Alida A. Brydon Alida Brydon joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2021 as an associate lawyer in the commercial and estate litigation groups in Whitby. Alida graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with Distinction from the University of Toronto in 2002, where her studies focused on history and political science. She earned her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario in 2006, after which she was called to the bar in 2007. Alida gained years of experience in civil litigation at a reputable boutique law firm in Toronto. Her practice areas included commercial general liability, property damage, product liability, motor vehicle accident, occupiers’ liability and personal injury claims, coverage issues and subrogation. Alida is a dedicated member of the Durham community. She is an instructor for the School of Justice and Emergency Services at Durham College. Alida also sits on the Board of Directors for Catholic Family Services of Durham, a non-profit agency that provides accredited counselling services to individuals, couples and families in the Durham Region. She lives in Whitby with her husband and three children. Alida served on the Insurance Law Section Executive for the Ontario Bar Association from 2009 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2021. She is also a Past President of the Board of Directors for Mary Centre, a non-profit organization that assists adults and seniors with developmental challenges. In her spare time, Alida is an avid reader, an amateur painter and an adventurous home cook. By Justin DominicApril 21, 2021April 21, 2021
Kathrin Gardhouse Kathrin Gardhouse joined Devry Smith Frank LLP as an articling student in August 2020. Kathrin completed the Global Profession Master of Laws (GPLLM) at the University of Toronto in 2020. She has previously been trained in German civil law at the Westphalian Wilhelms University in Münster, where she graduated among the top two percentile nationwide in 2016. Upon emigrating to Canada in 2016, Kathrin expanded her education by conducting two years of graduate studies in philosophy at McMaster University in Hamilton with special emphasis on philosophy of law. For her major research project “Comparative constitutional law – binding and persuasive precedent”, Kathrin was awarded a SSHRC scholarship. She withdrew from the PhD program in good standing in order to become licensed in law in Ontario and commenced her accreditation process in 2019. Other than in Germany and Canada, Kathrin also studied law in Luxembourg for one year and completed two internships in the United States, with the Beaver County District Attorneys and a sole family and estates law practitioner in Pittsburgh respectively. Kathrin worked part-time as a legal assistant for a family and fertility lawyer in Toronto while completing the GPLLM. There she gained valuable experience in contract drafting and financial disclosure proceedings. In her free time, Kathrin is a passionate Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba dancer. She plays beach volleyball and enjoys woodwork and sewing. By Fauzan SiddiquiSeptember 17, 2020May 5, 2021
Marty Rabinovitch Français Marty is a graduate of Queen’s University (B.A.H. in Political Studies) and the University of Windsor (LL.B.). He received multiple academic awards from Queen’s University and Upper Canada College. He was the recipient of the 2008 Gavel Award from the University of Windsor for the best-written judgment of a student judge presiding over the Law 1 moots. He also participated in the Laskin Moot competition, where he presented his arguments in French. Marty spent several summers working at Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) and articled with the firm from 2009-2010. As an articling student, Marty was involved with many Small Claims and Superior Court matters. He has attended at examinations for discovery, settlement conferences and trials. Marty has also appeared before masters and Superior Court judges on various motions and other matters and has also attended at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Marty was called to the bar in 2010 and currently practises in the areas of commercial litigation, employment law and human rights law. While attending law school, Marty volunteered at Community Legal Aid at the University of Windsor and Pro Bono Students Canada. He is an avid tennis player, enjoys watching and umpiring baseball, and has travelled extensively in Europe. TESTIMONIALS “Marty R and Stuart C. were able to help us with a challenging personal and business crisis. We are grateful for their professionalism and kindness (and that of their support staff). I would recommend their services to anyone facing an analogous situation. Thank you, gentlemen”.— Jonathan S. “We have worked with Marty R. regarding several different employment matters over the years. His work is thorough and he has guided us through difficult business decisions. We have also worked with Justin W. and Florendo L. and are pleased with the service they provide us. Highly recommended!”. — Raj Suppiah. “I work with Marty often and he is always very quick to get back to me and is excellent at taking the time to fully detail all scenarios and suggestions. The level of professionalism is exceptional and if Marty is unavailable, there is always another team member willing to assist.” — Brandilee Maxwell REPORTED DECISIONS: Appellant v. TDSB Chatoor v. Xerox Global Services, 2011 HRTO 2232 (CanLII), which addressed an employer’s objection to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s jurisdiction to adjudicate a complaint; Ruremesha v. Travelers Guarantee Company of Canada et al, 2012 HRTO 1044 (CanLii) in which the Tribunal decided that a full hearing would be required to address all issues raised in the Application, and Koenig v. University of Toronto, 2012 HRTO 1098 (CanLII), which was a reconsideration decision of the Tribunal with respect to allegations of discrimination based on citizenship. By Justin DominicMay 28, 2020January 8, 2021 No comments yet
Nicholas Reinkeluers Commercial litigation lawyer Nicholas Reinkeluers is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (B.A. and J.D.). Nicholas was called to the bar in 2013. Prior to joining Devry Smith Frank LLP in 2019, Nicholas practiced at a leading litigation firm in downtown Toronto. Nicholas has been involved in a broad range of commercial litigation matters, including contract disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, professional negligence claims and disciplinary proceedings, mortgage enforcement litigation, employment disputes, injunctions, claims against directors and officers, appeals, construction litigation, and commercial arbitrations. He also has experience representing employers and employees in a wide variety of employment law matters, including reviewing and negotiating employment contracts and termination packages, wrongful dismissal actions, workplace bullying and harassment, and human rights disputes. Nicholas has represented clients in proceedings before the Ontario Small Claims Court, Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, Court of Appeal, and various administrative tribunals. Nicholas takes a pragmatic approach to litigation. He believes in resolving disputes in the most efficient, timely, and cost-effective manner possible. Outside the office, Nicholas enjoys cycling, snowboarding, travelling, and playing the piano. By Justin DominicMay 28, 2020January 4, 2021 No comments yet
