Sarah Robus Book a consultation with Sarah Name Phone Number Email Message Send Sarah Robus joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) in 2021 as an associate lawyer in the family law group.Sarah studied at the University of Ottawa where she obtained an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with Specialization in Criminology and thereafter completed her J.D. at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. Prior to joining DSF, Sarah worked for a boutique firm in Mississauga gaining years of experience in family law.Working out of the Barrie and Collingwood locations, Sarah helps her clients negotiate a wide range of family law issues, including high-conflict parenting issues, child and spousal support, and property division.Sarah is settlement-focused and understands that negotiating the resolution of a family law matter can be an emotional and challenging experience for her clients. Her honest and approachable manner places clients at ease and contributes to her success in achieving her client’s goals, whether this is through settlement discussions, litigation, mediation or arbitration.Sarah believes that the resolution of a family law matter does not need to be an expensive or acrimonious experience, and she approaches each of her files with this attitude.Outside of the office, Sarah enjoys traveling, skiing, and hanging out with her black lab. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 31, 2021April 5, 2024
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
David Heppenstall David is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School (Juris Doctor, 2021) and the University of Guelph (Bachelor of Computing, 2008). David joined the commercial litigation and insurance defence groups at Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) following his call to the bar in 2022. David previously worked at DSF as both a summer student and as a student-at-law. As a litigation specialist, David has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court, Ontario Court, as well as various federal, provincial, and municipal agencies, boards, and commissions. Law is David’s second career, his previous being in computer science. For most of his technical career, David developed solutions for complex customer issues at Dell EMC. On multiple occasions, he received excellence awards for his focus on customer satisfaction, dedication, passion, and initiative. David’s broad experience with enterprise computing informs his legal practice. David is a national mooting champion. At the 2021 Adam F. Fanaki Competition Law Moot, David and his team won overall Best Faculty. Additionally, he also won Best Factum and Best Oralist awards—demonstrating command over both written and verbal advocacy. David was deeply involved with his law school and became highly decorated during his studies. Osgoode awarded David with multiple graduation prizes and other awards for excellence beyond academic achievement; including the Honourable Paul Bentley ’77 Prize for Professionalism, the Osgoode Hall Law Journal Prize, and a Student Honour Award. David also served as the Director of Production at the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, worked for three pro bono community legal clinics, and he volunteered with the Osgoode Mooting Society and the Osgoode Disability Collective. In his first year, his section awarded him the “MVP” Award. David is a high school law teacher, instructing extension program students who are interested in deepening their understanding of the law. David is a keen public speaker. He is a member and past president of both the Tuesday Literary Club and the Ruskin Literary and Debating Society. At the Tuesday Literary Club, he is a recipient of the Harry Fairhead Award of Merit. At Ruskin, he is a recipient of the George Sunderland Prize and the Ian Galt Award. David is an athlete, team leader, and adventurer. He participates in triathlons, captained two-floor hockey teams, portaged the backcountry in northern Ontario, bicycled solo 600 kilometres across southern Ontario, hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, and is a hang glider pilot. David is a notary public for the Province of Ontario. By Fauzan SiddiquiSeptember 29, 2020April 24, 2024
Kenna Bromley Family lawyer Kenna Bromley joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2020 as an associate in our Barrie Family Law group. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts and later received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa. Prior to joining DSF, Kenna advocated on behalf of clients at a law firm in Orillia where she gained extensive litigation experience in divorce and separation, custody, access, support, property, and child protection proceedings. As a Barrie family lawyer, Kenna has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and although her practice takes her to the courtroom often for conferences, summaries, motions and trials, she also uses collaborative and alternative processes to reach agreements that are mutually beneficial for all parties involved. She serves as a panel member for the Office of Children’s Lawyer, County Simcoe, Ontario where she acts as counsel and represents children clients under both the CLRA and CFSA. Kenna is also actively involved as a volunteer for various causes including community outreach, charitable events, and currently serves as vice-chair and board member for the Barrie Women and Children’s shelter. Outside the court, she spends much of her spare time practicing yoga, exploring healthy cooking and playing golf. For more information regarding family law, please contact Barrie family lawyer Kenna Bromley at kenna.bromley@devrylaw.ca Kenna has acted as counsel for the following reported decisions: Balfour v. Balfour, 2019 ONSC 2892 (CanLII) Lonsdale v. Smart, 2018 ONSC 3991 (CanLII) Kaplan v. Kaplan, 2015 ONSC 1277 (CanLII) Graham v. Sherman, 2015 ONSC 1882 (CanLII) S.D.G. v. A.S., 2015 ONSC 752 (CanLII) Sine v. Bannister, 2016 ONSC 7750 (CanLII) 2023 ONSC 303 (CanLII) | Kasmieh v. Hannora | CanLII By Fauzan SiddiquiJuly 15, 2020April 24, 2024 No comments yet
