DAVIDSON HOULE ALLEN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant / Reception
Bio
Christy is one of the founding partners of Davidson Houle Allen LLP.
She provides a full range of corporate and litigation services to condominium directors, managers, owners, and insurers. She also represents co-tenancy associations, and gives advice with respect to co-tenancies' governing documents.
Christy's work includes building deficiency actions, proceedings involving difficult owners and tenants, collection and lien proceedings, including power of sale, as well as matters involving the enforcement of property rights. She also has extensive experience with the Tarion Warranty process (including Appeals of Tarion's conciliation decisions) and is actively involved with the Tarion Subcommittee to the Canadian Condominium Institute. She has appeared on behalf of her clients before the Superior Court of Justice (including the Small Claims Court), the Ontario Court of Appeal, and various administrative tribunals.
Christy is compassionate and personable. She enjoys finding solutions for people, given their circumstances, and doing so in an efficient and practical manner. She relishes the challenge of having a new problem to solve, and developing creative ways to tackle it. Most rewarding of all for Christy is the opportunity to have a direct impact on her clients' lives.
Christy's number one priority outside of work is her family. She also enjoys hiking, skiing, and playing soccer, which she has done from a very young age.
Education
B.Comm., Dalhousie University (2000)
LL.B., Queen's University (2003)
Bio
Jessica is an associate lawyer with Davidson Houle Allen LLP. Prior to joining Davidson Houle Allen LLP in 2018, Jessica practiced with a boutique condominium law firm in Toronto.
In her practice, Jessica advises clients on all facets of condominium law including corporate governance, compliance matters, drafting and interpretation of by-laws, rules, Amendments to the Declaration, shared facilities agreements and any other documents necessary for the successful governance of the condominium. She enjoys finding practical solutions for her clients and working with them to build stronger and more amicable condominium communities.
Jessica received her J.D. from Queen's University, where she graduated on the Dean's List. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Queen's University in Global Development Studies and Political Science. During law school, Jessica was a Project Lead for Pro Bono Students Canada and acted as representative on the Queen's Law Students Society Council. She spent a semester of her final year studying at the National University of Singapore, Faculty of Law.
Outside of the office, Jessica enjoys travelling, reading and trying out new restaurants.
Education
2011 Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Queen's University
2014 J.D., Queen's University
Bio
Melinda Andrews is an associate lawyer with Davidson Houle Allen LLP.
She provides a full range of services, including general corporate advice to condominium corporations, financing and secured transactions, and building deficiency litigation. Melinda maintains a detail oriented approach to the practice of law while ensuring effective and client-focused advocacy. She has appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal, Superior Court of Justice, Provincial Offences Court, and Small Claims Court.
Melinda received her J.D. from the University of Ottawa. During law school, she worked as the research assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, updating and rewriting a book chapter on constitutional law. Melinda also interned at the Specific Claims Tribunal in Ottawa for two years, providing assistance to the adjudicative branch. In her last year, Melinda participated in the Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Moot.
Melinda's background is in civil litigation and administrative law. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a historical researcher at a boutique law firm in Calgary, providing research and litigation support to Indigenous Nations in Northern British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. She is passionate about social justice issues and focuses her volunteer time to advocate for the rights of others.
Outside of the office, Melinda maintains a busy lifestyle. She likes travelling, trying new restaurants and spending time with friends, as well as swimming and fishing.
Education
B.A. in Historical Studies, University of Calgary (2004)
J.D., University of Ottawa (2014)
Bio
After recently completing his articling term with the firm, Mitchell returns to Davidson Houle Allen LLP as our junior associate lawyer. Mitchell is eager to advocate for clients on a wide variety of condominium law issues, particularly litigation matters.
Mitchell obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Ottawa, where he also obtained his Bachelor of Social Sciences.
Prior to law school, Mitchell worked as a legal assistant at a New York City personal injury/medical malpractice firm. Throughout his time in New York, Mitchell worked intimately on litigation files, and shadowed senior lawyers at numerous trials.
