I posted this back in May in another thread discussing whether or not to hire a representative and bad experiences some people had with their lawyer/consultant. Hopefully you can find something in here that will provide guidance if you are considering hiring a representative.
I'm always sad to see comments like this, mostly because some real rats have poisoned the industry and have taken what for many, IS an honourable profession requiring education, ethics, hard work, integrity, knowledge and caring about the best interests of the clients. I hate it SO MUCH that this belief among consumers about immigration lawyers and consultants is real and so many have had such bad experiences!
As you may have guessed, I am a practitioner, licensed, certified, educated, insured and whatever else I need to be to legally and ethically practice this area of law. I specialize in a couple of areas of this broad spectrum as I believe, to do something well, you must specialize. Like going to a medical specialist. You wouldn't go to the eye doctor for a problem with your feet. So, for example, I don't do Investor applications. These are probably the most lucrative for any practitioner but I don't do them. While I may have the qualifications, I don't have the passion for them or the experience. So I say NO and refer them to colleagues who specialize in them and have a great reputation. I would rather they get great service and expertise than see my bank account grow as a stumble through trying to put together a strong application, possibly making mistakes and costing the client time and money and, ugh, even a refusal! No, I do not want that on my conscience.
Here is some advice for those who do want to hire someone to help you. First and foremost, make sure that they are licensed/certified. It's easy to do. If they are a consultant, check them out on CSIC's website to see if they are listed. If they are a lawyer, make sure that they are members of their provincial bar association and the CBA. Where do you find this information? Google is a good start. It's so easy to check. Second, check out the disciplinary sections of these sites to see if your consultant has had any complaints against them. Or again, google their name. Loads of information is at your fingertips with just a couple of keystrokes.
Third, ask if they will give you free evaluation/consultation. Not everyone does this and there are valid reasons why they don't. I've done loads of research and work for "potential" clients only to have them take my advice and work and move on to do it themselves. That's ok. I'm glad I could help BUT I also work hard for my clients and need to feed my family so I do limit the amount of time I spend giving free advice. But I still do it.
Fourth, be HONEST with your lawyer or consultant. I can't count the number of times I've been lied to or a client "forgot to mention" or "didn't think it was important" when asked about issues that could impact their ability to immigrate to Canada. Rule of thumb is that if I ask about it, there is a reason for my question! Does that mean that I can't help you if there are "issues"? NO, not all the time! Sometimes, it can be a flat NO, I can't help but more often, it means that there are extra steps that must be taken to overcome these "issues". Extra steps mean more expertise and more work. BUT if your representative knows about them from the beginning, it is SO MUCH easier to get through the process than trying to back track later on. Do you think CIC cares that "you didn't think it was important"? Uh, NO. Nor should they. They expect honesty from the start.
Fifth, DO NOT retain anyone who counsels you to lie. This includes making up stories, fabricating documents, etc. Bottom line. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. In fact, complain about these people to their respective Society's and to the Canadian government. Help the honest consultant/lawyers clean out the crap from our profession!
Sixth, a good lawyer and/or consultant will treat you as an individual, looking at your circumstances "specifically" not generally. CIC treats every application on its own merits. There is no cookie cutter in immigration! All representatives should do the same, asking you probing questions about YOUR situation. Of course there are "general" things that apply to all of us BUT good representatives dig deeper. The goal is to know everything up front so that there are no surprises. Surprises cost time, money and often lead to refusals in immigration.
Finally, NEVER BELIEVE ANYONE WHO GIVES YOU A GUARANTEE IN IMMIGRATION TO CANADA. I can't emphasize this enough!!! There are NO guarantees!!! I NEVER give any of my clients a guarantee. The best I can ever offer is a "strong likelihood of success". That's it. If a client has "issues", I identify these issues and tell them that it could lead to a negative result and why. I also tell them what I'm going to do to "try" to overcome the issues BUT it reduces their likelihood of success. Honest practitioners BELIEVE in being upfront with clients at the very beginning of their file, giving the client the choice to continue or not. So if you go in search of a consultant or lawyer who give "guarantees" you are fool and have been warned. There are none and that is the truth, like it or not.
About fees, all I can say is to shop around keeping all of the above in mind. If you want to hire someone to represent you, you will have to pay them for their work and expertise. Many base their fees on their years of experience and areas of specialization. That's normal. YOU make the choice about what is important to YOU and if you feel more comfortable having someone you have VERIFIED can do this work for you, then no one should criticize your choice. I prefer to use an accountant that has a CA designation than a bookkeeper. I pay more for it but it's my comfort level and choice.
I have a personal connection to immigration as I sponsored my own husband BEFORE I became a consultant. It was a long and drawn out process that was one of the most difficult times in my life. I know how this stuff FEELS. I haunted these forums and learned so much. I'm still grateful to PMM whom I think knows more about Canadian Immigration than ANYONE, especially the practical aspects. And there are other seniors who have gained fabulous knowledge because of the hundreds of hours they have spent researching and asking questions. Literally HUNDREDS of hours. It was mind numbing and all consuming when I was going through it. I could barely concentrate on anything else! Luckily, after a year, my husband and I were successful. But during the process, I made up my mind that I did NOT want others to have to feel the way I did and that I was going to help them go through the process as a professional who had learned from my own experience. I spent thousands of dollars on an education (and still do because Professional Development Courses are a requirement to continue to practice), membership fees to my Society, practice insurance, and have written and passed too many exams (or that's what it felt like). Does that mean that EVERYONE should hire a representative??? NO, certainly NOT! If you have the time, knowledge, willingness to learn and confidence in your abilities, then DO NOT hire someone as you will probably be very successful on your own! But if you lack any of these, then you might want to consider it. Remember, everyone is an individual and making judgements on an internet forum where people will NOT divulge all of their personal details (nor should they) about whether they should hire someone or not might not serve them well.
I've been lucky enough to meet and now have become colleagues with other true professionals who share my passion for quality representation for ALL people who wish is make Canada their home or to study here or to be reunited with family members. But I've also come across the scum of the earth who have screwed up applications so badly that some situations are now hopeless. OR they have done NOTHING but take the money and run! I know it's out there! And I hate it just as much as all of you. Probably more because I work hard and am proud of what I do. These bottom feeders make ME look bad and undermine the quality work done by so many.
Ok, off of my soap box now. I'm not here to advertise and NEVER have advertised on this site or any other I participate on. My purpose on this forum and others is to give advice based on my knowledge and expertise and experience. I still ask questions as no one person knows everything. I look at these forums as for people who have already chosen to go it alone and are looking for support and answers to questions along the way. I fully support that and will continue to help.
I just want you all to know that we are not all bad out there in the lawyer/consultant world. And the Canadian Government, specifically Minister Kenny has announced legislative changes that will crack down on unethical practitioners and those who are not licensed to practice. Final reading in the senate should occur in January, 2011. Hopefully that will help in getting rid of the bottom feeders who take advantage of those who dream about coming to Canada.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2010/2010-12-07.asp
I send him three emails a week ago, he never replies any to it, not only that, when my bf called him up to ask him about it the lawyer *censored word* him off yelling that he had alot of files and cases that he have to handle! So what now.. our case is nothing? 
