Marcus M. Sixta is a family lawyer, mediator and former social worker. He is the founder of Crossroads Law, a family law firm operating in B.C. and Alberta. He is also the founder of Coach My Case, a groundbreaking legal services company that aims to improve access to justice by providing remote legal coaches and paralegal navigators to those who can’t afford traditional legal services and are forced to represent themselves in court.

Prior to the pandemic, Crossroads Law was featured in the Globe and Mail and Canadian Lawyer Magazine for innovative approaches to working that included open concept offices and staff having the flexibility to work from home. This approach, along with a commitment to being paperless, allowed Crossroads Law to not only survive but thrive during the pandemic.

Marcus launched Coach My Case in the spring of 2021 after years of witnessing the struggles of self-represented litigants in the justice system. According to a Department of Justice report, in some provinces up to 70% of all cases involve at least one person representing themselves. This can lead to poor outcomes for individuals and puts a tremendous strain on the justice system.

Marcus believes that access to justice can be improved through alternative, client-centered models for legal services.

Through Coach My Case, people who are self-represented can access legal assistance remotely, anywhere in B.C. or Alberta. They can choose between a paralegal or a lawyer, depending on their needs and budget, who provide assistance in the background so that they can represent themselves better in court. Services are on demand and can include document drafting, court and mediation preparation, and research. Additionally, Coach My Case never takes a retainer, keeping fees and bills low.

Marcus has also been a public voice for access to justice in Canada. He has written articles featured in numerous publications and has appeared in many news stories on access to justice issues including the CBC and Global News.  

Driving all of his work is Marcus’ passion for giving back to the community. He sits on the Canadian Bar Association B.C. committee for unbundled legal services and has presented legal coaching topics for the Canadian Bar Association. He is also a supervising lawyer for Pro Bono Students Canada, a contributor to the Law Society of Alberta’s Family Law Practice Manual and is a board member for A Better City Vancouver.