BURN TUCKER LACHAÎNE - Key Persons
Alison has been a litigation lawyer since she was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995. Since 2001, she has worked almost exclusively in long term disability insurance as well as handling matters concerning life insurance, long term care, critical illness and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Alison practiced insurance defence in life and disability insurance both in house as litigation counsel at a large life insurer and in private practice between 2001 and 2014. Alison was a mediator between 2007 and 2012.
In 2014, Alison chose to act exclusively for individual plaintiffs suing their insurers as well as handling related claims for negligence against lawyers and insurance agents. Alison worked at a plaintiff boutique disability law firm in Toronto between 2014 and 2024.
In addition to being a member of the Ontario Bar, for over 20 years Alison has appeared across Canada on disability and life insurance matters by virtue of the country's inter-provincial mobility rules. Alison has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court and Ontario Court of Appeal as well as in British Columbia on disability and life insurance trials and appeals. Alison has represented clients in litigated matters in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Atlantic Provinces on disability and life insurance matters since 2001. Alison was called to the Manitoba Bar in 2023 and has appeared as counsel of record on many cases before the Manitoba King's Bench.
Alison is excited to continue to practice in long term disability and other plaintiff insurance matters with Burn Tucker Lachaine representing clients throughout Canada. Alison has lived in Waterloo, Ontario since 1999 and practices out of firm's offices in Waterloo, Toronto and Ottawa. She is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), Waterloo Region Law Association, County of Carleton Law Association and the Toronto Lawyers Association.
Alison holds a BA in Political Science from McMaster University and obtained her LL.B. from Western University. Alison attended the Mediation and Handling Difficult Conversations courses at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.
In her spare time, Alison enjoys skiing, traveling, walking her dogs and spending time with her adult daughters, husband and large extended family.
Laurie articled at a local Ottawa firm, joined that firm as an associate following her call to the Bar in 2001, and later was a partner of the firm. In 2014, Laurie was pleased to continue her work alongside her long-time team including partners, Colleen Burn and Éliane Lachaîne, at Burn Tucker Lachaîne, a firm dedicated exclusively to personal injury work on behalf of injured persons.
Colleen Burn
Partner
Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in civil litigation
613-319-0626
cburn@burntucker.com
Job Titles:
- Law Clerk
- Member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Debi has been a law clerk with a focus on civil litigation for 25 years. She has been a dedicated member of our team since 2010. She is dedicated to providing a high level of service to the firm's clients and in her support of the firm's lawyers.
Debi is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, in the law clerk section, and a member of the Ottawa Association of Law Clerks. She enjoys being part of the planning committee for the fall fundraising event for the Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley, as well as participating in events for Spinal Cord Injury Ontario.
When not playing hockey and ringette, Debi is an avid Sens and Habs fan, and enjoys spending time with her granddaughters, her family and friends, and can be found planning her next travel adventures.
Katherina graduated from the Law Clerk program from Collège La Cité in 2015. She joined the team of law clerks at Burn Tucker Lachaîne in 2016. In 2019, Katherina left the firm in order to explore other interests in the legal profession. She returned to Burn Tucker Lachaîne in 2022.
Katherina is a fully bilingual law clerk dedicated to assisting clients with their personal injury legal matter during what is, possibly, the most difficult and stressful time in their lives.
During her spare time, Katherina enjoys reading, listening to all the true crime podcasts she can find and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Laurie has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) since 2004 (with a short hiatus). Laurie served a one year term as President of OTLA from May 2023 to May 2024 and is now the Immediate Past President. Laurie has also chaired and presented papers at OTLA's continuing legal education conferences and authored articles for its publication, The Litigator. She has been invited to speak at many other conferences, including the American Association for Justice and the County of Carleton Law Association's Annual Civil Litigation Conference and was a member of their planning committee from 2012 to 2019. Laurie is also a member of the Advocates' Society and has done work for their Child Advocacy Project and the Pro Bono Refugee Sponsorship Support Program.
Laurie is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Youville Centre, an Ottawa non-profit organization which assists young mothers and their children by providing education and daycare in a specialized setting, allowing the young moms to complete high school.
