“As lawyers, we’re constantly sculpting our practice to meet the needs of our clients and adapt to changes in the law. The art of law is found in the process of refinement.” - Trent Howard

Trent Howard Associate

No two days are alike on the Thompson, Moloci and Stanton team at Scarfone Hawkins, and that’s just the way Trent Howard likes it. One minute you’ll find him working on a class action lawsuit and the next an employment matter, always with his trademark humility and sense of humour. “I’m on a team of really bright people working incredibly hard to get the best results for clients.”

A born storyteller

To Trent Howard, finding the right words is everything.

“Litigation is taking complex facts and recounting them in a compelling way,” he says. “As advocates, we’re telling a story, with a beginning, middle and end. A litigator is like a funnel, taking in a huge amount of information and distilling it down to the salient facts and aligning them with the law.”

Trent’s path to becoming a lawyer wasn’t a straight one. His unfulfilled childhood dream to play in the NHL taught him the value of self-discipline and accountability. Later, when his trades apprenticeship fell through, he took the time to re-evaluate his life and decided to pursue a career in law. “I bet you haven’t heard many lawyers say, ‘I wanted to be a plumber’,” he jokes. “Because of my experiences, I understand we all come from different backgrounds and that there are many ways to achieve a goal.”

Hard work comes easily to Trent. He also believes in the value of open and frank conversation. “We need to let clients know the risks and rewards involved in their case and help them set realistic goals,” he says. “The protracted nature of litigation is hard for a lot of people. A speedy resolution is often the best one.”

"Q: Lessons learned from golf."

− A: “Golf has taught me the value of composure. You can take as many practice swings as you want and something can still go wrong with the execution of the shot. Then it’s all about how you recover. It’s the same with law.”

"Q: Words to live by."

− A: “Never shy away from a challenge. As lawyers we are often faced with challenging situations that require creative solutions. It’s my job to be prepared, not comfortable. When we leave our comfort zones, we usually surprise ourselves.”

"Q: Greatest role models."

− A: “My parents, who taught me to work hard and be humble. They made sure I had everything they didn’t, so I would have the best opportunity to achieve whatever goals I set.”

"Q: Personal quality that’s served you well."

− A: “Consistency. I like to be calm and composed, no matter the situation or the stakes. It’s reassuring for clients to know that whatever happens, they can depend on me to be prepared and level-headed.