GGFI LAW - Key Persons
Amanda joined the GGFI team as an associate in 2019. Maintaining a civil litigation practice, she skillfully assists clients with employment, estate, construction and commercial disputes. Amanda has advocated for clients at Small Claims Court, the Ontario Court of Justice, and the Superior Court of Justice, as well as at various administrative tribunals.
Amanda graduated from Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law in 2017. While at law school, she completed a semester at the Dalhousie Legal Aid Clinic, advocating on behalf of low-income clients at various courts in Nova Scotia, and volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada.
Prior to law school, Amanda graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Sociology and Business, and is happy to return to the KW area.
Amanda lives in Kitchener and is an active member of her community, including sitting on the Board of Directors for Shalom Counselling Services. Outside of the office, Amanda enjoys live music and theatre, travelling, and attempting to hone her green thumb.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canadian Bar Association
Carly was pleased to join Giesbrecht, Griffin, Funk & Irvine as an associate lawyer in 2020, after working with the GGFI team as both a summer student and an articling student during the course of her legal studies. Carly practices in the areas of family law, real estate, estate planning, civil litigation, and fertility law.
Carly received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from the University of Toronto in 2016, specializing in political science, religion, and women and gender studies, and graduating with high distinction. Carly then received the degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law in 2019, graduating magna cum laude.
While at law school, Carly participated in the Nelligan O'Brien Payne Moot Court Competition, and was an active member of the Women's Legal Mentorship Program. She also volunteered with the National Council of Canadian Muslims through Pro Bono Students Canada, to provide legal support to individuals facing discrimination. She was awarded the Stikeman Elliott LLP Scholarship and the Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Scholarship, for her academic excellence.
During the course of her articles, Carly volunteered with the Mennonite Central Committee of Canada, Refugee Division, to offer advice and support to individuals seeking refugee status in Canada.
Carly is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Waterloo Law Association, and the K-W Business Women's Association. In her spare time, you will likely find Carly reading a good book, exploring KW's many shops and restaurants, or spending time with family.
David has been an active board member on various charity and not-for-profit boards, including his church and various registered charities which are active locally and internationally.
David is married and has three adult children and is a proud grandfather. He enjoys boating, motorcycling and has coached minor sports. The Amy clan are known for their hospitality, which in no small part has been impacted by David's belief in investing in the lives of others.
Gurminder joined GGFI as an Articling Student and returned to the firm as an Associate after his call to the bar. Gurminder prides himself on working diligently to provide the firm's clients with an excellent, service-oriented approach, while delivering simple solutions to complex legal matters.
Gurminder's practice is focused on Corporate-Commercial law and also includes Real Estate and Wills, Trusts and Estates. The Corporate-Commercial area of Gurminder's practice involves assisting clients with a wide variety of matters, including purchases and sales of businesses; corporate reorganizations; shareholder, partnership and limited partnership agreements; employment and contractor agreements; licensing; franchising; and helping medical professionals and other professional corporations with these matters and more.
Gurminder obtained his LL.B with distinction before completing two Masters of Laws, including one in International Business Law.
Gurminder was born and raised in Toronto, but now proudly calls the Kitchener-Waterloo area his home, along with his wife and two sons. Gurminder is an active member of the local community; currently serving on the board of directors for Bridges to Belonging and the Woolwich Community Health Centre, and as a legal mentor for Reep Green Solutions. Gurminder is also a member of the Elmira Kiwanis Club and volunteers on the Canadian Bar Association's Mortgage Instructions Subcommittee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Waterloo Region Law Association
Jason received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2016. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Leicester in 2019. Upon returning to Canada, Jason then received his Master of Laws (LL.M) from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2020.
Jason was called to the bar in 2022 and commenced his career at a well-respected general practice Law Firm in Brantford, Ontario. His extensive experience in a variety of different fields of law, including civil litigation, real estate, family law and commercial law, has provided him with a diverse background which allows him to provide creative and adequate solutions to fit the individual needs of clients.
Jason joined GGFI Law in 2024 and focuses his practice on all aspects of civil litigation, in addition to residential and commercial real estate. Jason prides himself on being approachable and providing clients with appropriate and sound legal advice; and further, being able to fully explain the applicable law in the most uncomplicated possible fashion. Additionally, Jason understands that client needs may vary and strives to not only provide outstanding legal advice, but also outstanding service in a kind and efficient manner.