James A. Proskurniak Jim is an experienced Toronto lawyer who joined the business law group of Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) early in 2014. In his previous years of practice, Jim was a senior business law partner in the Toronto office of a well respected national Canadian law firm. With DSF, Jim looks forward to continuing to offer client-focused and cost-effective legal services and solutions as a trusted advisor to business owners, corporations, institutions and organizations. All clients benefit from Jim’s extensive experience in advising domestic and foreign clients in all aspects of Canadian corporate and commercial law including loans secured by personal and real property, business formation and corporate law and business succession planning. In his commercial lending practice with DSF, Jim will continue to provide personalized and value-added services to a broad range of lenders including banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, private lenders, institutional and other specialty lenders and governmental financing agencies. He is also well versed in providing commercial law support to restructuring and insolvency practitioners in connection with loan realization and work-out transactions. His financial services clients benefit from his extensive experience in advising domestic and foreign lenders in all aspects of Canadian commercial lending law including syndicated and single lender loan documents, security documentation collateralizing both personal and real property, inter-creditor and subordination agreements, cross-border issues, specialized security over investment property, transactional legal opinions, banking services and products and the regulatory aspects of foreign lenders operating in the Canadian market. He also provides expert advice with respect to the application and interpretation of the Ontario Personal Property Security Act and Securities Transfer Act, 2006. Jim’s business law practice with DSF will accentuate his personalized and value-added services to small and medium-sized Canadian businesses and subsidiaries of foreign multinational corporations and to the institutions and organizations that serve and interact with those types of businesses. Business owners will benefit from his broad experience in structuring and implementing business succession planning transactions. Jim’s industry experience includes automotive, aerospace, agriculture, financial services, investment advisory, financial planning, technology, manufacturing, sports franchises, pension funds, distributors, transportation, infrastructure, cooperatives, marketing, brand advisory and commercial real estate. He enhances his legal practice through involvement in various business and legal professional organizations, and he gives back to the legal community through writing, teaching and participation in law reform committees. In his spare time, Jim likes to spend time with close friends and family. He enjoys a good movie and has been known to attend popular music concerts by both classic and upcoming performers, at venues large and small. Summer often finds him assisting happily with gardening and landscaping projects around the house. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 28, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
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 Fauzan SiddiquiMay 28, 2020September 7, 2023 No comments yet
Michael E. Reed After a successful career of over 50 years, Michael Reed has retired from the practice of law. DSF remains committed to delivering quality legal services to Michael’s clients, and we are pleased to announce that Jillian Bowman, Tracey Rynard, and Laura Rosati, will be representing Michael’s clients going forward. Michael Reed has practiced in Barrie since 1972, building a large clientele base consisting of second and third-generation individuals. An extensive portion of his practice involves residential real estate covering new homes, condominiums, re-sales and refinancing, as well as commercial real estate and leasing. Michael also practices in the area of wills, powers of attorney, estate planning for disabled individuals (Henson Trusts), and the utilization of trusts, estate planning, and administration of estates. The corporate portion of Michael’s practice consists of some 400 companies, including some of Simcoe County’s largest private corporations and farming enterprises. Included in this area of law are acquisitions, mergers, re-organizations, amalgamations of businesses, purchase and sale of businesses by way of asset transactions and/or sale share transactions, and partnership agreements. Other projects include subdivision development and severances for corporate and individual clients. Having obtained his Master of Laws in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School, Michael has conducted several mediation sessions to resolve commercial disputes. Michael has been a highly active member of the community through his involvement with Simcoe Community Services, Junior Achievement, Masons, Shriners, Minor Baseball Association, and Barrie Integrated Baseball Association. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 28, 2020January 23, 2024 No comments yet
