Gabriella Schneider Gabriella Schneider is a DSF lawyer with over two years of experience in areas such as secured and unsecured collection, enforcement, and civil litigation. With a results-oriented approach, she provides exceptional client services and delivers innovative solutions to complex legal problems. Gabriella possesses strong knowledge of legal office procedures, court processes, and legal drafting, making her well-equipped to handle litigation files from beginning to end. Gabriella’s exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, allow her to present complex legal issues to non-lawyers and deal effectively and pleasantly with colleagues, judges, clients, and third parties. She works well independently as well as in a team environment and has a fast-learning ability, is detail-oriented, and has superior organizational skills, making her capable of finding creative solutions to complex problems. Gabriella’s extensive experience includes working as an associate lawyer at a boutique law firm in Toronto where she helped the team win over 78 judgments in the Superior Court of Ontario. Gabriella also successfully aided in obtaining a default judgment in favor of a creditor for a loan worth over $55,000 and helped settled three complex general litigation cases.In her free time, Gabriella enjoys pilates, baking, and spin class. By Fauzan SiddiquiApril 25, 2023December 13, 2023
Hyland Muirhead Hyland Muirhead joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) as an associate lawyer in our commercial litigation, collections and mortgage recovery, as well as bankruptcy and insolvency departments. She graduated with an LLB from the University of Leicester and received her LLM from the University of Miami. She was called to the Bar in 2022. Prior to DSF, Hyland acquired a work placement for a boutique law firm in Toronto practicing in the areas of commercial and civil litigation. She also gained international experience interning in law firms in the USA and Uk conducting legal research and proceedings for all areas of litigation. Outside the courtroom, Hyland is a pianist and a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music finishing second at the Grand Prize Virtuoso, Salzburg, Austria as well as the Golden Classical Music Competition, New York. She is a member of the Advocates’ Society, the Law Society of Ontario and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. By Fauzan SiddiquiJune 14, 2022September 21, 2023
James M. Satin James is the co-managing partner of the firm and also heads our creditors rights group which includes debt recovery and bankruptcy and insolvency. Effective, efficient, results-oriented, cost-conscious and professional are adjectives used by James’ clients to describe him. Among his clients, James acts as counsel for Canadian chartered banks and other financial institutions on hundreds of recovery matters. James has expertise in the most effective, and cost-efficient methods for recovering debts, both prior to and following judgment. James works with trustees, receivers, property managers and other professionals to secure the timely realization of secured assets, and to maximize recovery on collection matters. James has had considerable success in resolving collection proceedings on an expedited basis, thereby reducing the expense to his clients and speeding up the recovery process. James also has expertise in commercial litigation. He has acted for clients in matters including contract disputes, real estate litigation, product liability, employment litigation and wrongful dismissal, estate litigation, defamation and fraud actions. He has acted for clients ranging from multinational corporations and global professional services organizations to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as for individuals. He has experience with all facets of the litigation process, including interim and permanent injunctions including Mareva injunctions and other motions for the preservation of property, interlocutory motions, Court ordered and private receiverships, motions for summary judgment, examinations in aid of execution, seizure and sale of assets, Sheriff’s sales of both real and personal property, contempt proceedings and mandatory and private mediations. James’ practical, no-nonsense approach to litigation has resulted in excellent results at trial and on appeal. He frequently appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and has appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Ontario Divisional Court. James has spoken at numerous seminars on topics relating to debt collection. James is a graduate of McGill University (B.A. in Psychology, 1996) and the University of Western Ontario (LL.B, 1999). He holds a Certificate in Mediation from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre at the University of Western Ontario. James was called to the Bar in 2001. For further information or assistance with debt recovery and bankruptcy, insolvency or commercial litigation please contact James M. Satin. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