Jason is a member of the Waterloo Region Law Association and a Director of the Brant Law Association.
While studying at the University of Leicester, Jason was the Head Coach of the Men's Basketball team and continues to have an interest in coaching. In his spare time, Jason enjoys watching basketball and football, playing fantasy sports, golfing in the summer and spending time with friends and family.
John has been practising law for over 35 years. After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1977 he attended the University of Western Ontario where he graduated from the joint MBA LLB program in 1982. In 1989 he went into a practice with Reginald Haney and Mary Anne Haney and has more recently joined GGFI in July, 2019. His practice is involved primarily in corporate, wills and estate administration matters.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Collaborative Practice of Waterloo Region
Joe works with each individual to understand their goals and objectives, thoroughly review all options and help them arrive at an approach which is most suitable to the circumstances of the client and his or her family.
Most family law cases do not need to go to court. Joe has extensive experience with alternative methods of dispute resolution such as Collaborative Family Law, mediation and mediation-arbitration which can serve to keep costs down and preserve a degree of civility. He is also an effective and tenacious courtroom advocate who has successfully appeared before all levels of court in Ontario in furtherance of his client's objectives.
Joe is a member of the Collaborative Practice of Waterloo Region (Best4All), the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Advocates' Society and the Waterloo Region Law Association.
Joe is a former director of HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre and Victim Services of Waterloo Region. He resides in Waterloo with his wife, children and Wheaten Terrier.
Joe studied law at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and obtained an honours undergraduate degree from Huron College, Western University in London, Ontario. After working abroad, he was pleased to return to Waterloo Region, where he was raised, in 2000 to commence his articling and law practice.
Mark is a partner with GGFI and leads the firm's litigation department. Mark maintains a civil litigation practice and represents clients in a broad range of areas, including employment (employer and employee), estate disputes, construction liens, defamation and commercial disputes including franchise litigation. Mark has successfully represented clients before the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, as well as other levels of Court, administrative tribunals and in mediation and arbitration. A dedicated advocate for his clients, Mark is focused on crafting practical solutions to even the most complex of litigation matters.
In addition to his litigation practice, Mark acts for franchisors in establishing franchise systems, crafting disclosure documents and franchise agreements and enforcing rights under franchise agreements.
Mark continues to assist clients with residential real estate transactions.
Mark received the degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law in 2009. While in law school, Mark gained experience assisting low-income individuals at the Downtown Legal Services community law clinic. Mark also volunteered with the University's legal journal, the Faculty of Law Review. Mark is a graduate of the University of Guelph, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours, majoring in economics with a minor in history.
A member of the GGFI team since 2008, Mark was pleased to join the partnership in 2016. He is the chair of the Sunnyside Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, Waterloo Law Association and Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. Mark has given talks before a number of community organizations on various subjects in law.
Mark lives in Breslau with his wife, daughter and son. While he is out of the office, you may find Mark honing his photography skills or taking in a local stand-up comedy show.
Nigel received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from McMaster University in 2013 with a major in Classics and an interdisciplinary minor in Archaeology. Nigel then attended at Western Law and graduated in 2020. Upon graduation, Nigel articled and practised law with full-service law firms in the Hamilton region.
Nigel joined the GGFI team as an associate in 2023. Nigel's practice focuses primarily on the areas of real estate, land development, and corporate/commercial law.
Nigel is a member of the Waterloo Region Law Association.
In his spare time Nigel enjoys good cinema, reading and writing, and scenic walks with his wife.
Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, Sheau Lih proudly comes from a family of Chinese-Lao-Canadian refugees. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Waterloo before obtaining her JD from Osgoode Hall Law School. During her time at Osgoode Hall, Sheau Lih participated in the Disability Law Intensive Program. She completed a placement at ARCH Disability Law Centre, where she provided summary legal advice and representation to persons with disabilities requiring legal assistance or advocacy support.
