VELOCITY INJURY LAW - Key Persons
Colleen Girard has been a legal assistant since 1984, working in the areas of plaintiff and defence personal injury litigation, as well as commercial litigation. She has received her Certificate of Completion from the Brain Basics Program and is a Certified Commissioner for Taking Affidavits. Colleen is currently working alongside Ruth Stewart as a senior law clerk.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada
- President of the Brain Injury Association of Windsor / Essex
- Secretary of the "Beyond Disabilities Rehabilitation Network
Melanie Gardin was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002 and is exclusively practicing in the area of serious and catastrophic personal injury. This encompasses injuries of all kinds such as: motor vehicle accidents involving a car, motorcycle, bicycle, e-bike and ATV; slip/trip and falls; assaults; wrongful death and nursing home negligence. Melanie also handles ODSP and CPP Disability Appeals as well as Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Appeals and litigation.
Melanie is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, Southwest Region Women's Law Association, 100 Women Who Care Windsor/Essex and Influential Women of Windsor.
Melanie is the current President of the Brain Injury Association of Windsor/Essex (BIAWE), a position she has held since 2008. BIAWE is affiliated with the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA). Melanie was Co-Chair of the Ontario Brain Injury Advisory Council (OAC) and a Director of the Ontario Brain Injury Association for 2 terms from 2009-2013. She was awarded "Volunteer of the Year Award" by OBIA on June 21, 2014, for her outstanding support of individuals living with the effect of brain injury.
Melanie is the Secretary of the "Beyond Disabilities Rehabilitation Network" which is a charity that supports people in our community with chronic disabilities.
In 2011, Melanie was awarded the "Odyssey Award" by the University of Windsor Alumni Association. This award recognizes alumni who are in the early years of their career path, having distinguished themselves through successes in career endeavors, notable achievements in their local community or the University of Windsor, or through a significant or innovative achievement in their professional or personal life.
Job Titles:
- Member in Good Standing With the Essex Law Association
Ruth Stewart was born and raised in Essex County. She was called to the bar in 1992. Early in her legal career, Ruth represented insurance companies and also acted as a Special Prosecutor for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Her practice now focuses exclusively on representing injured people, including those injured in motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and by product defects. Ruth also handles short and long term disability claims and statutory accident benefits.
Ruth is very committed to her clients and the successful resolution of their claims. Ruth has extensive experience in claims for Statutory Accident Benefits from both the insurer's and plaintiff's perspective. She represents numerous plaintiffs catastrophically injured by motor vehicle accidents.
Over the years, Ruth has appeared as counsel at various court levels, including the Superior Court of Ontario through to the Federal Court of Canada. Ruth also appeared as counsel at a lengthy Coroner's inquest. The inquest resulted in legislative changes in the Province of Ontario dealing with workplace harassment and violence.
Ruth is an active member of the community. She has been involved with many local charities in Windsor and Essex County. Since the 1990s she has served on the Board of Directors of "Maryvale", a local adolescent and family services facility treating children with mental health issues. Ruth is one of the Board's past Presidents.
Ruth is a member in good standing with the Essex Law Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Trial Lawyers' Association and the Windsor Essex Circle.