During law school, Mitchell interned with a consultancy specializing in international development. He also volunteered as a social media coordinator for ‘StreetSmart Advocacy', a law-student run organization that aims to teach marginalized youth about their legal rights in a variety of areas.
When he's not in the office, Mitchell enjoys spending time with his dog, playing golf, and attending local music events. He also enjoys travelling, and is an avid hockey and baseball fan.
Education
BSocSc in Communication and Political Science (Joint Honours), Cum Laude, University of Ottawa (2017)
J.D., University of Ottawa (2022)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Founding Partner at Davidson Houle Allen LLP
Bio
Nancy Houle is a founding partner at Davidson Houle Allen LLP. She has practiced exclusively in the area of condominium and joint-property ownership law since being called to the Bar in 2002. Her practice includes general corporate advice to condominium corporations, financing and secured transactions, building deficiency litigation, and proceedings involving disputes between condominium corporations and residents.
Nancy has published articles in CondoContact, Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO), CondoBusiness Magazine as well as other online publications. She is also a frequent guest lecturer at Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) Seminars, including the Annual Directors Course and joint ACMO/CCI Conferences, both provincially and nationally. Nancy has also been a guest on various local, and nationally syndicated, radio and television shows including Ottawa Morning on CBC Radio and CBC Television.
Nancy has also participated extensively in the process for revision of the Condominium Act, 1998, through her role as President of CCI Eastern Ontario, former co-chair of the Constitution Committee for CCI National, and on the legislative review committee for ACMO/CCI. She has also been invited by the Ontario Ministry to participate in discussions on the proposed revisions and regulations before and after public release and consultation. The participate will also continue as the current CCI-National Chair of Government Relations. Nancy enjoys connecting with people, and finding ways to make a genuine difference to the lives of individuals, groups, and communities. One of her key strengths is being able to run smooth and effective meetings, leading the way to a practical resolution. Part of this is due to her sense of humour and ability to lighten the mood, even when a tough message needs to be delivered.
Growing up in a military family, Nancy spent her formative years living overseas, and now loves travelling to different parts of the world. Her labour of love is her home near the Gatineau Hills. Consequently, Nancy and her family spend as much time as possible enjoying the country and the outdoors: skiing in winter, and swimming in the summer - or following her son around the golf course.
Education
B.A (Honours) Psychology, Queen's University (1997)
LL.B., Queen's University (2000)
Our lawyers are all members of CCI's Eastern Ontario Chapter. Nancy Houle has been on the CCIEO Board for over a decade (Nancy has been President of CCIEO for the past several years). Nancy is also active on various committees for CCI National and CCI Ontario. Jim Davidson is a former Director of CCI Ottawa (as it then was) and CCI National, and is the author of Condo Cases Across Canada, which is published quarterly by CCI National. Our lawyers are also frequent speakers at CCI seminars, conferences and courses, including CCI's annual Directors' Course.
Bio
Nicole is a law clerk and legal assistant at Davidson Houle Allen LLP.
Nicole Spence joined Davidson Houle Allen LLP in May of 2019. Prior to this she has worked as a law clerk in a family law office, and as a licenced paralegal in a criminal law firm. At the criminal firm her practice mostly focused on assisting clients charged under the Highway Traffic Act. After dipping her toes in a few different areas of law she decided to dive right into the unique area of condominium law.
Nicole is a licenced paralegal with the Law Society of Ontario, and a member of the Law Clerk and Paralegal Advisory Committee at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario. She graduated the duel diploma law clerk and paralegal program from Fleming College with a 4.0 GPA in 2013 and has been a member of their academic advisory committee for both programs since graduation. She thoroughly enjoys her role on the committee, as it allows her to provide insight from the industry and ensure new graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the legal field.
Although, Nicole's current role is the lien/power of sale law clerk, she is always looking to expand her practice as a paralegal. She has a passion for litigation so you may see her in the Small Claims Court, or online on the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT).
When Nicole is not working, she is either out catching live music, going for a hike, or inside curled up with her two cats and her Nintendo Switch.
Education
2013 Law Clerk Diploma Fleming College
2013 Paralegal Diploma Fleming College
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Support Staff Member