Profile
How Melissa Miller advocates for accountability in elder care
The trusted trial lawyer is best known for cases that involve negligence in nursing homes and long-term-care facilities
Melissa Miller is a recognized advocate in elder law, dedicated to protecting the rights, dignity and safety of some of Canada’s most vulnerable citizens. The partner at Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP has built a distinguished practice representing victims of nursing home negligence, long-term-care failures and elder abuse, while also taking on a wide range of other serious personal injury cases. She is a formidable trial lawyer, prepared to take complex cases to court when needed. Outside the courtroom, Miller is a leading voice for systemic reform. She has founded national advocacy organizations, influenced legislative change and raised public awareness of the long-term-care crisis in Canada.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
It’s rewarding to help my clients navigate what is often the worst tragedy of their lives. I am able to assist my clients with getting answers to burning questions about what happened to them or their loved one, find closure and move forward.
What can a client expect when they hire you?
That I become truly invested in their case. I’ll care about the outcome deeply. And I’ll fight as hard as I can, going the distance to trial if needed.
What is the greatest challenge facing your area of practice?
I don’t have enough hours in a day. I have a novel area of practice, and many people want my help. But I’m only one person. I’m also a solo parent to a toddler. Balancing it all is my greatest challenge.
What’s the biggest misconception about your work?
That I troll nursing homes like Saul Goodman of Better Call Saul to drum up work—like a stereotypical ambulance chaser, but for seniors. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of the time, the families that retain me have been deeply involved in their loved ones’ care and are staunch advocates. They find me when those efforts still couldn’t protect their loved one.
Where do you see your practice area heading in the next five years?
Elder care law is constantly evolving. In addition to nursing home negligence, we’re seeing an increasing number of cases that involve other institutional settings, such as retirement homes, group homes and other congregate living environments. As Canada’s population ages, I also expect home-care negligence to become a much larger part of the practice.
More broadly, I think we’ll see more lawyers engaging in advocacy outside the courtroom, pushing for policy and legislative reforms to improve the quality of long-term care and home-care services.
How do you make sure you are being the best lawyer for your clients?
Communication. A common complaint that clients have of their lawyers is a lack of communication. We’re all guilty of it. We get busy. But clients just want to know that we’re working on their case and that things are moving forward. Clients will fill the communication void with anger, anxiety and frustration. I try to keep my clients updated, even on the little things.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m a big fan of electronic dance music. I also enjoy cooking and making sourdough bread. And, of course, I spend as much time as possible with my son.
Melissa Miller welcomes referrals and consultations from lawyers who need experienced and trusted representation in complex elder law.
Contact her today
Howie, Sacks & Henry
At Howie, Sacks & Henry we only practise personal injury law. And it shows. With more than 40 years experience, our dedication to handle serious personal injury cases with compassion, professionalism, and expertise has made us one of Canada’s top personal injury law firms, as ranked by our peers in Canadian Lawyer Magazine. We are one of the very few firms which has appeared on every list. Know the name you can trust: many of our clients come to us from other lawyers who trust our experience.