BEARD WINTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Lawyer
- Member of Beard Winter 's Corporate Law
Agnes Ng is a member of Beard Winter's Corporate Law group and provides legal representation to clients on a wide variety of commercial and residential real estate and corporate commercial matters. Combining her interest in real estate with her corporate commercial experience, Agnes advises corporations and individuals on commercial and multi-family income real estate projects ranging from industrial, office, shopping centres, apartments, condominiums and single-family developments.
In her corporate practice, Agnes advises start-ups, emerging enterprises, established companies as well as troubled businesses seeking to avoid bankruptcy. Agnes also assists clients with incorporations, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and counsels clients on how to practically interpret and implement contractual, statutory, and regulatory requirements into their daily business operations.
Agnes holds a Master of Laws with a focus on international corporate commercial law, international intellectual property and international mergers and acquisitions. She has an unparalleled enthusiasm for the commercial markets, especially concerning the real estate industry whether it be local, regional or international.
Agnes has represented clients before the courts of Canada, United Kingdom and Hong Kong. While in Hong Kong, she worked at a top tier litigation firm with many of her projects focused on corporate commercial and civil litigation. In the United Kingdom, she assisted and provided legal advice to low-income individuals and families on matters relating to lease negotiations, property rental agreements and other landlord and tenant issues.
Outside of work, Agnes serves on the board of directors for the Toronto Standard Condominium Corporation 2009, a condominium located in downtown Toronto. Agnes is also a contributing writer for the Legal Alert and an active volunteer at Pro Bono Ontario and Access Pro Bono British Columbia.
Job Titles:
- Partner and Member of Beard Winter 's Insurance
- Partner Call to Bar
Alex Wilkinson is a partner and member of Beard Winter's Insurance Litigation group. Since 2013, Alex has represented domestic and international insurers in litigation across the province. He specializes in life and health claims, occupiers' liability, professional negligence, commercial and social host liability, and motor vehicle accident claims.
Alex's professional negligence practice focuses on errors and omissions, including defending matters on behalf of physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, as well as paralegals.
Alex also acts for a large school board and its employees, including principals, teachers and educational assistants, defending claims premised on negligent supervision, occupiers' liability, and other student safety concerns.
Alex was recognized by his peers in The Best Lawyers in Canada TM 2023 for his work in the practice area of personal injury litigation.
Alex obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa and his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University. Before that, Alex completed his undergraduate studies at the University of St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto.
Job Titles:
- Certified Specialist in Family Law
- Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
- Partner Call to Bar
Audrey Shecter is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and a partner at Beard Winter. She practices exclusively in the area of family law.
Audrey represents and assists clients on a wide range of matters such as parenting decision-making and parenting time, child support, spousal support, property division, cohabitation agreements and marriage contracts.
A highly skilled advocate, Audrey regularly and successfully appears before all levels of court in Ontario. She assists and supports her clients in achieving the best possible outcomes, whether in court, in mediations or in arbitrations.
Audrey's clients appreciate her straightforward and calm approach to demystifying and navigating the family law legal process and resolving conflict.
Audrey is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practising lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Audrey is recognized by Best Lawyers and Lexpert for her expertise in the practice area of family law.
She is a member of the Ontario Bar Association's Family Law Section, the Toronto Lawyers Association, the Advocates' Society, and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
She also acts as an advisor for the Law Society of Ontario's Coach and Advisor Network for lawyers and paralegals. Audrey strongly believes in giving back to the legal profession. She is one of Beard Winter's articling principals and acts as a mentor to junior lawyers at the firm and within the legal community.
Most importantly, Audrey is the proud mother of three adult children.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Lawyer
- Lawyer
Bonnie Clarke is an associate lawyer providing litigation representation to insurers, municipalities, school boards, and public and private sector organizations. She specializes in occupiers' liability, professional negligence, commercial and social host liability, sport and recreation liability, and motor vehicle accident claims.
In her professional negligence practice, Bonnie focuses on professional errors and omissions, including repairing and defending matters on behalf of lawyers.
Her sport and recreation liability practice involves the defence of resorts and organizations providing winter leisure activities in the province of Ontario. Bonnie also represents security companies, hotels and bars.
Bonnie was recognized by her peers as one of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada TM 2023 in the practice area of personal injury litigation.