Laurie Tucker
Partner
Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in civil litigation
613-319-0625
ltucker@burntucker.com
Nicole graduated from the Law Clerk program at St. Lawrence College (Kingston) in 2005. She immediately began her legal experience, primarily in personal injury law, and joined this personal injury team in 2006. In 2010, Nicole departed our firm to explore other opportunities with the Department of Justice. After realizing that her heart remained in personal injury law, Nicole returned to our firm in late 2011.
As a personal injury law clerk, Nicole is dedicated to focusing on the needs of the firm's clients. As a member of the Ottawa Association of Law Clerks, Nicole keeps current with developments in personal injury law and skills.
In her personal time, Nicole enjoys sports and spending time with friends and family.
Phyllis has more than 30 years of experience in the area of accident benefits and currently provides consulting services on a part-time basis to Burn Tucker Lachaîne, assisting lawyers, law clerks and clients with all aspects of accident benefits claims.
Phyllis obtained her Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional designation through the Insurance Institute of Canada. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours Law) from Carleton University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University.
When not in the office, Phyllis can often be found at arenas in and around Ottawa. She is the president of the City of Ottawa Ringette Association.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Law Society of Ontario
Priya attended law school at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, where she obtained an L.L.B. with Honours in 2020. During law school, Priya was the Treasurer for the Canadian Law Society, a student society and volunteered with the Student Legal Services of Sussex focusing on Migration Law and Family Law. Priya was also an active volunteer with Voices in Exile, an association that provides urgent and practical support and legal advice for refugees and migrants to the Sussex area of England.
Priya has a keen interest in personal injury law and a passion for oral advocacy. She initially joined Burn Tucker Lachaîne in July 2021 where Priya worked as a law clerk and later as an articling student. Priya was called to the bar in March 2024. Priya has joined our firm as an associate focusing on personal injury law and long-term disability. Priya brings a compassionate approach to working with clients and is committed to helping her clients find peaceful solutions to their legal disputes.
Priya is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Carleton County Law Association, the Advocacy Club, and the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. In her spare time, she can be found either hosting wine and cheese nights, trying new recipes in the kitchen, exploring Ottawa, and surrounding areas or reading on her couch. Priya is also fluent in Gujarati.
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Law Clerk
- Member of the Law Clerk Section of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Susan has been working as a law clerk since 1985 after graduating from Algonquin College. She is an experienced personal injury law clerk who works on all types of personal injury claims including slip and fall claims, motor vehicle collisions, disability claims and fatality claims. She also mentors and trains junior law clerks. Susan has been working with this personal injury team since 1997.
Susan is a member of the Law Clerk Section of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the Ottawa Association of Law Clerks. She has been a speaker at Algonquin College's Law Clerk Career Day and has presented at the Law Clerks section at the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association's conference.
Susan organizes the Ottawa effort for OTLA Helmets on Kids program, which Burn Tucker Lachaine has spearheaded since 2008. This program raises local funds for an annual distribution of bike helmets to elementary school students. Susan has also dedicated many years to working with youth through Scouts Canada.
Theresa obtained her Paralegal Diploma from Collège Boréal in Sudbury, Ontario in 2003. Since that time she has worked as an independent contractor and for law firms in northern Ontario. She joined the Burn Tucker Lachaîne personal injury team as a law clerk in 2021. She is also a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. Theresa brings her experience and skills in personal injury and civil litigation to the team, and prides herself on attention to detail and empathy in her dealings with clients. In her spare time Theresa greatly enjoys the outdoors. Hunting, fishing and camping are among her main hobbies. Spending time with family and friends is always her priority. If there's any time left, Theresa loves to tackle renovation projects and make things beautiful!
Born and raised in Ottawa, Téa recently joined the Burn Tucker Lachaîne team. Fully bilingual, Téa has a certificate degree in Community and Justice Services from Algonquin College. Her experience as a legal assistant at a criminal law firm in downtown Ottawa gave her a strong understanding of the justice system in Ontario.
With her dedication to customer service, Téa excels at creating strong bonds and putting clients at ease. Téa joined Burn Tucker Lachaîne in her quest to advance her career in the legal field, along with making it a priority to serve individuals in need of help.
Outside of the office, Téa enjoys health & fitness, listening to podcasts, reading and travelling.
Éliane Lachaîne
Partner
Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in civil litigation.
613-319-0627
elachaine@burntucker.com