VIRGIN LAW - Key Persons
Amy Allinson joined the Virgin Law Group team in 2011 as a legal assistant, working her way up and completing her paralegal studies at Capilano University in 2016. She has been working in a paralegal role since 2017, supporting numerous counsel at varying levels of expertise. Amy is now an intermediate paralegal who specializes in the area of insurance defence litigation for various clients, including engagement on highly complex matters and work for the Department of Justice.
Prior to joining Virgin Law Group, she has worked in the areas of general civil litigation, insurance defence litigation and family law starting in 2009. Amy's strengths include efficiency, a proactive mindset, high attention to detail and a true dedication to her team. She maintains a pleasant and professional dialogue with the firm's clients and opposing firms, and is best known for her positive, approachable and encouraging disposition with her colleagues. Outside of her professional endeavors, Amy loves spending time with her family, dog and close friends. She also enjoys camping, long walks, yoga/mediation, spin classes, live music and spending time outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Designated Paralegal & Manager
Andrea Abbinante joined Virgin Law Group in 2010. She is a Designated Paralegal and Manager with the firm, currently practicing in the areas of personal injury, ICBC and other insurance defence, and general litigation. Her litigation experience has spanned a wide range of practice areas which also includes commercial and contract disputes, employment law, construction, mining and builders' liens, medical and dental malpractice, product liability, class action suits, and tribunal work.
On February 8, 2022, Andrea was accepted into the Law Society of B.C.'s Innovation Sandbox, permitting her to provide personal injury law services offered through Virgin Law Group, including advice, negotiating claims with ICBC including representing clients in accessing their Enhanced Care Benefits, representation for matters before the Civil Resolution Tribunal, legal research, drafting documents, legal coaching and representation for matters before tribunals and court.
Andrea believes that client satisfaction and high ethical standards are paramount in managing litigation matters. Throughout her career, Andrea has dedicated many hours to mentoring and training others in the litigation field, and to developing firm procedures, precedents, and resources. Andrea approaches her law firm management role with a team-oriented, empathetic approach, always seeking excellence, and infusing a dose of humour, whenever possible. Andrea is a Certified Professional Legal Coach, and long-standing member of the BC Paralegal Association. As well, Andrea has presented at TLABC and CLEBC conferences.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Counsel
- Principal
Cal is a life-long learner and educator. In just the past five years, he has spoken twice at the annual Insight Information Conference on Disability Claims Management, twice for the Canadian Defence Lawyers on expert evidence, and twice for the Continuing Legal Education Society (on limitation periods and real estate litigation matters).
Cal is also the author of a chapter on interpretation of insurance policies in the text Business Interruption Insurance, 2nd edition (editors John Siegel, Sean Gosnell, and Bruce Webster), Canada Law Book Inc., 2006.
Job Titles:
- ASSISTANT
- ASSISTANT ( Including Mediation Bookings )
Job Titles:
- Designated Paralegal & Manager
Hardip joined Virgin Law Group in 2006. He is a Designated Paralegal and Manager. He works with the principal, Mark V.C. Virgin, on claims involving highly complex legal issues. He has considerable experience in personal injury, insurance defence, including, property damage and underinsured claims, and general litigation. He has practiced in construction law, employment and labour law. As a paralegal he has served three major provincial crown corporation insurers, a private insurer and a union. He strives to achieve phenomenal results for clients.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Canadian Bar Association
Heather has been a member of the Canadian Bar Association since commencing law school in 2006. She has served on the executive of the Young Lawyers Vancouver Section, as part of the CBA Legislation and Law Reform Committee and is currently a Provincial Council Vancouver County Representative.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Lawyer and Mediator
- Principal / Lawyer / Mediator
Jonathan Hodes is a lawyer and mediator with over 25 years of experience practicing law in British Columbia. He provides practical and cost-effective advice to insurers, brokers and other clients located in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. His practice involves the defence of claims brought under all types of insurance policies, including:
Job Titles:
- Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Job Titles:
- Designated Paralegal to Heather Mathison
- Paralegal
Job Titles:
- in 2014 As a Legal Administrative Assistant
- Paralegal
Michelle joined Virgin Law Group in 2014 as a legal administrative assistant. While working at the firm she continued her legal studies and obtained her paralegal certificate from Vancouver Community College in 2017 and transitioned into her paralegal position. Her main focus is on ICBC insurance defence, but she has also had the opportunity to work on plaintiff ICBC actions, personal injury claims and WorkSafe BC claims. She takes pride in her work and enjoys gaining knowledge and expertise while working on files of varying complexities.
Job Titles:
- Commissioner for Taking Affidavits
- Designated Paralegal
- Paralegal
Michèle Ross joined Virgin Law Group in 2019. She is a senior family law paralegal. In addition to handling Mark V.C. Virgin's family practice, she works with several associate lawyers in the family department. Prior to Virgin Law Group, she worked with Carol W. Hickman, K.C. for 25 years primarily at Quay Law Centre.