Since her call to the bar in 2018, Sheau Lih has dedicated her career to helping newcomers navigate Canada's complex and everchanging immigration and refugee systems. Her clients have consisted of refugees, temporary residents (including students, visitors, and foreign workers), prospective immigrants, employers, and out-of-status individuals. She has appeared before the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court. Sheau Lih is dedicated to advocating for access to justice and is an ally of the LGBTQ2S+ and BIPOC communities. She is committed to providing a safe and accommodating space for all her clients.
Sheau Lih grew up in a four-generation household. In addition to English, she speaks Lao and Thai Isaan. She is also working to improve her Mandarin and Spanish language skills. In her free time, Sheau Lih enjoys playing badminton, karaoke, gaming (League and WoW), and playing with her cat (Lemon).
Steve grew up in the New Hamburg area, where he currently resides with his family.
Prior to obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario in 1986, Steve studied at the University of Waterloo for two years. Steve graduated from the University of Western Ontario faculty of law in 1989 and was called to the bar in March of 1991, at which time he joined the firm of Giesbrecht, Griffin, as it was then known.
Although Steve serves a wide variety of clients, his principal practice areas are real estate, estates and estate planning, and corporate and commercial law for a variety of businesses, including professionals. His knowledge and expertise in these areas is supported by his significant experience in the area of civil litigation. He has represented clients in the various levels of Court in Ontario, including the Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Warren has been practising law for over thirty-eight years in Kitchener-Waterloo. After completing his B.Sc. in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo, he then attended The University of Western Ontario, completing his law degree in 1981. Upon his call to the bar in 1983, Warren joined Ted Giesbrecht in his practice.
Warren's practice has been primarily in the areas of corporate and commercial law, wills and estates, and real estate. He provides advice to both start-ups as well as existing corporate clients. He has worked with charitable organizations in their formation as well as on an ongoing basis.
Warren has been a board member of various charities in the K-W area including the Centre in the Square, Sunnyside Home Foundation, Hope Story and The Waterloo Region Dream Centre. Warren is presently on the Board of Directors of Ray of Hope and on the Leadership Team of Nexus Church in Kitchener. Warren has taught law courses to business and accounting students at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo as well as being a part of a team of instructors for a project management certification course.
Warren is married and has two adult children and is a proud grandfather. He enjoys skiing, snowboarding and cycling and has coached minor sports. Warren's active involvement in ministries at his church is a source of great joy and adds a wonderful balance to his life. He and his wife enjoy travel and the experiences associated with visiting new and exciting areas, often trying to combine travel with their other interests.
David attended Wilfrid Laurier University and obtained his B.A. in the Business Administration program. He then went on to attend Osgoode Law School at York University to acquire his law degree. Before joining GGFI Law David was practising law for over 45 years at his law firm of Amy, Appleby & Brennan LLP located in Waterloo.
Both David, and his former partner, Bill Appleby, are excited to continue to serve their existing clients and new clients as associate lawyers at GGFI
David represents and advises a significant number of registered charities and not-for-profit corporations in many areas such as incorporation, corporate governance and by-law development, foreign programming and charitable registrations. His clients include faith-based organizations, academic institutions, and social service and cultural organizations.
He also acts for a wide range of corporate and commercial clients, providing advice on incorporations, corporate reorganizations, the purchase and sale of businesses, as well as shareholder, partnership, and joint venture agreements.
David also provides his clients with Residential and Commercial Real Estate expertise.
Through his Wills and Estates practice, David works with clients to put their minds at ease about important decisions that impact their legacy and care at the end of their lives.
Bill has been practising law for over 45 years in Kitchener-Waterloo. After completing his B.A. in History/Political Science at the University of Waterloo he then attended the University of Windsor, Ontario, completing his law degree in 1975. Upon his call to the bar in 1977, Bill joined David Amy and Peter Brennan, forming the law firm of Amy, Appleby & Brennan (AAB) in Waterloo.
Bill's practice has been primarily in the areas of real estate, wills and estates, municipal law, commercial/contractual and estate litigation. He has also worked with many corporate clients in their formation as well as on an ongoing basis, including commercial purchases and commercial landlord and tenant work. Bill is excited to continue to serve his existing clients and new clients as a lawyer at GGFI.
Bill is married and has three adult children. He is a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoys golf and now has more time to play since he is no longer coaching AAA baseball. Bill and his wife enjoy travel and hope to visit many new and exciting places in the years to come.