Fraser Rogers Fraser Rogers joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (“DSF”) in 2022 as a result of the merger of our firms in Haliburton. Fraser holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto, and an honours undergraduate degree in Economics from Trent University. After being called to the Ontario Bar in 1978, Fraser went on to join a fellow Haliburton lawyer’s practice, which would eventually become Bishop & Rogers. For over 40 years, Bishop & Rogers served Haliburton, Minden and the surrounding area with exceptional client service and dedication to the community. Fraser’s practice involves a variety of real estate matters with a particular emphasis on residential purchase and sale transactions, including cottage properties. Fraser’s wills and estates practice encompasses all aspects of estate planning and administration. In his spare time, Fraser is a member of the Minden Legion. He also enjoys playing hockey, gardening, canoeing, and cruising down the mighty Gull River with his wife, Kathy. By Lancelot BucknorFebruary 16, 2023February 21, 2023
Rachel Bunbury Rachel Bunbury joined Devry Smith Frank LLP as an immigration lawyer in 2022 and has over 15 years of legal and business experience. Rachel completed her J.D at Western University, and she holds LL.M and LL.CM degrees from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. She completed her undergraduate studies at McGill University, where she graduated on the Dean’s List and was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society. As an associate lawyer, Rachel advised multinational corporations in all aspects of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and provided counsel to corporate clients regarding the immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and material changes in employment. She drafted legal submissions under the North American Free Trade Agreement, Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and other international agreements to obtain status documents for temporary foreign workers. As her practice grew, she gained clients from a broad range of geographic regions, and helped them successfully make submissions to consulates and ports of entry under trade agreements and immigration legislation. She is the Vice-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Regulation of Lawyers’ Compliance Committee and she is a member of the Penn Club of New York. Rachel was called to the bar in Ontario (2008) and admitted as an attorney in New York (2008).To work with Rachel Bunbury call 416-446-5087 or email Rachel.Bunbury@Devrylaw.ca. By Lancelot BucknorOctober 11, 2022March 13, 2023
Dayna Devonish-Montique Dayna joined the firm in 2022 as an articling student in the Midland office, after the merger of Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) and Prost & Lediard Law. She completed her LL.B (Hons) from the University of the West Indies, Barbados, and has received her Certificate of Competence from the National Committee on Accreditation as an internationally trained lawyer. Prior to joining DSF Dayna articled at Prost & Lediard Law where she gained extensive experience in an array of wills and estates, civil and small claims matters. Before Prost and Lediard Dayna worked with several government Ministries including the Ministry of the Attorney General as a Family Court Registrar at the Superior Court of Justice in Barrie. Dayna’s practice areas span from wills, estate planning and estate administration to immigration, corporate law, and civil litigation. Dayna enjoys both a solicitor-based practice and being in the courtroom intermittently. She is energetic and enthusiastic and enjoys meeting clients on a one-on-one basis, she welcomes the opportunity to meet new clients and assist them in navigating their estate planning needs. Dayna is a new member of the Young Women in Law Association and Uplift Black in Simcoe County (and the Law Society of Ontario). In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym and spending time with family. By Lancelot BucknorSeptember 27, 2022March 31, 2023
Martin Prost Martin Prost joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (“DSF”) in 2022 as a result of the merger of our firms. Martin Prost was born on a farm in what is now the east end of Hamilton, Ontario, where hard work and common sense were the key ingredients of everyday life. After finishing High School in Stoney Creek, he obtained his first university degree in an honours bachelor of arts (Classics) program, not surprisingly at McMaster University. He then proceeded to London for his law degree at the University of Western Ontario. Upon being called to the bar in 1974, he began his practice of law in the Town of Midland. Although he remained in general practice his interest gravitated to family law and other areas of law involving personal conflict. From there he developed an interest and aptitude in conflict resolution skills, beginning with a relational mediation course in California in 1981. Thereafter, he added to those skills by gaining experience along the way and by further courses in Alternative Dispute Resolution at the University of Windsor and a course in Divorce and Child Custody Mediation with CDR Associates in