Gary Mazin is the owner of Mazin & Associates, PC, a personal injury law firm in Canada. His story begins far from the courtroom. Born in the Soviet Union, he left with his family at just four years old and arrived in Canada with very little. Like many immigrant families, they focused on building a stable future step by step.
Growing up, Mazin learned the value of hard work early. Education became his path forward. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, followed by a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Wanting a deeper understanding of leadership and operations, he later completed an MBA at the Schulich School of Business at York University.
After entering the legal profession, Mazin chose to focus on personal injury law. The work placed him directly in court, advocating for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Over time, this courtroom experience shaped his calm, prepared approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
As his career progressed, Mazin built Mazin & Associates, PC with a focus on structure, clarity, and accountability. He approaches his firm as both a legal practice and a responsibility to clients who need steady guidance.
Outside of work, Mazin enjoys chess, swimming, traveling, and spending time with his family. He also believes strongly in giving back and has supported healthcare initiatives, including sponsoring a room at a United Health Network hospital.
Gary Mazin’s journey reflects consistency, preparation, and perspective—qualities shaped over time and carried into every part of his life and work.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early, before the phones begin ringing. I review court deadlines, client matters, and anything time-sensitive. Court experience teaches you that missing details have consequences, so I like to start with clarity. I plan my day in blocks. Court work and preparation come first, followed by client meetings and firm operations. Productivity comes from knowing what cannot be postponed and handling that first.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I approach ideas the same way I approach legal strategy. I test them. If I have an idea to improve how the firm operates or communicates, I try it on a small scale. For example, when we adjusted how we explained case timelines to clients, we tested it with a few matters before rolling it out firm-wide. Ideas become real when they reduce confusion or improve outcomes.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m encouraged by the growing demand for transparency in professional services. Clients want to understand the process, not just the outcome. This aligns with how I’ve always practiced. Clear communication builds trust and prevents unnecessary stress.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Prepare the night before. I review what needs to be done and mentally walk through the next day. The court doesn’t allow improvisation. Preparation removes friction.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself to be patient and not confuse urgency with importance. Early in my career, I felt pressure to move fast. Over time, I learned that steady progress, done correctly, creates better long-term results.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe slower growth is often better than rapid expansion. In law, growth without structure can harm clients and teams. Stability matters more than size.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Prepare thoroughly and document everything. Whether it’s a court appearance or a business decision, documentation protects you and improves decision-making.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away briefly. Swimming helps reset my thinking. Chess also helps because it forces you to slow down and consider consequences several moves ahead.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Pursuing an MBA alongside my legal career helped me think differently about operations and leadership. It allowed me to build Mazin & Associates, PC as a sustainable organization with systems, not just a collection of cases.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I tried to handle too much on my own. I didn’t delegate effectively. It created bottlenecks. I learned that building systems and trusting capable people improve outcomes for everyone involved.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Any service business should create a simple written roadmap for clients explaining each stage of the process. It saves time and builds confidence.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
A structured calendar system. I treat court deadlines as immovable anchors. Everything else works around them.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I often return to books on strategy and decision-making. Chess literature mirrors legal reasoning more than people realize.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoy documentaries about people overcoming adversity. They’re grounding and remind me that perspective matters.
Key learnings
- Preparation and structure consistently lead to better outcomes than speed alone.
- Education across disciplines strengthens leadership and long-term decision-making.
- Clear communication reduces stress and builds trust in high-stakes environments.
- Sustainable growth requires patience, delegation, and systems.
- Stepping away strategically can restore focus more effectively than pushing harder.