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More than a law firm – that’s the
Foglers Advantage.
Scotia Plaza
40 King Street West, Suite 2400
P.O. Box #215
Toronto, ON M5H 3Y2
2025 Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
Alex Kolandjian is a Partner in our Real Estate practice who volunteers his time behind the scenes at the Pomegranate Film Festival as part the organizing committee – a group of young Armenian professionals bound by a passion for film and culture. The Pomegranate Film Festival, established in 2006 stems from the Toronto Chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society. Now in its 15th year, the Pomegranate Film Festival is a unique community event celebrating Armenian inspired films.
Tell us how you got involved with The Pomegranate Film Festive?
I actually met one of the founders of the festival through the Armenian Bar Association (he’s also a lawyer). The festival focuses on Armenian-inspired film (be it the subject of a film, actors, directors, producers, etc.) so being of Armenian descent, it hits close to home. Pair it with my love of film and it was a natural fit.
In your volunteer role with the Festival, what are your activities and what do they involve?
I’m the head of sponsorship, so I deal directly with a lot of our business and individual sponsors, try and find new sponsors and co-ordinate other volunteers. I also love being hands-on with the festival with everything from screening films, event planning, selling tickets and welcoming patrons to the films. From time to time, I also introduce the films during the festival and run Q&A sessions with actors/actresses, directors and producers.
You’ve been with the Festival for eight years, what motivates you to stay involved?
It’s a way of giving back to my community and promoting the arts. Like I said, I really enjoy the films as well and meeting some of the actors, directors, producers. The other volunteers, sponsors and patrons are also fantastic people and many have become close friends and even clients over the years.
In your opinion, what is the most important work that the Pomegranate Film Festival does?
The goal of the Festival is to promote the arts, give a voice to the voiceless and draw attention to issues around the world through film. We’ve screened films from over 60 countries over the years with over 37,000 attendees. Through our POMgrant bursary program, the festival provides up-and-coming and aspiring film makers with funding towards their cinematic efforts.
What has been the most rewarding aspect about volunteering with this organization?
The festival has an on-going program with a local Armenian high school where the students have been creating their own short films. It’s amazing to see their work and be introduced to the next generation that will run the festival one day. I’m hoping that my daughter, Sophia, will take an interest when she is older. I’d love to think that the festival may inspire the next Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter, Ararat, Chloe, Remember) or Sev Ohanian (Searching, Run, Judas and the Black Messiah). Many of the films that we screen have serious subject matter, including genocide, human rights and war. It’s amazing that the festival draws attention to those issues.
While volunteering, you will meet people from all different walks of life. Have you had the experience where those paths cross with your law practice?
Absolutely. I’ve gained clients through my involvement in the festival, from individuals to businesses for corporate, real estate and litigation work.
Does this experience volunteering with the Pomegranate Film Festival give you a different perspective – that you bring to your law practice?
It really lets me see things from a different perspective and appreciate the trials and tribulations of artists and small business owners. As a part of a non-for-profit organization, the goal of the festival is not to make money, but rather to cover its expenses and contribute to the arts and the next generation of film makers. In terms of my practice, this helps me by putting myself in the shoes of business owners and understanding their varying goals.
What advice would you give to a new lawyer who is looking for an opportunity to give back to their community?
Find something you’re interested in (it doesn’t have to have anything to do with the law), figure out how you can get involved and give back. Find the time (having an incredibly patient wife helps) and try to balance work, family and volunteering.
To learn more about The Pomegranate Film Festival visit http://pomegranatefilmfestival.com/
Each year millions of refugees make the difficult decision to flee their homelands in search of a safe place to call home. For Adam Varro, an associate in our litigation practice, volunteering his time on the Board of Directors of Adam House to help refugees establish new lives in Toronto has been a rewarding experience. Adam House is more than just a shelter. The sense of community and friendship the envelops anyone who walks through their doors is shared by the staff, volunteers and residents – many of whom come back as volunteers themselves.
Tell us how you got involved with Adam House?
