Trusted Paralegal Services for Markham Residents — Over 30 Years of Experience
Finding the right paralegal in Markham, Ontario can make all the difference in the outcome of your legal matter. Judi Simms Paralegal Professional Corporation, located in nearby Richmond Hill, has been providing trusted legal services to clients throughout York Region — including Markham, Unionville, Thornhill, and Milliken — since 1994. With a team of six skilled professionals and a client-first philosophy built over three decades, we are equipped to handle your immigration, Small Claims Court, or landlord and tenant matter with the care and expertise it deserves.
Judi Simms holds membership with the Law Society of Ontario and the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, and has served as President of the Paralegal Society of Canada since 2008. These credentials reflect not just professional standing, but a genuine, long-standing commitment to the communities we serve across York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
Our firm’s guiding principle — Service First — means that when you come to us, you can expect clear communication, diligent preparation, and skilled representation from start to finish.
Why Markham Residents Trust Judi Simms Paralegal
Markham is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities, recognized nationally for its vibrant and well-established immigrant communities, its thriving technology sector, and its rapidly growing real estate market. These characteristics create a unique set of legal needs — from immigration applications and sponsorships for families reuniting in Canada, to Small Claims disputes arising from business relationships, to landlord and tenant matters in one of the GTA’s most active rental markets.
At Judi Simms Paralegal, we are well-positioned to serve Markham’s community. Our team includes a fully licensed immigration consultant, experienced paralegal staff fluent in the intricacies of Ontario’s legal system, and international partnerships with agencies in Romania, Moldova, Hungary, and Iran. We also maintain relationships with educational institutions in Canada and abroad, helping foreign students find appropriate academic placements.
No matter how complex your situation, our approach remains the same: listen carefully, assess thoroughly, and act decisively on your behalf.
Our Services for Markham Clients
Immigration Law
Markham is home to one of the largest and most established immigrant populations in all of Canada, with strong Chinese, South Asian, Iranian, and Middle Eastern communities, among many others. Immigration matters, whether straightforward or complex, are at the heart of what we do.
Our licensed immigration consultants assist Markham clients with a comprehensive range of immigration services, including:
- Permanent residency and Express Entry applications
- Provincial Nominee Programs (all provinces and territories)
- Spousal and parental sponsorship
- Parent and grandparent Super Visas
- Student visas and study permits
- Temporary resident visas and permits
- Work permits and LMIA applications
- Refugee and humanitarian and compassionate claims
- Pre-Removal Risk Assessments (PRRA)
- Detention reviews
- Immigration appeals before the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada
- Citizenship applications and PR card renewals
- Revocation of landed immigrant status
Markham families navigating the immigration system deserve more than generic advice — they deserve a team that understands the process from every angle and has the experience to think creatively when standard pathways are not available. That is what we bring to every case.
Small Claims Court
Ontario’s Small Claims Court limit increased to $50,000 as of October 1, 2025, raising the stakes considerably for anyone pursuing or defending a claim. For Markham’s business community in particular — home to a dense concentration of technology companies, professional service firms, and small and medium-sized enterprises — this change has made skilled Small Claims representation more valuable than ever.
Whether you are a Markham business owner dealing with a breach of contract, an individual seeking compensation for property damage or unpaid services, or a professional defending against an unfounded claim, Judi Simms Paralegal provides experienced, thorough representation throughout the Small Claims Court process.
Our Small Claims Court services include:
- Case evaluation and litigation strategy
- Preparation of all claim forms, defences, and supporting documentation
- Evidence gathering, organization, and submission
- Representation at settlement conferences and trials
- Mediation and out-of-court settlement negotiation
The court’s increasing emphasis on comprehensive documentation and evidence-based proceedings means self-representation carries growing risk — particularly as claim values approach the new $50,000 ceiling. Our team knows what judges expect, and we prepare every case accordingly.
Landlord and Tenant Matters
Markham’s real estate market is among the most active in the Greater Toronto Area, with a large and growing rental sector serving everyone from young professionals and students to newcomer families and seniors. Disputes between landlords and tenants are an inevitable part of this landscape — and navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) without experienced representation can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
Ontario’s rental landscape changed significantly with the passage of Bill 60 in November 2025. Markham landlords and tenants need to understand how these legislative updates affect their rights and obligations:
- Landlords may now apply to the LTB for eviction due to non-payment of rent within 7 days of serving an N4 Notice — down from the previous 14-day window
- Fixed-term leases no longer automatically convert to month-to-month tenancies upon expiry, giving landlords greater flexibility to renegotiate lease terms
- Landlords issuing an N12 Notice for personal use are no longer required to provide one month’s rent compensation, but must provide 120 days’ notice to the tenant
- The LTB appeal period has been reduced from 30 to 15 days
Acting quickly and correctly under the new rules is essential. Our team is fully up to date on these legislative changes and can advise both landlords and tenants on the most effective course of action.
Our landlord and tenant services include:
- Preparation and review of all required LTB forms and notices, including N4, N12, and other applications
- Lease agreement review and guidance
- Representation at all LTB hearings
- Eviction proceedings and defence
- Advice on tenant rights, maintenance issues, and rent disputes
Additional Legal Services
In addition to our core practice areas, Markham clients can access a full range of supplementary legal and professional services:
- Notarization — certified notarization of affidavits, statutory declarations, and legal documents for personal, business, and immigration purposes
- Commissioner of Oaths — Judi Simms is a Commissioner of Oaths and can administer oaths and verify documents across all forums, with trained support staff available for timely, accessible service
- Translation Services — professional document translation for legal, immigration, business, and personal matters, formatted to meet official requirements
- Contract Review and Negotiation — practical guidance on key contract terms, obligations, and enforceability for both business and personal agreements
- Mediation — Judi Simms is a trained mediator certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution through the University of Windsor Law School, offering professional mediation for business disputes, family matters, and civil conflicts
For Markham’s business community and its multicultural population, these services offer a one-stop resource for a wide range of legal and professional needs.
Frequently Asked Questions from Markham Clients
Under the new rules introduced by Bill 60, tenants now have 7 days from the date of the N4 Notice to pay the outstanding rent before the landlord can apply to the LTB for eviction. If you have received an N4 Notice and are unsure of your options, contact us immediately — time is critical.
The best first step is a consultation with our team. We will review the facts of your situation, assess the strength of your claim, and provide honest, practical advice on whether proceeding is in your best interest.
In Ontario, licensed paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario and are authorized to represent clients in specific areas of law, including immigration tribunals, Small Claims Court, and the Landlord and Tenant Board. For the matters we handle, a qualified paralegal provides the same level of professional representation as a lawyer — often at a lower cost.
We serve clients from a wide variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds and are sensitive to the unique needs of Markham’s diverse communities. We encourage you to reach out directly to discuss how we can best support your specific situation.
Yes. We serve clients throughout the City of Markham, including its communities of Unionville, Thornhill, Milliken, Cornell, Angus Glen, and beyond.
Our office at 41 Regent Street in Richmond Hill is conveniently located just minutes from Markham via Highway 404 or 16th Avenue. The drive is typically under 15 minutes from most parts of Markham, and we also accommodate consultations by phone or email for your convenience.
Book a Consultation — Markham’s Trusted Paralegal Team
For over 30 years, Judi Simms Paralegal Professional Corporation has been helping clients in Markham and throughout York Region navigate the legal system with confidence. Whether your matter is straightforward or complex, our team is ready to listen, advise, and act on your behalf.
Call us today at 905-737-9747 Email: jsimms@rogers.com Visit: 41 Regent Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 9E2
We respond to all inquiries within one business day. Take the first step today.
