BALES BEALL - Key Persons
Alex is a Partner at Bales Beall LLP. His practice is focused on estate litigation and complex estate administration issues. He appears regularly in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and has represented clients in significant mandates involving estate administration disputes, will challenges and interpretation proceedings, and dependent's relief claims. Alex also represents clients in matters involving guardianship and power of attorney disputes, many of which involve family law elements. In addition to his litigation practice, Alex advises both trustees and beneficiaries in resolving difficult probate and estate asset issues, particularly in matters where there are assets outside of Ontario.
Charles is a founding partner of Bales Beall LLP whose practice focuses on resolving estate, family wealth and disputes related to family-owned businesses. Charles thrives as a strategic thinker. His extensive litigation experience includes corporate, commercial and securities matters, civil proceedings, judicial inquiries, professional liability and Crown prosecution. As a trained mediator, Charles possesses an exceptional ability to participate in the mediation process and develop resolutions that stimulate creativity and, more importantly, build trust.
Charles is an avid photographer. If you're lucky, he'll show you some of his work.
Gila's practice focuses on estate litigation and estate administration, including will challenges, dependent relief claims, guardianship, and power of attorney disputes. Before joining Bales Beall, Gila was a family law lawyer at a boutique family law firm. She successfully represented clients before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice on a wide range of family law issues. Gila's family law experience allows her to effectively advise and represent clients on their estate matters, many of which involve the intersection of both areas of law.
Gila prides herself on being a compassionate lawyer who is focused on excellent client service through an empathetic and tailored approach. She understands that estate litigation can be an overwhelming and sensitive topic for her clients. Gila can be both a source of information and support for her clients at a time when they need it the most.
Hugh's practice is devoted to family law. He has experience handling various family law matters, including support, property, and parenting disputes. He is passionate about resolving disputes practically and compassionately and takes pride in delivering efficient solutions to his clients. Hugh has advocated for his clients at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Hugh holds a J.D. from Western University. Before law school, he received a B.B.A. from the Lazaridus School of Business and Economics. During his legal studies, Hugh earned a place on the Dean's List and received the Law Society of Ontario Prize, awarded to the top fifteen students in each graduating class. He developed his advocacy skills by competing in moot court competitions and received an award for Best Appellant Factum at the 2019 Lerners LLP Cup Moot. Hugh was actively involved with Pro Bono Students Canada and Community Legal Services. He also organized and performed in an annual charity concert for a local hospital.
Karon is a founding partner of Bales Beall LLP whose experience speaks for itself. Her practice is centred on family law, wills and estate issues. Her experience in trial and appellate advocacy in family law and estate matters is extensive, particularly with those involving partnerships, business corporations and commercial issues. Karon also provides sound guidance with estate administration and planning, domestic and off-shore trusts, and succession planning for owners of family businesses. Her expertise also extends to mediation, as she's been conducting private mediations for over 10 years in the areas of family law and estate litigation - most often for cases where those two areas of the law intersect. Karon's passion and dedication shine through her work. She's been listed in Best Lawyers - Canada (the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession) since 2006.
Katie is a lawyer with Bales Beall LLP, having previously articled with the firm from 2018 to 2019. She practices in the areas of estate litigation and family law. Prior to joining Bales Beall, Katie gained experience at a boutique estate litigation firm. During her legal studies, Katie volunteered as a case worker and litigator at Community Legal Aid, providing legal services to low income and vulnerable individuals in the community. Throughout her time at law school, Katie was an active member of the school's Women and the Law Chapter, chairing the Speakers Committee in her second year and acting as the Vice President of Operations in her final year.
Katie is a hodophile. She has previously spent time living abroad in Europe and in Asia.
Family law is Lauren's passion, and she prides herself on her tireless commitment to advocating for her client's interests, while also supporting them through one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
Lauren's practice is restricted to family law and she provides counsel on all areas of family law matters, including complex financial issues, custody and access disputes, and domestic contracts.
Lauren is skilled at advancing claims through the court process, and resolving matters through various methods of alternative dispute resolution, such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Lauren graduated from the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law in 2017, and she was called to the Ontario bar in 2018. Lauren completed her Masters at McGill University in 2013, and her bachelor's degree from the University of Ottawa in 2012.
Pia Hundal's practice focuses on estate and trust litigation, including will challenges, will interpretation, passing of accounts applications, dependent's support claims, power of attorney disputes, guardianships, trust litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
Pia acts as both a mediator and mediation advocate.
Pia works to resolve disputes in the most cost-effective manner and has a great deal of experience resolving disputes at mediation. She also has extensive litigation experience, including work on major trials and arbitrations, and has made countless appearances in the Superior Court of Justice.
Earlier in her career, Pia practiced family law, estates and civil litigation. As a result of her experience practicing family law, Pia brings a unique perspective on the impact of family law issues on estates matters.
Pia's expertise has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada since 2020. Pia has also been recognized by Lexpert for her estates law expertise since 2020.
Richard is a Partner at Bales Beall LLP, practicing in the areas of family law and civil litigation. His family law practice focuses heavily on the resolution of disputes through negotiation and alternative methods of resolution. His versatility and experience allow him to effectively provide advice to clients on matters surrounding separation and divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and the division of marital property.
Outside of law, Richard has been very active in politics. Prior to law school, he served as an assistant in the offices of several federal cabinet ministers as well as an intern in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. He also served as national president of the youth wing for a major Canadian political party.