Sandy Hutchens |
| President |
| Tenant's Rights Company Inc., Thornhill, Ontario |
|
Canada |
About Sandy Hutchens
Background
As the first person in Ontario to achieve Paralegal Litigator accreditation from the Canadian Paralegal Association, Sandy Hutchens has made strides on behalf of the industry. Not only does he represent a groundbreaking achievement with a 99 percent mark on every one of the certification's four final exams, but Sandy Hutchens also draws much needed attention to the paralegal cause. As a constituent of The Paralegal Association of Canada, Sandy Hutchens played an instrumental role in the Cory Commission's efforts to get paralegals properly licensed in Ontario. With his position as President of Tenant's Rights Company Inc., Sandy Hutchens represented the public in small claims court, traffic court, family court, and landlord and tenant matters. Handling thousands of client cases on the company's behalf, Sandy Hutchens earned the distinction of being the first and only paralegal in Ontario allowed before the Court of Appeal and Divisional Court in landlord-tenant dispute matters. In addition to his former Paralegal Litigator duties, Sandy Hutchens led swearing affidavits with Tenants Rights Company Inc. as Commissioner of Oaths for the Province of Ontario.
Legal Achievements
In a paralegal first, Sandy Hutchens obtained costs equal to a lawyer and client basis in two Ontario courts. Sandy Hutchens also achieved 631 reported decisions in the Ontario Court of Justice while serving with Tenants Rights Company Inc. Concurrent with his landlord and tenant mattes, Sandy Hutchens focused on women's issues in court. Sandy Hutchens took on cases of abuse and other urgent family law matters for those seeking refuge in battered women's shelters. Using his Paralegal Litigator certification, Sandy Hutchens reunited children with their mothers and placed restraining orders against these women's abusive husbands or boyfriends. Outside of the courtroom, Sandy Hutchens encourages people to break the cycle of self-inflicted abuse by contributing to alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs, such as the Ontario Walk-A-Thon.
For more than 25 years, paralegal Sandy Hutchens was synonymous with tenant’s rights and legal support as proprietor of the Toronto, Canada-based Tenant’s Rights Company, Inc. During this time, Sandy Hutchens participated in numerous legal cases concerning landlords and tenants, rental scams and fraud, and other types of issues brought before various small claims and traffic courts in and around Ontario. As the only paralegal allowed to represent clients in the Ontario Divisional Court and Court of Appeal, Sandy Hutchens helped to ensure justice and fair compensation for a wide variety of tenants across the nation.
In his role as founder and President of Tenant’s Rights Company, Inc., Sandy Hutchens dedicated his services to those most in need of legal representation. At Tenant’s Rights Company, Inc., Sandy Hutchens took part in more than 3,000 trials involving tenant and landlord disputes; brought thousands of cases before judges of traffic court and small claims court; and assisted the occupants of various women’s shelters with matters related to family law. In addition, Sandy Hutchens served as Commissioner of Oaths for the Province of Ontario during his long tenure as a Canadian paralegal.
Sandy Hutchens bolstered his career as a paralegal through an intensive course of training at the Canadian Paralegal Association. During this time, Sandy Hutchens performed as an outstanding candidate at the Canadian Paralegal Association, and additionally held membership in a number of campus-wide student groups, including the Crisis Counseling Club and the Chess Club. The top-ranked student at the Canadian Paralegal Association, Sandy Hutchens earned scores of 99 percent for each of his four final exams. Upon graduation, Sandy Hutchens both became a full-fledged member of the Canadian Paralegal Association and gained designation as a Paralegal Litigator (P.L.L.) from his alma mater. These credentials set Sandy Hutchens apart from other paralegals in his field, as he was the first in the country ever to receive the P.L.L. degree. As a result of his stellar performance at and subsequent affiliation with the Canadian Paralegal Association, Sandy Hutchens would serve as a model graduate of the program and set the gold standard for all future students of the school.
In his work as a paralegal, Sandy Hutchens maintained a broad focus on all matters related to tenant rights, women’s shelters, and much more. A highly esteemed Canadian paralegal, recognized for his presence in the courtroom and elsewhere, Sandy Hutchens provided essential services to individuals in need of multiple types of legal assistance. Among Canadian paralegals, Sandy Hutchens gained a solid reputation for his work, and accumulated a number of significant victories over the course of his tenure in the legal profession. As he practiced in Canada, paralegal Sandy Hutchens was considered an officer of the court, held the right to bring various cases before judges, and operated as a formal part of the Canadian legal system. Furthermore, Sandy Hutchens – like all licensed paralegals in Ontario – could independently represent individuals in summary conviction criminal court, provincial offenses court, administrative tribunals, and small claims court. Canadian paralegals cannot independently practice law in matters permitted only for attorneys.
When individuals came to Sandy Hutchens to help resolve issues stemming from landlord-tenant relationships, they would benefit from his years of expertise and commitment to work one-on-one with each client. As one case is always different from the next, Sandy Hutchens would analyze the finer points of each client’s situation, ensuring the best possible legal representation.
Though retired from his formal career as a paralegal, Sandy Hutchens will always hold a profound interest in all aspects of the law, the Canadian legal system, and the ongoing struggle for tenants’ rights, in particular. Today, Sandy Hutchens devotes his time, energy, and resources to a vast array of charitable and humanitarian efforts in North America and abroad, and has earned sweeping recognition for his continued service to the community. Throughout his life and career, Sandy Hutchens has long maintained a commitment to the preservation and humane treatment of domesticated and wild animals alike. A generous contributor to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Sandy Hutchens has helped the global organization combat the problems associated with fur trapping, farm feedlots, and other situations that can damage animals’ livelihoods. In addition, Sandy Hutchens supports the sheltering efforts and cruelty investigations of the Ontario SPCA; the educational and global advocacy work of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, originator of the Libearty campaign; and the World Wildlife Fund (also known as the World Wide Fund for Nature), which continues its mission to save plants and animals from extinction across the globe.
Sandy Hutchens also maintains involvement with programs and research to combat serious diseases. Through his support of the Terry Fox Foundation, Sandy Hutchens ensures the continued research into cancer prevention and cures through the Marathon of Hope and the Canadian Cancer Society. Concerned with multiple sclerosis as well, Sandy Hutchens has given to the MS Society of Canada, which funds research and treatments for those who suffer from the disease. For years, Sandy Hutchens has contributed to Renascent and various Ontario Walk-a-Thons, which provide medical and social assistance to individuals afflicted with alcoholism and drug addiction, helping them live independent, substance-free lives.
In his free time, Sandy Hutchens enjoys a variety of recreational activities. A longtime basketball enthusiast, Sandy Hutchens additionally loves hockey and soccer. During his quieter moments, Sandy Hutchens prefers to relax with a good book. At present, Sandy Hutchens lives and works in Canada. More information on Sandy Hutchens’ career and life history can be found at his official website: sandyhutchens.com.
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