Sean C. Rimoin Sean joined Devry Smith Frank LLP in 2014. He is currently the head of the firm’s commercial lending group and regularly acts for and advises Canadian chartered banks, non-bank financial institutions and borrowers in connection with secured and unsecured lending transactions. Sean specializes in all areas of commercial lending, including but not limited to, single-lender financing transactions, acquisition financings, syndicated loans and real estate and construction financing transactions. Sean takes pride in building meaningful relationships with his clients and, as a result, has built a vast network with finance, legal and industry experts. Further, he often connects people to facilitate or create opportunities for his clients and bring value to them in non-legal ways. When not working, Sean enjoys a variety of sporting activities as well as spending time with family and friends. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 28, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
Dejan Ristic Dejan was called to the Ontario bar in 2020. He was previously called to the bar in Bosnia & Herzegovina where he practiced law until 1994. Dejan was licensed as a paralegal in Ontario from 2008 to 2020. Dejan was conferred a Master of Laws degree by Osgoode Hall Law School in 2019 and had his legal education and training accredited by the National Committee on Accreditation, FLSC. Dejan joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 1997 leaving a prominent Toronto personal injury law firm and has since successfully assisted counsel and the clients of DSF in all aspects of civil litigation at trials and appeals, as well as at various tribunals in Ontario such as the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Licence Appeal Tribunal AABS, Social Benefits Tribunal (Ontario), Social Security Tribunal (Canada) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Dejan represents clients of DSF predominantly in the area of personal injury litigation and disability claims, yet is able to offer sound advice and representation on any ancillary and collateral civil and criminal matters resulting from accidents and/or ongoing disability, either alone or together with one or more of over 65 lawyers from every practice area of DSF. Dejan’s over 25 years of combined litigation experience and knowledge creates a solid foundation for winning cases in court or through the alternative dispute resolution process. Dejan is fluent in many languages of the former Yugoslavia. He takes pride in serving his clients in the language of their choice, so nothing is signed and sealed without a full understanding of its content. Testimonials: “Dejan, I would like to THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put in during the past 30 months in fighting my son’s case. You have handled the case very professionally and notified me at every stage on the progress of the case. I am glad that the case is finally settled and quite satisfied with the result. Thank you once again. – Anwar Q “I was so fortunate that I had Dejan Ristic as the point person and interface to the insurance company. His depth of knowledge and commitment to providing me with understanding and compassionate support was a true life saver. Dejan was always ready to listen and provide words of encouragement during my recovery and aid in navigating the complex dynamics of personal injury law.”- DC “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dejan for assisting with my personal injury lawsuit. Your considerable insight and professionalism was admirable. I appreciate your hard work and more importantly your dedication to my case. I would recommend Dejan and the DSF team without hesitation.”- M.M.H. “Your office was given this legal representation to work with [the insurance company] and come to a dispute settlement on my behalf, under the circumstance, I do believe that you have done well, and I appreciate all your efforts. I will recommend my friends to your office if they need legal representation. Thank you for a job well done.” – Michael A. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 28, 2020April 24, 2024 No comments yet
Laura Rosati Laura Rosati joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2019 as an associate in our Barrie real estate group. Laura graduated with merit from York University, majoring in Psychology and earned her Law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. Laura’s practice focuses on all aspects of real estate law, including residential and commercial transactions, mortgages, refinances and transfers. Laura is a board member of both the Barrie Real Estate Lawyers Association (BRELA) and the Child Advocacy Centre Simcoe/Muskoka. She is also a member of the Business & Professional Women (BPW) of Barrie and Women’s Art Council, McMichael Canadian Art Collection and is a passionate supporter of The Olive Branch for Children, which is a charity based in Tanzania, Africa, supporting children living with HIV/Aids. In her spare time, Laura spends time with her two daughters, Sophia and Elise, and their dog Bella. TESTIMONIALS “Worked with my solicitor Laura Rosati to close a real estate transaction. My closing was organized and seamless. She took care of all the details and all I had to do was sign, sign, sign and DONE. I definitely would recommend her when buying or selling any real estate transaction!”. – Sat Singh “Our experience with Laura Rosati was very positive, her attention to detail and explaining the real estate process was very helpful for us to understand. We would most definitely use her again. Thanks, Laura!”. – Valerie Bitten By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 28, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet