Pre-Paid Legal Services Celebrates 10 Years in Canada
ADA, Okla., June 12 / On Saturday, June 20, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (NYSE: PPD) will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the company's launch in the Canadian market in Ontario and the subsequent growth and expansion into three additional Provinces of British Columbia (1999), Alberta and Manitoba (2001).
CEO, Founder & Chairman Harland Stonecipher will attend the day long celebration, which will include a Super Regional meeting of the company's Canadian independent sales associates, a panel program featuring the company's "Canadian Legends" and a gala banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3201 Highway 7, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 5Z7.
Over the past 10 years, PPL Legal Care of Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pre-Paid Legal Services (PPL), has expanded into four Provinces, creating a strong platform for future growth in the Canadian market. PPL Legal Care of Canada currently provides coverage for approximately 25,000 families (customers). In addition, PPL's Independent Sales Associates now number approximately 11,700 in Canada. For the year 2008, PPL collected approximately $8.2 million (including foreign currency adjustments) in membership fees from the four provinces.
"This anniversary celebration recognizes a decade of achievement by leaders in the Canadian market, who through their inspiration, dedication and hard work have carried our corporate goal of 'equal justice for all' to our neighbors in Canada," Stonecipher said. "This event also represents a call to action to those Canadians who are struggling as a result of the economic recession that affects all of North America," he said. "At PPL, we are not offering a 'bail-out,' but we are providing a business opportunity for those who want to make the most of it."
Among the leaders responsible for PPL's growth in Canada are Regional Vice Presidents Rob and Charlene MacKenzie of Ontario and Ken Smith and Patti Ross of British Columbia. The Mackenzie's' have been associated with PPL since 1998 and were appointed the company's first international regional vice presidents. They helped organize the June 20, 1999 kickoff event.
Recalling the first event, Rob MacKenzie said, "More than 800 people attended our opening night function, so we knew there was great interest in PPL's service offerings and corporate business opportunity." According to MacKenzie, Ontario set a high bar for achievement during the first six months of operation. Afterwards, the geographic expansion into British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba helped increase the company's footprint in Canada and PPL anticipates additional expansion in Canadian markets in the future.
The Pre-Paid Legal Services plans offered in Canada include: lawyer consultation on an unlimited number of topics, 24/7 emergency service, letters and phone calls made by the provider attorney on the client's behalf, document/contract review and will preparation. In addition, the Canadian plans include expanded preventive benefits, such as assistance with Canadian government agencies, warranty assistance and small claims court assistance and a preferred member discount on attorney fees not included in the plan. Mills & Mills, LLP of Toronto is the PPL provider law firm in the Province of Ontario, serving both individual and group members. Celebrating its 125th year anniversary, Mills & Mills is one of the oldest law firms in Canada.
About PPL
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. was one of the first companies in the United States organized solely to design, underwrite and market legal expense plans. We provide legal services to more than 1.5 million families across the U.S. and Canada. Plan benefits are delivered through a network of independent provider law firms. Members have direct, toll-free access to their provider. Provider firms are carefully selected and the quality of service is closely monitored to maintain the high standards of Pre-Paid Legal.
<