J. Matthew Sack Matthew is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he obtained his Honours B.A. in Political Science and English Literature. While at the University of Toronto, he was a Dean’s List scholar and graduated with Distinction. Matthew received his LL.B from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, and was the recipient of the Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Millenium Scholarship in Constitutional Law. While at the University of Windsor he worked at the university’s Community Legal Aid program for three years and participated in the Zuber Moot competition. Matthew articled with Devry Smith Frank LLP where he received a broad exposure to a variety of areas of litigation with an emphasis on mortgage enforcement and insurance defence. He was called to the Bar in 2003 following the successful completion of the Bar Admission Course in Toronto. Matthew’s practice focuses primarily in the areas of secured and unsecured debt recovery, with an emphasis on mortgage remedies, as well as bankruptcy and insolvency. He has acted as counsel for many Canadian chartered banks and other financial institutions on hundreds of recovery matters. Matthew is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Ontario Bar Association. He is also a Notary Public. By Justin DominicMay 27, 2020November 5, 2020 No comments yet
James M. Satin James Satin is a commercial litigator. Effective, efficient, results-oriented, cost-conscious and professional are adjectives used by James’ clients to describe him. James practices with and helps manage our litigation group in the areas of debt recovery and bankruptcy and insolvency. He is a partner of the firm. James acts primarily 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 Toronto Lawyer James M. Satin. By Justin DominicMay 27, 2020December 16, 2020 No comments yet
Kelli Preston Kelli graduated from Osgoode Hall with an L.L.B. in 2002. Kelli was called to the bar in 2003 and became a partner of a litigation boutique firm in 2004 which provided her with a large breath of knowledge in a number of areas of law. She joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2013. Kelli manages the Whitby, Bowmanville and Haliburton offices for DSF. Kelli’s litigation practice areas encompass, real estate and mortgage litigation cases including mortgage recovery, estate litigation, bankruptcy, securities litigation, professional negligence, and general corporate/commercial litigation. Working on cases at all levels of court in Canada, Kelli has counselled and co-counselled several significant cases at the trial and appellate level. In addition to litigation, Kelli also practices real estate including residential and commercial, mortgage refinancing, wills and estate planning, franchising, corporate including share purchase and asset purchase agreements. Prior to her call to the bar in January 2003, Kelli was a law clerk for 13 years. In this capacity, she gained significant experience working with prominent senior lawyers in the commercial litigation field, with a special emphasis on solicitor negligence claims. Kelli credits this background to her pragmatic approach to her files. Kelli lives in Brooklin Ontario with her husband and has three children. Kelli’s favorite pastime without a doubt is travelling. Having her next trip booked is mandatory! She also loves cooking, waterskiing, downhill skiing, practicing yoga and spending time with her family at their cottage in Haliburton. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020February 24, 2021 No comments yet
Elyse Mallins Elyse Mallins joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2020 as a partner in our Labour Law and Commercial Litigation groups. She graduated from York University in 1999 where she received a B.A.(Hons.) in Sociology. She later went on to receive her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School. Elyse was called to the Ontario Bar in 2003. Prior to joining DSF, Elyse acted as senior counsel where she provided exceptional legal services and proactive, practical guidance to employer and employee clients. Elyse’s experience has allowed her to sit on both sides of the table in a workplace dispute: she has been both the client and the counsel. This has given her unprecedented insights from both perspectives and the ability to predict and respond to issues before they escalate. She is a frequent and highly respected speaker at seminars and conferences across Canada and regularly provides extensive nationwide training on all practical workplace matters, including sexual harassment, violence in the workplace, workplace investigations, human rights, and disability management. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020November 5, 2020 No comments yet
Larry W. Keown Larry has practised with the firm since 1997 as a litigator in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate law and employment law including: commercial landlord and tenant litigation, leasing disputes, real estate and mortgage litigation, banking recovery litigation, title insurance litigation, bankruptcy, receivership and insolvency, wrongful dismissal and employment law, oppression remedy and shareholder disputes, franchise disputes, construction lien litigation, injunctions, estate litigation, partnership litigation, commercial contract disputes and collections. Larry completed his honour arts degree in Psychology and Sociology at Brandon University in Manitoba and his law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. After articling at the firm in 1995/1996, Larry was called to the Bar in 1997 and admitted as a partner in the firm in 2003. For more than a decade, Larry has been the Managing Partner of the firm. Larry’s clients include a broad range of individuals, corporations and institutions including: major banks, lenders, title insurers, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, shareholders, employers, employees, commercial landlords, commercial tenants, property managers, insurers and others. He has significant courtroom experience, having appeared before the Small Claims Court of Ontario, the Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Canada, the Divisional Court in Ontario and the Ontario Court of Appeal on numerous motions, applications, trials and appeals. Larry has also appeared before many tribunals including: the Financial Services Commission, the Work Place Safety and Insurance Tribunal and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He also has participated in many alternative dispute forums including: arbitrations and mediations. To see what some of Larry’s clients have said about him please visit our Client Testimonials page. Our law firm is conveniently located at Lawrence and Don Mills and we offer free parking. For further information or assistance with a legal matter please contact Toronto lawyer and litigator Larry Keown. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020December 11, 2020 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, 2020December 5, 2020 No comments yet
