Tijana Potkonjak Tijana Potkonjak joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) in 2022 as an associate lawyer in our personal injury, insurance defence and estate litigation departments. She earned her B.A. (Hons) from York University and her M.A. from Concordia University and finally received her J.D. from the University of Ottawa. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2018. Prior to joining DSF, Tijana worked for multiple boutique firms across Ottawa and Toronto gaining valuable experience in various litigation matters like personal injury, motor vehicle accident (tort and accident benefits), medical malpractice, commercial disputes, long-term disability and more. She has appeared as counsel in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Justice, Small Claims Court, and various Provincial Tribunals, including the: Licence Appeal Tribunal, Human Rights Tribunal, and Landlord and Tenant Board. Tijana is committed to helping her clients feel heard and understood, reassuring them that their unique trauma is going to be addressed with empathy and compassion while making sure that their claims are dealt with in an efficient and expedient manner. Tijana is experienced in providing representation in the following areas of practice: insurance denials for travel medical expenses, long-term disability, critical illness, fire loss, property damage, commercial policies estate litigation (Will challenges, dependent support claims, unjust enrichment, Family Law Act elections, objection to appointment of an estate trustee or motion to remove a trustee) probate applications (with or without a Will) capacity (capacity assessments, guardianship applications to appoint or remove a guardian, court-ordered assessments) commercial litigation (contract disputes, home defects, construction defects) negligence of real estate agents and brokers She speaks fluent French and Serbian/Croatian. She enjoys spending time with her partner and furry friends, exercising, and the outdoors. Tijana is a member of the Law Society Of Ontario. By Fauzan SiddiquiJuly 6, 2022April 24, 2024
Charlie Fuhr Charlie Fuhr joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) as an associate lawyer in our commercial litigation, insurance defence, estate litigation and personal injury departments. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) and earned a double JD from the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. He was called to the Bar in 2020. Prior to DSF, Charlie worked for a boutique firm in Toronto practicing in the areas of personal injury, civil and commercial litigation. He has represented clients in matters before various courts and tribunals, including the License Appeal Tribunal, Small Claims Court, Superior Court of Ontario, and Court of Appeal for Ontario. His practice with DSF encompasses a wide range of complex litigation matters. His representation of both commercial and individual clients has helped shape his tactical approach to litigation thereby maximizing a favourable outcome for his clients. Charlie values effective communication and while drafting strives for mathematical clarity by explaining calculations line by line along with the applicable assumptions. This client-centric approach has made him a respected and trusted advisor to many of his clients. Outside of work, Charlie has a particular interest in boxing and was the 3x Provincial Champion and competed at the National level. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. By Fauzan SiddiquiJune 14, 2022September 13, 2023
David Derfel David Derfel joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) in our personal injury, estates, and commercial litigation groups. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2002 after completing law school at the University of Windsor. David also possesses an honours commerce degree from York University. David became a partner of the firm involved in many important decisions regarding the firm’s litigation practice. At DSF David gained knowledge and expertise in many areas of law including criminal defence, commercial litigation, insurance defence litigation, and corporate/commercial law. This broad exposure to many areas of law early in his career has enabled David to identify and address many of the issues that can arise in a personal injury claim that other lawyers may not. An accident, injury or illness can impact every aspect of one’s life and David’s experience with multiple practice areas distinguishes him from other lawyers who may only identify some of the issues. For many years David’s practice has been focused almost exclusively on plaintiff personal injury claims. Access to justice has always been important to David. The University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law where David attended law school is focused on access to justice and it was a key consideration in where he went to law school and a large component of many of the courses he took. Facing multi-billion and multi-national insurance companies in defence of the individual is what drives David to excel in his practice. David believes that without access to justice advocates, those who are injured and disabled are left to fend for themselves before the insurmountable power of insurance companies. Following the important lessons, he learned when a law student, David focuses his efforts to even the playing field and brings to account those companies that deny and delay what is necessary to get his clients better, back on their feet, and fairly compensated. Without access to justice, there is no justice at all. David has been a presenter on legal issues related to personal injury at conferences, in hospitals, and other professionals on matters such as chronic pain, the Insurance Act, how to structure large personal injury settlements, and how to access alternative funding before a claim settles. David has represented clients in jury and non-jury trials in the Superior Court of Justice and before administrative tribunals including the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the CPP Appeals Tribunal. Having acted for clients at trial, David knows every aspect of a claim from the beginning to conclusion at trial. David is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Trial Law Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Florida Justice Association. By Fauzan SiddiquiAugust 4, 2021September 5, 2023
Esther Abecassis Esther Abecassis joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2021 as an associate lawyer in our wills and estates and corporate groups. She is a graduate of Western University where she earned both her B.A. and J.D and was soon called to the bar in 2019. Esther began her legal career at a mid-sized downtown firm as a member of the corporate and tax law groups. She then joined a boutique corporate law firm where she developed her skills in business law, estate planning, and real estate. Esther specializes in private wealth management, estate litigation, and business law with extensive experience in dealing with large and complex estate matters. Her clients value her understanding of complex legal issues and her ability to provide individual client-focused solutions. Additionally, Esther also specializes in guardianship matters, providing expert counsel and representation to clients seeking to establish or modify guardianships. With a deep understanding of the intricate legal processes involved, she has successfully advocated for the rights and best interests of vulnerable individuals, ensuring their well-being and protection. Esther is fluent in Spanish and her interests include camping, travelling, cooking different cuisines and swimming. She is also a Broadway enthusiast having attended over 50 different plays. By Fauzan SiddiquiFebruary 16, 2021November 20, 2023
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, 2020March 25, 2024 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, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