Boulder, Colorado. This led to an interest in family group conferencing and restorative justice circles both of which are based on similar principles. In 1998 he brought together the local Youth Court Judge, the Chief of Police, the school Attendance Officer, and other interested community members to establish the FACE Program, being a restorative justice project to divert young offenders from Youth Court to restorative circles designed to heal relationships between victims, offender and others affected by their behaviour. From there he has arrived at a personal belief that conflict is a valuable resource that should never be taken away from those directly involved except as a last resort, and then only as a temporary measure. Situations that involve conflict should be welcomed as opportunities for growth and renewal for partners, families and communities alike. By Lancelot BucknorSeptember 27, 2022December 5, 2022
Dale Lediard Dale Lediard joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (“DSF”) as a result of the merger of our firms in 2022. He has been practicing law since 2009 and understands that ultimately what clients want from their lawyer is peace of mind. Peace of mind that their legal matter will be handled professionally and efficiently. Dale works closely with his clients to develop the best solutions to their legal issues at the most competitive cost. He has practiced the areas of Family Law, Employment Law, Wills & Estates (administration & litigation), Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Construction Lien Litigation, and Personal Injury. Dale completed his undergraduate degree in Physical & Health Education at the University of Toronto, obtained a Certificate in Project Management at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and completed his law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. After completing his articles at a prominent downtown Toronto law firm, he returned with his family to the Midland/Penetanguishene area where he was born and raised. Since returning in 2009, Dale has been helping clients in the Simcoe County area in a variety of matters. Dale is a board member for the local charity, We Are The Villagers, and a former member of the Physician Recruitment Steering Committee. He enjoys spending his spare time with his two daughters and participating in a variety of outdoor activities including boating, motorcycling, mountain biking, and tennis. By Lancelot BucknorSeptember 27, 2022October 13, 2022
Julia Ponedelnikova Julia is a graduate of Western University, Faculty of Law (2022). She returns to Devry Smith Frank LLP as an articling student after her summer position at the firm. In law school, Julia completed Western’s ‘Business Law’ Area of concentration; a curricular designation available for students who desire a broader foundation of the legal aspects of business. She served as a Vice President of Western’s Tax Law Association, and has engaged in plentiful litigation-focused moots. Prior to law school, Julia obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Psychology, from York University (2019), having graduated on Dean’s Honour list with a Summa Cum Laude designation. Intentionally, her academic avenue was focused largely on behaviour and social interactions. As a personal accomplishment, Julia has completed numerous Royal Conservatory of Music examinations, was a frequent successful competitor, and a piano teacher for many years. Julia is also fluent in Russian. In her spare time, Julia partakes in martial arts classes, enjoys playing board games, collecting antique books and is a fan of Formula 1. By Fauzan SiddiquiSeptember 12, 2022November 14, 2022
Abby Leung Abby Leung is an articling student at Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) and is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School (Class of 2022). Prior to attending law school, she obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in public law at the University of Toronto and graduated as the top student from the Department of Political Science. Abby previously worked at DSF as a summer student. While in law school, Abby served as the Co-President of the Osgoode’s Asian Law Students Association and an editor for Osgoode’s student newspaper Obiter Dicta and theCourt.ca, Osgoode’s award-winning legal blog. Abby has worked as an intern at Amnesty International Canada and is passionate about social justice, having volunteered as a caseworker at Osgoode’s Community & Legal Aid Services Program and as a legal research assistant at FASD and the Justice System. She is part of the winning team at the 2020 Julius Alexander Isaac Moot for Osgoode as a legal researcher and was awarded with the 2022 FACL Ontario LaForme Scholarship for her work in social justice at Osgoode and beyond. In her spare time, Abby enjoys dancing, trying new escape rooms, playing piano, and cheering on the Toronto Raptors. By Fauzan SiddiquiAugust 4, 2022November 14, 2022
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. 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, 2022March 3, 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, 2022February 27, 2023
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, 2022August 10, 2022