I was looking for a summer job in my first year of law school. My church’s young adult Facebook page posted an ad for a Volunteer Summer Teams Coordinator with Adam House through the Canada Summer Jobs program. It looked like a good opportunity to get involved with an organization doing good work for vulnerable populations. I applied and got the job. The following summer I worked for Adam House on a part-time basis, and then I was asked to join the Board of Directors in 2018, where I have served since along with eight other board members.
In your volunteer role on the board, what are your activities and what do they involve?
As a Board member, I attend quarterly board meetings to discuss all matters relating to the operation of our properties (we now have three). Projects that the Board has discussed this year include the acquisition of our latest property (Booth House) and planning out a renovation project on the main property. I also assist in between meetings on sub-committees to provide strategic advice. I also try to stay active with Adam House simply as a member of the community. I attend their events throughout the year, including World Refugee Day, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Run, and Friday night socials. I have gotten members of my church involved in these initiatives as well.
Given your busy schedule what motivates you to stay involved?
It’s the people that keep me motivated to stay involved. It can be difficult to set aside the time for my volunteer commitments, but I always feel fulfilled when I turn to my work with Adam House. Everyone on the Board is committed to helping Adam House thrive, and many board members have been serving for many years. Beyond the Board, I love seeing and interacting with the residents of the house, the staff, and the volunteers. There is a certain bond we all share in that we’re working toward the same goal of helping refugees and making the transition to Canada easier for them. I’ve gotten to know various refugee families and individuals, many of whom have transitioned into comfortable and successful lives in Toronto and the GTA. Knowing these people have endured such hardship in their country of origin and seeing them approach life here with such positivity helps me remember how important this work is.
In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does? Adam House gives refugee claimants more than a place to live, but a sense of community in an otherwise isolating and stressful time. Adam House supports refugee claimants financially, socially, and spiritually, addressing needs and meeting them. This requires time, patience, and creativity, and I am fortunate to be a small part of that good work.
What advice would you give to a new lawyer who is looking for an opportunity to give back to their own community?
Think about the causes you’re passionate about and how to leverage any community involvement or networks you already have. You may not realize your unique skills and knowledge could be very helpful to an organization. You sometimes just need to ask if they need help. My primary sources for volunteer work are my church and the connections I made through my law school extracurricular activities. Keeping an open mind and staying in touch with people you enjoyed working or volunteering with can sometimes lead to really interesting opportunities. That is how I remain connected to Adam House, the Fair Change Legal Clinic, and Pro Bono Ontario.
Does this experience with Adam House give you a different perspective, which you can bring to your law practice?
It helps me understand the specific needs of non-profit organizations from the perspective of a client. I see how important legal advice is to Adam House’s everyday operations, such as a compliant employee manual, and larger scale things like acquiring a new property and Building Code compliance. It helps me bring a greater sense of duty to my practice when I’m advising clients on the best way to move forward in their disputes. While many of Adam House’s matters can be dealt with by the organization’s staff and directors, many require legal assistance, and that can be invaluable in resolving issues in a timely manner. Most of the subject matter I deal with through Adam House does not relate to my litigation practice at all, but I have been able to assist fellow board members and staff on a preliminary basis with certain legal questions. I often realize that I am maybe the only lawyer that some people know.
To learn more about Adam House visit www.adamhouse.org
Last night the firm had the opportunity to give back to those in need. Our sponsorship of a dinner with Lawyers Feed the Hungry provided a meal to 310 individuals who gathered outdoors in the spring weather for al fresco dining.
Fogler, Rubinoff LLP partnered with Abuse Hurts and five other Bay Street law firms to hold a winter clothing drive to benefit Indigenous women who have been the victims of abuse.
The clothing drive collective 68 bags which were donated to a Toronto First Nations youth centre, and will be distributed from there to their network of shelters and agencies who help Indigenous women.
Abuse Hurts is a charitable organization that aims to raise awareness about the true cost of abuse and supports organizations that help individuals whose lives have been impacted by abuse.
To learn more about Abuse Hurts or to make a monetary donation, please visit their website.
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