George O. Frank George was called to the Bar in 1982 and has practiced primarily in the area of civil litigation throughout his career. He received a degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and is a graduate of Queen’s University Law School in Kingston, Ontario, winning prizes in contracts law and mediations and arbitrations. George has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in Civil Litigation and has been an instructor of Civil Litigation at the Bar Admission Course in Toronto. Although the focus of George’s practice has been in the areas of personal injury, insurance defence and related areas, he also has extensive experience and expertise in employment law and wrongful dismissal, injunctions and equitable relief, real estate litigation, estates litigation and a wide variety of other commercial litigation. George has extensive training and experience in mediations and alternative dispute resolution. George’s personal injury experience includes claims arising in the context of car accidents, falls, dog bites, products liability, assaults and others. He has experience with complex personal injuries, including fatalities, spinal cord injuries (paraplegia and quadriplegia), traumatic brain injuries (head injuries) and serious orthopaedic and psychiatric injuries. George has experience dealing with claims arising in the context of automobile liability policies, homeowners policies, comprehensive general liability policies, excess and umbrella polices, fleet and garage policies and others. Claims which he has handled have involved a wide range of insurance issues, including coverage, tort, bodily injury, fire, theft, property, occupier’s liability, products liability, fidelity and employee dishonesty, statutory accident benefits, and underinsured, uninsured and unidentified motorists and subrogation. These claims have involved issues such as future income loss and future care claims, present value determinations, income tax gross ups, discount rates, structured settlements and claims of minors and other parties under a disability. Accident benefits mediations and arbitrations in which George has been involved have dealt with a variety of accident benefits issues including income replacement benefits (including self-employed claimants and entitlement after age 65), non-earner benefits, post-two year benefits, care giver benefits, medical and rehabilitation benefits, attendant care benefits, housekeeping and home maintenance expenses, death and funeral expenses, catastrophic designations and procedural issues dealing with termination of benefits as well as bad faith and special award claims. George is also experienced with related actions dealing with collateral benefits, including disability claims (both private disability insurance (LTD) and CPP disability), as well as related actions before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT), and the CPP Appeals Tribunal. George has dealt extensively with a wide variety of experts, including actuaries, economists, forensic accountants, doctors and other health care providers, engineers and investigators. Trials and arbitrations in which George has been involved have dealt with most of these issues. George has extensive experience with procedural and interlocutory matters including appeals of interlocutory and final orders at all levels of the courts. George has appeared before many different courts and tribunals in Ontario, including the Federal Court of Canada, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, the Ontario Municipal Board, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the CPP Review Tribunal. George has extensive training and experience in mediations and alternative dispute resolution. He has been a mediator and judge at the International Competition for Mediation Advocacy. Cases in which George has been counsel have been reported in the Ontario Reports, the Canadian Bankruptcy Reports, Carswell Practice Cases, the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure and other trade and business publications. He has spoken at various continuing education and other programmes on a variety of legal topics. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 19, 2020January 18, 2024 No comments yet
Katelyn Bell Katelyn’s legal career began at Devry Smith Frank LLP many years ago, as a summer student dedicated to learning more about family law and helping families navigate these often challenging times. Her passion for the practice of family law has not wavered since; though she has developed a busy practice in education law along the way. As an education law lawyer, Katelyn represents students of all ages and areas of study, 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, ranging from matters of suspension, bullying, expulsion, harassment, failure to accommodate, and more. Having obtained an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from the University of Guelph with a focus in psychology and family studies prior to her completing law school at the University of Ottawa, Katelyn understands the important role she plays in assisting her clients with divorce, parenting, property and other financial legal issues stemming from a familial separation. Katelyn is knowledgeable and experienced, having successfully represented her clients at all levels of Court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal. Katelyn also regularly appears before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Child and Family Services Review Board. Katelyn practices often in a litigation-based setting, but she always remains