Bonnie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from McGill. Bonnie also completed her Ontario Secondary School Teacher Training at OISE and applies her knowledge of the education sector in her legal practice.
Bonnie obtained her Juris Doctor from Western University where she graduated with Distinction.
Bonnie enjoys giving back to her local community and is the current chair of the board of directors of Shakespeare-in-the-Ruff, a not-for-profit theatre company based in the east end of Toronto.
Charles (Charlie) is a member of the Corporate/Commercial Group at Beard Winter LLP. Prior to his call to the Bar in 2020, he summered and articled with the firm.
Job Titles:
- Lawyer
- Member of the Wills, Trusts and Estates
Christina Kim is a member of the Wills, Trusts and Estates practice group at Beard Winter LLP. She previously articled with the firm. Christina advises clients on a variety of matters in estate planning, including Wills, continuing powers of attorney for property, powers of attorney for personal care, and estate administration.
Christina received her Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. While at law school, Christina was involved with Community Legal Aid where she assisted low-income clients on a variety of legal matters. During her time, she received the Samia Rose Shaheen Memorial Award for Legal Writing for her academic achievement in this area. In her final year, Christina attended a semester in the International Business LLM Program at Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 in Lyon, France.
Prior to law school, Christina received a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies from Western University.
When not practising law, Christina enjoys traveling and exploring cafes. Christina is fluent in Korean.
Colleen Arsenault is a partner at the firm who practises exclusively with the insurance group, dealing with tort matters encompassing disability benefits, motor vehicle accidents, property damage, occupier's liability matters, product liability, construction, CGL issues, coverage issues, subrogation and general bodily injury claims. A significant portion of her practice also deals with life and health disputes including STD, LTD, life insurance and critical illness policy issues. She has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal. Over the course of her career, she has conducted hundreds of Examinations for Discovery and mediations. She is a tireless advocate for her clients' interests and finds the personal relationship aspect of her practice to be both interesting and rewarding. She is a member of the Bar in both Ontario (2006) and Manitoba (2023).
Colleen is active at the firm having served on both the articling committee (sitting as Chair since 2018) and as an articling student principal for a number of years. She often speaks at legal conferences and volunteers her time as a mentor to new lawyers both inside and outside of the firm.
In her spare time, Colleen spends time at the cottage with her family. She loves scuba diving and is a certified Rescue Diver. She also enjoys travel, running, yoga and reading.
Damian is an associate lawyer with the firm. His broad practice includes both commercial and civil litigation matters. Damian previously articled with the firm.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner Call to Bar
Darrell is a partner at Beard Winter LLP. Darrell practises Insurance Defence Litigation and specializes in defending Insurers in all insurance defence matters.
David J. Wilson is a Partner of Beard Winter LLP and a member of its corporate commercial and finance group. Mr. Wilson counsels clients in a variety of corporate law matters.
Mr. Wilson has a broad-based corporate commercial practice in which he acts for a wide variety of businesses, advising them on mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, securities, corporate governance, risk management, commercial contracts, financial, employment and other matters. Business sectors include construction, land development, hotel and hospitality, retirement residences and communities, mining, transport and manufacturing.
In regards to commercial finance, Mr. Wilson has broad experience in structuring, negotiating and documenting commercial loan transactions, including senior and mezzanine financings, asset-based and cash flow credit facilities, acquisition financing, cross-border transactions and commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Wilson also acts as local Canadian counsel for various United States and other foreign lenders and their counsel.
Mr. Wilson is both a Province of Ontario lawyer and New York State qualified attorney.
Job Titles:
- Lawyer
- Member of the Commercial Litigation Group
David Morawetz is a member of the Commercial Litigation group at Beard Winter. David practices civil and commercial litigation with a focus on contract law, real estate disputes, construction law, including construction liens, breach of trust claims, and prompt payment adjudications, employment law, shareholder disputes, and appeal work. David works with clients to resolve disputes in a cost-efficient and effective manner. Prior to joining the firm, David practised at a boutique litigation firm in Vaughan and a mid-size firm in Toronto known for construction law and civil litigation.
David is intimately familiar with the litigation process. From client intake to trial and appeal and all steps in between. Clients seek out David for his ability to advise them on the most effective route to resolve their legal issues whether negotiated settlement or trial.
A passionate advocate, David has appeared at all levels of courts in Ontario including a precedent-setting case before the Court of Appeal for Ontario relating to a standard "illegal substances" clause used in most residential real estate contracts in Ontario.
Job Titles:
- Director, Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Administration Supervisor
Elisabeth has a broad insurance litigation practice. She has extensive experience acting for individuals, entities, and public sector organizations in bodily injury, accident benefits, professional liability, recreation & sport liability, tavern liability, commercial general liability, environmental, construction, subrogation, and coverage matters. She provides expert, cost-effective, and timely advice to her clients at every stage of the litigation process.
Elisabeth previously worked as in-house litigation counsel for one of Canada's largest insurers. Prior to going in-house, Elisabeth had a broad plaintiff-oriented civil litigation practice at a well-regarded litigation boutique. Her understanding of insurance litigation from a plaintiff's point of view is invaluable to her clients.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Lawyer
- Lawyer
Francesca D'Aquila-Kelly is an associate lawyer providing litigation representation to conservation authorities, municipalities, educational bodies, and various private sector organizations.
During her time at Windsor Law, Francesca prioritized extra-curricular endeavours to contribute to the experience and success of her colleagues. In particular, Francesca acted as student coordinator for the Peer Mentorship Program, where she oversaw over 350 program participants. Francesca continues to play a mentorship role at Beard Winter.
George is a partner at Beard Winter LLP.
George focuses his practice on the mid-market and entrepreneurial client. His corporate/commercial practise includes the sale and acquisition of businesses, corporate restructures, shareholder and partnership agreements, and general corporate advice regarding the numerous legal issues (eg. succession and estate planning, employment arrangements, supplier and customer contracts, commercial disputes and IP matters) that his clients face on a day to day basis. He also practises in the area of real estate with a focus on commercial real estate, including purchase and sales and lender financings.
Irena Djukic joined the Insurance Litigation group at Beard Winter LLP following her call to the Bar in 2022. She previously articled with the firm. Irena maintains a diverse civil litigation practice which includes personal injury, automobile tort claims, statutory accident benefits and occupier's liability claims.
Irena obtained her Juris Doctor from Western University. While in law school, she worked as a Research Assistant, served as Chair to the Western Law Wellness Committee and was an active volunteer with Pro Bono Students Canada. She received the Chief Justice Richard Wagner Award in recognition of her volunteer work and the J.S.D Tory Writing Prize for legal writing and research.
Prior to law school, Irena graduated with a Master of Social Work from York University and a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University).
In her spare time, Irena enjoys practising hot yoga, travelling and exploring coffee shops.
Job Titles:
- Lawyer
- Member of Beard Winter LLP 's Insurance Litigation Group
Jaclyn is a member of Beard Winter LLP's Insurance Litigation Group. She maintains a diverse insurance practice, which includes bodily injury (both auto and non-auto), statutory accident benefits, occupiers' liability, property damage, theft (both auto and non-auto), fire loss, commercial general liability, products liability, commercial host liability, coverage opinions and priority disputes.
Jamie specializes in jury trial work in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, as well as tort, subrogation, rail-related claims, product liability, coverage dispute litigation and commercial general liability cases. He has appeared as counsel in the Ontario Court of Appeal and before various administrative tribunals including the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).
Jamie is a former member of the executive of the Honourable Order of the Blue Goose of the Ontario Pond. He is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, The Advocates' Society and the Canadian Defence Lawyers. Jamie is frequently asked to speak at insurance industry conferences and he routinely provides seminars to clients on practice-related issues.
James (Jamie) Dunn is a partner at Beard Winter LLP and a member of the firm's Insurance Litigation group. Jamie has enjoyed a long and distinguished legal career in the field of insurance defence litigation and is a nationally recognized and highly regarded litigator.
Jillian's insurance defence practice focuses on professional errors and omissions, including repairing and defending matters on behalf of lawyers. She has also acted on behalf of property/casualty insurers in the defence of tort and accident benefits claims, including acting on behalf of accident benefits insurers in loss transfer and priority disputes between insurers. She has many appearances and reported decisions in the Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court and Court of Appeal.
