At the intersection of tax, estate planning, and business law, Amanda Doucette stands out not only for her deep technical expertise but also for her ability to connect with clients on a profoundly human level. A partner at Stevenson Hood Thornton Beaubier LLP, Amanda brings a refreshingly empathetic and practical approach to advising high-net-worth individuals and owner-managed businesses—breaking down complex financial structures, facilitating tough conversations, and helping families plan for the future with clarity and confidence. In this Women in Law feature, Amanda shares the lessons she's learned from a career built in a traditionally male-dominated field, how her personal experiences shape her client relationships, and why mentorship and authenticity are key to building a legal practice that truly makes a difference.
You work at the intersection of tax, estate planning, and business law—what do you enjoy most about helping clients navigate these often-overlapping areas?
Tax is everywhere. That being said, it is often an area that clients do not feel confident or comfortable asking questions about, or interacting with on a regular basis. I strongly believe that business owners deserve to be in control of decision-making regarding their finances. In order to do so, they need to be empowered to engage with the various provincial and federal laws that impact their decisions. It is such a joy to spend time with a client explaining the foundations of the Canadian tax system, and then watching how they start to gain confidence in asking questions, and truly starting to engage with their advisory team. I see myself as a guide and a teacher – not a decision-maker for my clients.
You specialize in advising high-net-worth individuals and owner-managed businesses. What are some of the key considerations that make this work both rewarding and challenging?
A majority of my client base consists of owner-managed businesses. These businesses tend to fall into two categories: (1) businesses that were founded/started by the particular client; or (2) businesses that have been inherited/generational businesses. In both categories, there are some unique considerations to keep in mind as an advisor including:
- The impact of "soft" issues on decision making. In multi-generational businesses, there are often issues lurking behind the scenes that advisors need to "sniff" out to provide the best solutions for the client. Examples include hostility amongst siblings (i.e., who is the "favorite" child) and balancing the "fair versus equal" debate when determining how to gift assets on death.
- The personal element to business – founders feel a personal connection to the business they have built from the ground up. This impacts how/when they choose to sell the business, how comfortable they are on taking on additional debt, and what they see as the true "value" of business
- Money does not always equal less problems – instead, it usually brings different problems, and a level of complexity that is not always desired by the clients. I have been referred to as the "interpreter" for my clients – I take the complex information that they are being provided by their financial advisors and accountants, and break it down into easily digestible pieces. I also tailor the information delivery to include "why" the information matters to their business.
As a partner at SHTB, how do you approach building lasting relationships with clients, particularly in areas as personal and sensitive as estate and succession planning?
I went to law school because I wanted to help people, and I wanted the opportunity to be able to advocate for others. Clients are people – not just the opportunity to make money. I have always approached my career with a client-first philosophy. Practically speaking, that means:
- I pick up the phone when you call. I do not use my assistant or a junior lawyer as a buffer
- Not every call needs to be billed. Over the years, I have acted as a sounding board for clients on many issues, and to provide a sympathetic ear on difficult days. Each time you have a conversation with a client, you have a decision to make – do you bill it or not?
- Being honest – if you are looking for a lawyer that tells you what you want to hear, then I am not the right fit for you. I believe in being honest with my clients – honest about potential pitfalls, and honest about chances of success.
- I also take an interest in my clients – I love meeting new people and hearing their stories – whether you are coming to me for an estate planning engagement, or for business advice, I will take the time to learn about you as a person. Everyone is driven/motivated by certain things, and we all just want to be heard. I think it is important as a lawyer to listen more, and speak less.
You've earned both an LL.M. in Tax Law and the TEP / STEP designation. How have these advanced qualifications shaped your approach to legal problem-solving and client strategy?
The legal landscape in Canada has changed dramatically in the last decade. The Canadian Government has introduced a plethora of new tax policy which has been an incredible challenge for advisors and their clients. In addition, our client needs are becoming more complicated each year. It is rare to now have a client who was born in Saskatchewan, dies in Saskatchewan, has all their assets in Saskatchewan, all their children live in Saskatchewan, and is in their first marriage. Instead, we are increasingly faced with globalization and it is critical to understand the interactions of the laws from different jurisdictions in order properly serve the client.
As a result, education (and in particular, continued education) is critical. In order to do my job properly, I keep on top of the new developments in tax, trusts, and estate planning law. I also need to be a part of a larger global network so that I have connections around the world to help support my client needs. Lastly, organizations like STEP provide an opportunity for advocacy on a larger scale.
Estate planning can involve complex family dynamics, long-term financial planning, and intricate tax considerations. How do you bring clarity and calm to the process for your clients?
The longer I have practiced, the more comfortable I have gotten with being authentically, "myself". I have been through difficult times in my own life, including a divorce, illness and the loss of my father and grandparents within a short period of time. These personal experiences have shaped the way I enter conversations, and also given me perspective on what is truly important in life.
I often joke that I use my psychology degree more than my law degree – many times, I am hired simply to provide a space of calm and to facilitate difficult conversations. I am a direct person, and I have always been comfortable asking questions and addressing the elephant in the room. I thrive off of helping people see their value within a situation, and also finding common ground.
As a woman who has built a successful career in a traditionally male-dominated area of law, what have been some of the key lessons or experiences that shaped your journey?
For many years in the early stages of my career, I was often the only woman in the room. I had clients refuse to work with me because of my gender. When I first became partner, I was the only woman on the partnership at my firm.
I am really proud to be a woman in tax. I approach things differently, and my personality is the key to my success. Instead of focusing on my gender, now I focus on my personality and my strengths – as those are the things which make me successful in my practice and in business. I used to try to be like everyone else, and now I just focus on being myself. I also have no problem addressing discrimination or inappropriate behaviour head on.
Mentorship is especially important for supporting women in law. Have you been involved in mentoring other women in the profession, and what advice do you find yourself sharing most often?
I feel that professionals tend to look at mentorship so formally – that you have to be a part of a formal "mentorship program". Mentorship opportunities exist all around you – it can be as simple as sitting down next to someone you do not know at an event and introducing yourself, or making sure that a new member of a committee feels heard. I love meeting new people, and in addition to informal mentorship of other women in the profession, I also love creating opportunities to connect people.
Looking ahead, what emerging trends or challenges do you see shaping the future of tax and estate law in Canada?
Lawyers are concerned about the advent of AI – I agree that it will have an impact on the way we practice law. However, I also believe there will be an increased need for bespoke/customized service. Lawyers (particularly in tax and estate law) will be utilized less for transactional work, and more as trusted advisors, helping business owners navigate through complex rules, and plan for the future.