Michèle has been a designated paralegal since 2012 when the Law Society of BC approved rule changes allowing BC paralegals to perform additional duties under a lawyer's supervision.
Michèle's extensive experience includes all levels of the court system and includes managing all aspects of the process on family files, whether it be litigation or through a collaborative process. She works closely with clients throughout the process and is actively involved in strategizing and implementing solutions. Michèle also plays an active role in resolving disputes at mediation (both as a support to counsel and appearing in her capacity as a designated paralegal).
In June 2021, Michèle was selected by the British Columbia Supreme Court Civil & Family Rules Committee as one of two paralegals to support the work of the rules committee and offer advice on new projects and rules that may impact British Columbian's access to justice. She continues to sit on that committee.
In addition to Michèle's role as a designated paralegal at Virgin Law Group, she is appointed by the Provincial Government as a bencher for the Law Society of BC. In her role as a bencher, Michèle presently sits on the Law Society of BC's Executive Committee, the Trust Review Task Force and is the chair of the Discipline Committee.
Michèle is a Commissioner for taking Affidavits under the Evidence Act to administer oaths and affirmations and to take affidavits and declarations. She is also a Certified Legal Coach (CLC)* having completed training through the Legal Coaches Association.
On March 24, 2022, Michèle was accepted into the Law Society of BC's innovation sandbox permitting her to perform legal services in the area of family law offered through Virgin Law Group without direct supervision including providing legal advice, processing desk order divorces, drafting court documents, negotiating, providing information on amount of child and spousal support, conducting legal research, legal coaching and representation for matters before the court.
Michèle is active in the legal community having volunteered, created materials, and presented for the CLEBC and TLABC on many occasions. She is also one of the authors of the "Paralegal Perspective" column which appears in TLABC's publication, the Verdict.
Perry Mazzone is a litigation generalist, taking on causes in diverse areas of the law. However, his primary focus is commercial litigation, wills and estates litigation, and personal injury claims on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants.
Perry is a pragmatic thinker who will provide you with objective and practical advice in order to resolve your issues early through negotiation or mediation. Alternatively, if a trial is necessary, you will want Perry in your corner if you want an effective advocate to make your case.
With over 37 years of trial experience behind him, Perry has seen it all and can use that knowledge to your benefit and advantage. A skilled negotiator who is also trained as a mediator, he will fight for your rights to achieve resolution before trial. At trial, he is a tenacious advocate who has constantly demonstrated the skills of a seasoned barrister. In that regard, he is a guest lecturer for the UBC Law School advanced advocacy course-cross-examination component
Perry has worked at large firms and small firms throughout his career. He joined Virgin Law Group in 2015 in order to take advantage of the collegiality of the lawyers in the firm and to give his clients a more personal level of service. He enjoys the assistance he is able to give to clients who come to him with problems and leave with the solutions.
Job Titles:
- Director of Administration
Ronda joined Virgin Law Group in 2024. In her role as Director of Administration, she oversees the operations and management of the firm's Langley office. She is also actively involved in firm-wide initiatives.
With 20 years of experience in the legal industry, Ronda has worked with sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, start-ups, and firms with multi-decade legacies.
Ronda is very involved in the legal community. She serves on the British Columbia Legal Management Association Board of Directors, the TOPICS Newsletter Committee and is a past co-chair of the small firm sub-section.
When not working, Ronda can be found with her husband skiing Whistler and Blackcomb or traveling to warm destinations with their golf clubs in tow.
Job Titles:
- a Paralegal
- Designated Paralegal
Sara Zanotto joined Virgin Law Group as a Paralegal in January 2018 to provide support in all aspects of file management from commencement through to mediation, trial or settlement. Sara takes immense pride in her work and is determined to make a positive difference, taking a personal interest in and responsibility for all files she manages. Her professionalism, strong work ethic and attention to detail are evident in her work product and dealings with clients.
Prior to joining Virgin Law Group, Sara spent 10 years working closely with some of the "The Best Lawyers in Canada" as recognized for work in insurance law by Best Lawyers. She developed expertise in the area of civil litigation with an emphasis on insurance defence, including product liability, occupiers liability, property damage, motor vehicle and construction claims, personal injury and malpractice claims against various professionals.
Sara has extensive experience with document review, including gathering and analyzing evidence, in all aspects of the organization and management of files. She is responsible for drafting pleadings and application materials, retaining and instructing expert witnesses, and liaising with clients.
Outside of the office, Sara enjoys CrossFit, finding healthy alternatives to recipes and spending time with her family & friends. She also has an appreciation for muscle cars & drag racing … and doughnuts!