John A. Olah practises Civil Litigation. He specializes in complex tort litigation ranging from cases involving product liability, a wide variety of sports cases and the liability of hotels, resorts and bars. He is involved in private international law cases, complex environmental law litigation, as well as business litigation matters. John is the recipient of the 2020 Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Insurance Law. John has appeared at all levels of courts, often appears at the Court of Appeal for the Province of Ontario and has argued several cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, The Advocates' Society, the Canadian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA) (by invitation) and the International Association of Defense Counsel (by invitation). John is the author of a number of articles on civil litigation and criminal law. He has lectured extensively across Canada and in the United States on trial advocacy. He also taught advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is the author of The Art and Science of Advocacy, a two-volume textbook for lawyers on trial tactics and trial procedure.
Julian is a partner in our business acquisitions and dispositions and securities and corporate governance groups. He has built his practice by advising clients on a broad range of corporate/commercial legal issues by thinking outside the box to solve specific client challenges. Clients select Julian for his responsiveness, cost-effective counsel and creativity.
Julian provides counsel on a variety of transactions as well as day-to-day activities for a wide range of clients including technology companies, service providers, manufacturers, merchant banks and others, many of which are leaders in their respective fields.
Job Titles:
- Director, Finance & Administration
Job Titles:
- Lawyer Call to Bar
- Member of the Insurance Litigation Group
Kendall Andjelkovic is a member of the Insurance Litigation group at Beard Winter LLP. She previously summered and articled with the firm.
Her broad practice includes both commercial litigation and insurance litigation. She maintains a diverse practice defending various insurance law disputes, including personal injury, product liability, recreational liability claims, property/environmental damage, commercial general liability, fire loss, and winter maintenance. She also has experience representing clients in administrative law disputes in the context of environmental and regulatory matters.
As a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Kendall was actively involved in the student community receiving a Dean's Gold Key Award for her contributions which included acting as co-chair of Orientation Week, president of the Mooting Society, and director of events for the Entertainment & Sports Law Association. She also took part in a number of national and international moots including the Gale Cup and the Nuremberg Moot Court where she competed in Nuremberg, Germany.
Prior to attending law school, Kendall received her Bachelor of Arts in criminology from Vancouver Island University.
In her spare time, Kendall enjoys playing flag football and baking. She is also actively involved in fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis Canada through the Lawn Summer Nights organization.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Information Technology
Lauren is a partner at Beard Winter LLP and a member of the firm's Insurance Litigation group. Lauren began her practice in insurance defence litigation in 2000 upon her call to the bar.
She continues to practice in the insurance defence field and has focused her practice on motor vehicle accident cases, nursing home litigation, institutional sexual liability and occupiers' liability disputes.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner Call to Bar
Loretta De Thomasis is a partner who has practised exclusively in insurance defence litigation since her call to the bar in 2013. She specializes in several types of negligence and personal injury claims. Loretta is particularly interested in assisting clients in defending occupiers' liability claims, motor vehicle accident claims, property damage disputes, commercial and social host liability, accident benefits claims, priority disputes, and loss transfer matters. Her practice focuses on providing representation to insurers, school boards, and condominium corporations.
Loretta obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in criminology, with a minor in Italian and Political Science from the University of Toronto (St. Michael's College). She obtained her JD from Osgoode Hall.
Loretta has successfully represented her clients before the Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court. She also regularly represents insurers at the License Appeal Tribunal.
Loretta enjoys travelling and spending time with her family including her two young sons. She speaks Italian and is conversational in French.
Mark Birdsell is a partner at Beard Winter and a member of the firm's Insurance Litigation group. Mark received his JD from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2009. He was called to the bar in New York in 2010 and in Ontario in 2011. Since then, Mark has been working in insurance litigation. Prior to joining Beard Winter, Mark practised at a boutique insurance litigation firm in Toronto.
Matthew Samuels joined Beard Winter's insurance litigation group in 2022 after articling at a prominent Toronto insurance defence boutique, providing services to several of Canada's top insurance firms. He maintains a practice defending myriad insurance law disputes, including personal injury, occupier's liability, product liability and property damage.
Matthew completed his LL.B at the University of York and subsequently completed an LL.M at Osgoode Hall Law School. During law school, Matthew competed in various negotiation competitions, and was a founding member of both careerinlaw.net and the University of York Law's Climate Justice Pledge chapter - all while representing the school on its soccer team.
