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
John P. Schuman John P. Schuman is certified as a specialist in family law. He is an experienced and respected family lawyer, education lawyer and children’s rights lawyer. John Schuman is the partner heading the family law group at Devry Smith Frank LLP and he has earned the respect of his clients, judges, mediators and arbitrators for his sensible approach to resolving family law issues, his concern for children, and his understanding of complex financial matters. John Schuman received his Honours B.A. from Queens University in 1994. He obtained his EMCA (paramedic designation) in 1995. John attended Law School at the University of Windsor, graduating in 1998. He then went on to complete his LL.M. in child and family law at Queen’s University in 1999. John’s thesis on questioning child witnesses was published that same year and remains a frequently cited authority on the proper way to obtain the evidence of children. John Schuman has always practised in the areas of family law and children’s rights. He articled at a prominent Toronto litigation firm. After John was called to the bar in 2001, he practised at a firm known for its work in children’s legal issues and family law. He was also counsel for a children’s aid society before joining a prominent Toronto family law litigation boutique. He joined Devry Smith & Frank in 2009. John P. Schuman has litigated before every level of court in Ontario, several tribunals, Family arbitration, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Several of John’s cases have been reported in law reports. John’s cases involving children’s rights have been reported in the national media. John has earned the respect of the judges, mediators and arbitrators before whom he appears. In a recent court decision, Justice Sherr wrote “Mr. Schuman’s conduct, in this case, is an example of what lawyers are supposed to do in difficult cases.” John has published articles in referred legal journals on the questioning of child witnesses, allegations of abuse when parents have separated, the role children should place in the court process and the rights of children to direct their own medical treatment. John P. Schuman is also the editor of the “Child in the Courtroom” chapter of Wilson on Children and the Law. He is co-author of the Child Protection Proceedings Chapter in Evidence in Family Law. John’s book “Guide to the Basics of Family Law” is available on Amazon – click here or here. John is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Association of Family Mediators, the ADR Institute of Ontario, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Collaborative Practice Toronto, the Ontario Paramedic Association and he is on the board of directors of York Collaborative Practice. Outside of the practice of law, he is an avid swimmer, paddler and cyclist and retains an interest in pre-hospital emergency care. By Justin DominicMay 27, 2020November 5, 2020 No comments yet
Maya Krishnaratne Immigration lawyer Maya Krishnaratne LL.B is a partner at Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF). For the last ten years, Maya has largely practiced civil litigation with a focus on civil defence work. This experience has afforded Maya the ability to act ardently for institutional and individual clients alike, think on her feet, and devise creative and compelling arguments in representing clients. She prides herself on strong communication skills, astute attention to detail, and the sense of trust she builds with her clients. Maya’s professional legal career began in Insurance Defence law and litigation, where she worked with large corporations and individuals obtaining successful outcomes in an efficient and judicious manner. Maya currently practices within DSF’s immigration practice with a view to advising prospective and existing clients with permanent residence and visa applications. Her professional interests lie in corporate immigration law and cross-border issues and advice to multinational corporations, small businesses and individuals in developing immigration strategies and ensuring successful cross-border travel. Her extensive litigation experience also means an ability to advise clients regarding appeals of denied applications and to act as counsel in an appeal should a client wish to pursue one. She believes firmly in the value of a multicultural, ever-evolving population in Canada and is committed to helping those who wish to become part of this great country. Maya insists that clients are kept in the loop at every stage of an application and finds that clients are served best when they are directly involved in their files. Maya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with distinction from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa. Outside of her day to day practice, Maya serves on the firm’s articling and summer student committee, devotes time on a pro bono basis to children from low-income families requiring representation in the education system, and volunteers at a Toronto hospital. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020November 17, 2020 No comments yet
Katelyn Bell Katelyn obtained an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from the University of Guelph in 2014 and she completed her J.D. in 2018 at the University of Ottawa. Katelyn was called to the Ontario Bar in 2019. Katelyn joined Devry Smith Frank LLP as a summer student in 2017, an articling student in 2018, and an associate in the Family Law Group in 2019. Her legal career has focused exclusively in family law and education law. She has experience both before the courts as well as with mediations and arbitrations. When it comes to family law, Katelyn’s approachable and practical mannerisms have earned her much respect and confidence amongst clients and colleagues. With her training and experience in family law negotiations, Katelyn is committed to helping her clients avoid conflicts or expensive court battles and reach solutions with a balanced effort. In education law, Katelyn takes pride in representing the legal rights of students and their families across the board – both in the private and public school sectors. Katelyn is committed to working with her clients to determine the best strategy for their challenging educational legal issues. When Katelyn is outside the office, she enjoys travelling, the theatre, fictional reading, hot yoga, and spending time with her family (most notably her dog!). Katelyn has acted as counsel for the following reported decision: Prestige Montessori v Muhammad and Amina Shahzad By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 19, 2020November 25, 2020 No comments yet
