is a man of vision who works tirelessly for the betterment of his organization. In the five years that I have worked with Steve I have always been engaged and challenged in all the projects that I have undertaken. Steve brings enormous enthusiasm to everything he does. Any organization that employs him will be well served.”
Susanna Duke, Knowledge Coordinator, Stewart McKelvey