Prior to attending law school, Matthew obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Western University.
Job Titles:
- Insurance Defence Litigation Partner
- Partner Call to Bar
Michael P. Canning is an experienced insurance defence litigation partner at Beard Winter LLP. His expertise ranges from bodily injury, products liability, and construction deficiency, to property and fire losses, and professional liability over his practice life of more than 30 years.
Over the past two decades, in particular, Michael has focused increasing amounts of his practice in the areas of life and health claims with an emphasis on long-term and short-term disability policies, as well as critical illness, life, health and travel insurance. This includes all types of individual, group, and administrative services only (ASO) claims for an ever-widening spectrum of insurers. He currently heads up the Life and Health team at the firm.
Michael has also embarked, in the last several years, utilizing his litigation and settlement experience in the area of mediation. He acts in the capacity of mediator for dispute resolution in all of the areas of practice that are outlined above, with increasing emphasis on the resolution of life and health claims.
Peter Silverberg has provided effective and comprehensive legal services to a wide range of clients including individuals, corporations and not-for-profit companies. Peter's law practice focuses primarily on the areas of real estate, corporate/commercial and wills and estates.
Peter routinely acts on behalf of commercial real estate lenders and mid-market organizations with respect to all aspects of commercial law including mergers and acquisitions, shareholder and partnership agreements, directors' liability, business reorganizations and debt and equity financing transactions.
Job Titles:
- Lawyer Call to Bar
- Member of Beard Winter 's Insurance Litigation
Neelofar Haseeb is a member of Beard Winter's Insurance Litigation group. Her diverse practice includes commercial general liability, professional negligence, subrogation claims, personal injury, product liability, property damage, fire loss and occupier's liability.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Hellenic Canadian Law Association
- Partner Call to Bar
Nick Dimitropoulos is a seasoned commercial real estate lawyer specializing in a broad range of commercial real property financing, acquisitions, dispositions and leasing.
Prior to joining Beard Winter in 2019, Nick worked at a boutique business law firm in Toronto.
Nick is a member of the Hellenic Canadian Law Association and the Ontario Bar Association.
Oliver joined the Insurance Litigation group in 2020. He practises insurance defence litigation with an emphasis on statutory accident benefits claims, personal injury, motor vehicle accident claims, occupier's liability claims, priority disputes, and loss transfer. He regularly appears at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). Prior to joining Beard Winter LLP, Oliver was an in-house lawyer with one of Canada's largest insurers.
Job Titles:
- Lawyer Call to Bar
- Member of the Firm
Pearce is a member of the firm's Corporate Commercial Group. He is building a diverse practice in corporate, commercial and transactional matters with a focus on the mid-market and entrepreneurial client.
Penny Georgoudis is a highly successful civil litigator with more than 30 years of experience. Penny has acted on behalf of plaintiffs as well as numerous insurers, municipalities, and public and private sector organizations throughout Ontario. Her practice includes tort and negligence claims, sexual abuse claims, property and casualty, product liability, coverage issues, commercial insurance, professional liability, professional errors and omissions, professional negligence, and general liability claims.
Penny was recognized by her peers in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2023 and the 2023 edition of the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for her expertise in the practice areas of insurance law and personal injury litigation.
Penny is a qualified mediator through her training at the Canadian Dispute Resolution Corporation, the Advanced Mediation Workshop at Osgoode Hall Law School, at York University, and the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Ontario. Penny has strong relationships within the personal injury bar, both plaintiff and defence, as well as the insurance community making her extremely sought out for her mediation services.
The focus of Penny's mediation practice currently includes personal injury, sexual abuse claims, occupiers' liability, multi-party/complex claims, property and subrogation (fire losses, construction claims, product liability claims), long-term disability, as well as employment claims (wrongful dismissal).
Peter is a partner at Beard Winter LLP and practises largely in the area of insurance defence litigation, with an emphasis in the areas of third party tort claims and related coverage matters, first party Statutory Accident Benefits claims (including loss transfer and priority matters), property/commercial general liability claims (including coverage and subrogation), E & O claims (including Director/Officer liability and professional negligence) and product liability claims.
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant ( Corporate )
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- the Construction Lien, a Tool to Help You Get Paid and a Tool to Protect Owners
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Administration