Carrie Kennedy Carrie is a graduate of Simon Fraser University (B.A. in Criminology) and Queen’s University (LL.B.). She was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2003 and in Ontario in 2004. Since then, she has gained broad experience in litigation, primarily in the areas of commercial collections and mortgage recovery. In recovery, collections, and mortgage enforcement, Carrie represents major financial institutions, private lenders, businesses, and a securities commissions. She obtains and enforces judgments for breaches of loan agreements, security agreements, and mortgages. In bankruptcy and insolvency, Carrie appears in court for her commercial clients on various motions and hearings including lifting stays of proceedings, opposing discharge hearings, and appointing receivers. Carrie also has experience in many areas of general litigation including improvident sale actions, fraudulent conveyances actions, cheques kiting schemes, wrongful dismissals, general contract disputes, commercial leasing and tenancy issues, condominium issues, correcting land title errors, franchise disputes, injunctions, and estate disputes on behalf of lenders, mortgage insurance companies, title insurance companies, commercial landlords, commercial tenants, property managers, employers, employees, businesses, and individuals. Carrie has appeared in various courts and tribunals including the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Divisional Court, the Superior Court of Justice, Commercial Court, Bankruptcy Court, the Human Rights Tribunal, Committee of Adjustment, Landlord and Tenant Board, and Small Claims Court. Carrie’s diverse practice has allowed her to develop an effective, efficient, and results-based approach to resolving legal issues. She strives to efficiently maximize the benefit to her clients while maintaining their good reputation. When Carrie is not in the office, she enjoys photography, baking, running, playing competitive sports, skiing, and learning karate. She has aspirations of earning her black belt in karate by 2022! By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
Shawna M. Sosnovich Shawna M. Sosnovich joined Devry Smith Frank LLP in 2007 and is a partner of the firm. Shawna currently practices in the areas of commercial litigation, bankruptcy and insolvency, debt recovery, and employment law for a variety of small and medium-sized businesses, institutional clients including banks, title insurers, commercial landlords and trustees in bankruptcy, as well as individuals, employers, employees and professional advisors. Shawna was called to the Bar in 1999 after completing her Bachelor of Laws degree at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1997. Prior to joining Devry Smith Frank LLP, Shawna practiced in the areas of civil and commercial litigation with a well-respected GTA law firm, where she gained valuable experience in contractual disputes, debt collection, civil fraud, employment, and bankruptcy and insolvency matters. Shawna has extensive courtroom experience and has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Divisional Court in Ontario, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. In addition, Shawna has been counsel at private mediations and prides herself on negotiating practical alternatives to resolve disputes. Cases in which Shawna has appeared as counsel have been reported in the Ontario Reports and other industry reporting services. Shawna Sosnovich is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. TESTIMONIALS “Thank you Shawna for your expertise and advice with my employment matter. You improved my settlement and acted with professional skill and determination. It was a pleasure dealing with you and your on-the-ball assistant, Carmen. – L.P.” “My experience working with Shawna at DSF was unimaginably wonderful. Before retaining Shawna, I met with few lawyers to help me with what I knew is going to be a challenging and an extremely emotional ride. When I met with Shawna though, there was an instant trust that with no hesitation I knew at our first meeting I want to work with her and here we go, 4 years later, we got our successful outcome.During the four years of working with Shawna on a hotly contested litigation matter, Shawna was able to keep track of so many moving parts, so many developments and twist and turns. Throughout the process, her exceptional attention to detail, her professionalism, her expertise and her thorough research provided us with a positive outcome.Her calm yet firm style were truly amazing. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her guidance throughout. She was reassuring in the face of set backs and challenges, yet always offered realistic advice and kept my case moving forward. Going to court is never a pleasant experience, but Shawna was there with me at every step – As much as she was my lawyer, she was my sounding board. Shawna is one of a kind. Thank you so much Shawna! – Maryam Mostaedi.” I wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you. We received our funds today. I cannot express how great full we are for the funds and to put this in the past. Thank you so much for representing us, believing in our case and staying the course. We appreciate the both of you!-Thank you again.-Dave By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
Oren Chaimovitch Toronto lawyer Oren Chaimovitch received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto, graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, and was called to the bar in 1994. Before joining Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF), he spent two years practising law as a sole practitioner and eighteen years with a boutique Toronto firm. His experience spans the areas of debt recovery, secured lending including commercial mortgage lending, bankruptcy and insolvency, commercial litigation, business law, commercial and residential real estate, wills, estate planning and estate administration. Oren’s clients include individuals, entrepreneurs, small- and medium-sized businesses, and major Canadian banks. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Divisional Court, and various administrative tribunals. Oren prides himself on his practical, common sense approach, dealing with matters and resolving disputes in the most efficient, economical way possible. Oren recognizes that his clients want timely responses to their questions, regular updates, and practical, clear advice. He values the personal relationships he has with his clients, whether they are individuals or large institutions. When Oren is not practising law, he spends time with his family, travels, and fishes. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 19, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