committed to cost-effective and timely solutions for her clients which will often mean engaging in an alternative dispute resolution process such as mediation or arbitration. Katelyn is also a panel lawyer for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, representing the needs and interests of children across multiple municipalities. Katelyn is able to service a wide range of clients across the Province by dividing her time between DSF’s Toronto, Collingwood and Barrie offices. Katelyn’s approachable and practical mannerisms have earned her much respect and confidence amongst clients and colleagues. Her biggest supporters however are her family, which includes her aussiedoodle and her sheepadoodle. Katelyn adores all animals but especially dogs; she loves travelling anywhere to chase the sunshine; and she thoroughly enjoys reading or watching a spicy true crime drama. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 19, 2020March 21, 2024 No comments yet
Nikki Alteen Nikki joined Devry Smith Frank (DSF) LLP in 2013 as a Paralegal. She brings over fifteen years of experience in debt collections and unsecured debt recovery and three years of experience in commercial litigation and small claims court. Nikki Alteen graduated with honours from the Paralegal Studies program at Algonquin Careers Academy in 2010 and obtained her Paralegal License through the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2014. She enjoys spending her spare time with family and friends, being active, and cooking. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 14, 2020December 6, 2021 No comments yet
Lloyd W. Ament Certified Specialist in Citizenship & Immigration Law Registered Trade Mark Agent Lloyd was awarded a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1972 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1975 from McGill University. He was called to the bar in 1977. He was designated as a Certified Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law in April 2004 and serves as counsel to DSF’s Immigration Law practice group. He has been practicing immigration and corporate/commercial law for more than 40 years and has been designated by the Law Society of Ontario as a Certified Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law. Lloyd was a previous member of the Executive Committee of the Ontario Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section. Lloyd has an active global corporate immigration law practice and is associated with law firms internationally. Lloyd’s experience in corporate/commercial and business law also provides him with the knowledge and expertise to better assist corporations, business owners and individuals in all aspects of the immigration process. Acting for and representing clients from around the world his immigration law practice includes legal advice and counselling for: • Intra-company Transfers under CUSMA (NAFTA 2.0) and General Provisions for Eligible Foreign Workers • Business persons under the Economic, Business and Provincial Nominee Programs • Skilled Professionals under the Skilled Worker or Trades Program through Express Entry • Business Visitors and professionals under CUSMA and other trade treaties • Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) for Foreign Workers • Student Permit Applications for Foreign Students • Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) for Business Visitors/Tourists from non-visa exempt countries • Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) Applications for Criminal Rehabilitation • Service Canada (ESDC) Permanent Offers of Employment for Potential Skilled Workers • Family Class Sponsorships • Residency Regulation compliance with “2 years in 5 years” • Canadian Citizenship for eligible Permanent Residents In addition to his immigration practice, Lloyd is also a registered Trade Mark Agent in Canada. He represents clients on national and international trademark matters, including the ability of a mark to qualify for registration, assessment, conflict review and application preparation. Lloyd has previously acted as legal counsel to the Mississauga Chinese Business Association. Lloyd is a member of the following professional organizations: • Recent past member of Executive Committee of Ontario Bar Association – Citizenship and Immigration • The Law Society of Ontario • The Canadian Bar Association – Immigration Section • American Immigration Lawyers Association • The Asia-Pacific Lawyers Association By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 4, 2020February 21, 2024 No comments yet
Robert P. Adourian Robert Adourian practices with the Devry Smith Frank LLP in Toronto. He is a graduate of the University of Windsor Law School and was called to the Bar in 1980. He practices in the areas of real estate, wills, estate planning, and estate administration. He gives presentations to community groups on topics such as “Buying Your First Home” and “Why You Should Make A Will.” His real estate practice includes residential, commercial, and industrial transactions, including representing major banks and trust companies in financing transactions. He has taught in the Real Estate section of the Bar Admission Course and has served as a mentor to law students and young lawyers. Robert is an active member of the Armenian Bar Association, a worldwide organization of Armenian lawyers, and has served on the Association’s Board of Governors. Robert is also currently an elected Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario. By Fauzan SiddiquiApril 28, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet