| Michael C. Bruder (President) Michael attended the University of Guelph where he received an Honors Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1980. He received his LL.B. from Queens University in 1984 and was called to the Bar in 1986. In 2001, he attended Duke University and received a Certificate in Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He specializes in civil litigation with a focus on estate litigation and commercial litigation. He is Past Chairman and founding member of the Hamilton Community Justice Fund, Past President and member of the St. Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild, past President of the John Howard Society. He has been an instructor for the Canadian Bar Association course and a frequent lecturer in Civil Litigation topics for the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Advocates Society, the Canadian Bar Association, as well as the Hamilton Law Association. Michael is Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Civil Litigation. Further, he has been recognized by the National Post as one of the "Best Lawyers in Canada" in the area of Trusts and Estates (Litigation) since 2006. You may contact Michael Bruder by:
Telephone No.: 905-525-3652
Facsimile No.: 905-525-6278
E-mail: brudermc@lazierhickey.com |
| Michelle Stark (Vice-President) Michelle Stark attended McMaster University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1992 and received a Combined Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Anthropology. She has a Juris Doctor Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997. Michelle articled in Hamilton and spent 15 years practicing insurance defence litigation at a well established firm, where she was a partner for 8 years. In January 2011 Michelle joined Wissenz Law Personal Injury Lawyers, and now practices exclusively in the area of personal injury litigation, specializing in motor vehicle negligence, accidental falls, and medical malpractice. Michelle is a Trustee of the Hamilton Law Association, and is currently the Vice-President of the organization. She has been actively involved in the Association for 16 years and currently Co-Chairs the New Lawyers Subcommittee. She is also a member of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club and the American Bar Association. Michelle is a past member of the City of Hamilton's Municipal Heritage Committee, and a past Director of Breast Cancer Support Services and the Durand Neighbourhood Association. She also sat as a member of the Mayor's Community Council Task Force. She is a currently a member of the Board of Directors for Hamilton History & Heritage. Co-Chair of New Lawyers' Subcommittee You may contact Michelle Stark by:
Telephone No: 905-522-1102
Facsimile No.: 905-522-1122
E-mail: mstark@wissenzlaw.com |
 | David W. Howell (Secretary-Treasurer) David Howell received his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School and his B.A. from Queen’s. David was called to the bar in 1985. David was born and raised in Hamilton. He articled in Toronto and practiced in the tax group of a Toronto law firm from 1985 to 1989, when he returned to Hamilton to continue his practice. David is currently a partner at Ross & McBride LLP. David practices business law and estate planning for business owners. His practice focuses on providing legal services to owners and managers of private businesses. His clients include businesses in the manufacturing, services, health care and technology industries. He has extensive experience in establishing new businesses, corporate reorganizations, business agreements, business succession planning and mergers and acquisitions. David is a past president of the Estate Planners Council of Hamilton and a past director of the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation and Royal Botanical Gardens. David was a seminar instructor in taxation for the Bar Admission Course for 12 years. David has spoken on business law and tax topics for the Ontario Bar Association, the Hamilton Law Association and other organizations. He is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. David is a wilderness camper and a member of the Hamilton YMCA. Chair of Corporate Commercial Subcommittee You may contact David Howell by:
Telephone No.: 905-572-5830
Facsimile No.: 905-526-0732
E-mail: dhowell@rossmcbride.com |
| Michael Winward (Past President)
Michael Winward obtained his BA degree in History and Political Science from McMaster University in 1979. He obtained his LLB degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1983. He was called to the Bar in 1985 and immediately commenced work with Mackesy, Smye LLP. Michael has been a partner at Mackesy, Smye since 1990. He practices exclusively in the area of civil litigation including personal injury, medical malpractice and commercial litigation. Michael was certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2001. He has served as Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Chair of the Bench & Bar Committee, Chair of the Police Liaison Subcommittee, a member of the Library Excellence Committee, and the Membership, Fundraising and Finance Committee of the Hamilton Law Association. Michael is delighted to now sit as President of the Hamilton Law Association. Michael has spoken at conferences organized by The Law Society of Upper Canada, The Advocates Society, The Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, The Canadian Institute and the Hamilton Law Association. Community involvement includes coaching for the Burlington Lions Optimist Hockey Association, being on the board of directors for the Around the Bay Road Race and fund raising for the YMCA Strong Kids program. You may contact Michael Winward by:
Telephone No.: 905-525-2341
Facsimile No.: 905-525-6300
E-mail: winward@mackesysmye.com |
 | Michele Ballagh - NEW TRUSTEE Michele Ballagh received her LLB from Queen’s University and her BA from the University of Toronto. Michele was called to the bar in 1999. Michele articled at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP in Hamilton and practiced in their intellectual property group until 2008. In 2009, she and her business partner, Valerie Edward, set up their own firm, Ballagh & Edward LLP, where they practice exclusively in the field of intellectual property law. Michele’s solicitors practice includes the filing and prosecution of trade-mark and copyright applications as well as the review of agreements involving intellectual property rights. Her barrister’s practice includes litigation in all areas of intellectual property law, including trade-marks, domain names, copyright, patents, industrial designs, trade secrets and confidential information. She has extensive experience in resolving intellectual property disputes of all kinds and has appeared as an advocate before both the trial and appeal courts for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Federal Court of Canada. Her clients include businesses in the manufacturing, mining, retail, technology, health services, food services and fashion as well as public institutions, municipalities and other law firms. Michele is a past chair of the Science, Technology and Innovation Committee for the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and a current director of the Mohawk College Enterprise Corporation. She is also a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Canadian Bar Association. Vice-Chair of Corporate Commercial Subcommittee
You may contact Michele Ballagh by:
Telephone No.: 905-572-9300
Facsimile No.: 905-572-9301
E-mail: michele.ballagh@ballaghedward.ca |
 | Michael Bordin Michael Bordin is a partner at Evans Sweeny Bordin LLP. He has practised civil litigation since his call to the Bar in 1998. Michael’s practice encompasses disputes arising out of all manner of business dealings. His practice also focuses on professional negligence. He acts for a variety of institutional clients as well as closely held corporations and individuals. Michael has appeared as an advocate on motions, applications, trials and appeals in the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal, and before a number of boards and tribunals. Since 2006 Michael has been included in Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of Professional Negligence. Michael graduated summa cum laude with an Honours B.A. in English from McMaster University in 1993 and from the University of Western Ontario Law School in 1996. Originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Michael has embraced Hamilton as his home and is committed to the Hamilton community. He has served for many years as a director on a number of not-for-profit organizations, for two years on the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the HLA, and coaches soccer in west Hamilton. Michael is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, the Advocates’ Society and the Hamilton Law Association. Chair of Continuing Professional Development Committee and Co-Chair of Technology Subcommittee You may contact Michael Bordin by:
Telephone No.: 905-523-5666
Facsimile No.: 905-523-8098
E-mail: mbordin@esblawyers.com
|
 | Janis Criger Janis Criger graduated from University of Windsor Law School in 1983 and was called to the Bar in 1985. She is a sole practitioner in Civil Litigation, concentrating on personal injury matters arising from motor vehicle accidents, slip & fall incidents and professional negligence. You may contact Janis Criger by:
Telephone No.: 905-525-4639
Facsimile No.: 905-525-2103
E-mail: jpcriger@crigerlaw.com |
 | Robert J. Hooper Rob Hooper obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science from St. Thomas University in 1988. He obtained his LL.B Degree from the University of Ottawa in 1991. After articling at Blake, Cassels & Graydon, he was called to the Bar in 1993 and commenced employment with Sullivan, Festeryga, practising insurance defence litigation and criminal law. Rob Hooper then moved to The Morris Law Group to practice personal injury litigation with Bill Morris. On March 1, 2001, Rob Hooper opened Hooper Law Offices on Hughson Street North in Hamilton. His practice is exclusively in the area of civil litigation, including personal injury, medical malpractice, and disability litigation. Rob was certified as a specialist in civil litigation by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2007. He presently serves as a member of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Hamilton Law Association, and was previously a member of the Professional Issues Committee. He is also the vice-chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, the vice-chair of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation of Hamilton and Burlington, and a member of the Ontario Bar Association Council. Robert is a regular speaker on personal injury matters with the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, the Canadian Institute and the Hamilton Law Association. He is also the head coach of the Dundas Dynamo elite women’s basketball team. Vice-Chair of Continuing Professional Development Committee
You may contact Robert Hooper by:
Telephone No.: 905-522-8002
Facsimile No.: 905-777-1220
E-mail: rob@hooperlaw.ca
|
 | Kirsten Hughes Kirsten Hughes obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts in French and Italian from the University of Toronto and her Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. After teaching for several years, Kirsten then obtained Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto, clerked at the Superior Court of Justice, Toronto and was called to the bar in 2002. Kirsten is a sole practitioner focusing on matrimonial law, child protection law and some criminal defence. Kirsten is also a member of the panel of lawyers representing the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. Kirsten has been co-chair of the Family Law Subcommittee since 2006 and has sat on the Legal Aid Area Committee since 2006. Kirsten speaks French and Italian and enjoys running, skiing and wake boarding. Co-Chair of Family Law Subcommittee and Family Law-Bench & Bar Subcommittee You may contact Kirsten Hughes by:
Telephone No.: 905-523-5252
Facsimile No.: 905-777-1137
E-mail: kirstenhughes@cogeco.ca
|
 | John Oleg Krawchenko John Oleg Krawchenko was called to the Bar in 1988. He attended the University of Manitoba and obtained his B.A. in 1983 and his L.L.B. in 1986. John has been in private practice since his call and has been a sole practitioner since 1990. In addition to his general practice, John has sat as a Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court since 1999. John is a public member and sits on various committees as well as the executive for the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. Prior to becoming a Trustee, John was a member of the Membership, Fundraising and Finance Committee of the HLA. He is an avid back country camper, motorcyclist, and also an actor performing in various theaters in Southwestern Ontario. Chair of Collections & Library Excellence Subcommittee and Chair of Real Estate Subcommittee You may contact John Krawchenko by:
Telephone No.: 905-546-0525
Facsimile No.: 905-546-0596
E-mail: j.o.krawchenko@on.aibn.com |
 | W. Patric Mackesy - NEW TRUSTEE W Patric Mackesy is a graduate of the University of Waterloo in History and Economics in 1965 and obtained his LLB (cum laude) from University of Ottawa in 1969. He articled for John White and after his call to the bar in 1971 joined the firm of White and Swaye. A partner in 1972, the firm evolved into Mackesy, Smye LLP, which specializes in personal injury work. Pat does all the solicitor’s work in the firm and has extensive experience in Family Law mediation. For 30 years he focused on Family Law as well. Law has been very good to Pat allowing him to provide extensive volunteer hours both in the community and both as a presenter at seminars and assisting in committee work( family, real estate & technology) through the Hamilton Law Association. Vice-Chair of Real Estate Subcommittee
You may contact W. Patric Mackesy by:
Telephone No.: 905-525-2341
Facsimile No.: 905-525-6300
E-mail: mackesy@mackesysmye.com |
 | Geoffrey Read Mr. Read graduated in political science from the University of Waterloo in 1971 and from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1974. Once he was called to the bar in 1976, he began to practice for 11 and a half years as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Hamilton until resigning in 1987 to go into private practice. He continues as a sole practitioner, restricting his practice to criminal law, in which he is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist. Geoff continues to be a member of the Hamilton Criminal Lawyers' Association, of which he was formerly Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-President, then President. He is also a member of the Ontario Criminal Lawyers' Association, of which he was formerly a director for Hamilton. He is currently vice chair of the HLA's Bench & Bar Committee, has previously served as vice chair of the Services & Benefits Committee, is a member of the Legal Aid Ontario Hamilton Area Committee, President and Chair of the Board of Directors for Jamesville Children's Daycare Centre, and a director of the Hamilton Association for Recreation and Redevelopment Programs. His interests include scuba diving, skiing and golf (in order of declining proficiency), travel, and theater (of which he had an opportunity to participate in the HLA production of Inherit the Wind). You may contact Geoff Read by:
Telephone No.: 905-529-2029
Facsimile No.: 905-522-6677 |
 | Nicholas A. Richter Nicholas is a sole practitioner practising in Hamilton, having previously practised with Torys, Heenan Blaikie, and Groia & Company in Toronto. He attended Georgia State University and Princeton University, and obtained his law degree from Dalhousie University. He was called to the bar in 1994. Nicholas currently practises civil litigation and criminal law, with a focus on securities litigation, corporate and commercial litigation, agriculture litigation, professional negligence, defamation, and white collar crime. Nicholas was a member of the legal team which successfully defended John Felderhof on charges arising from the collapse of Bre-X Minerals Ltd. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, American Bar Association, Advocates’ Society, Criminal Lawyers’ Association, Hamilton Criminal Lawyers’ Association, and Hamilton Law Association. He currently sits on the Bench & Bar Committee and the Collections Subcommittee of the Hamilton Law Association. Nicholas has lived in Hamilton since 1997, and gave up commuting to Toronto in 2001, when he set up his own practice in Hamilton. He hopes to live in Hamilton for a very long time. Vice-Chair of Collections & Library Excellence Subcommittee and Co-Chair of Technology Subcommittee You may contact Nicholas Richter by:
Telephone No.: 905-523-7994
Facsimile No.: 905-523-6285
E-mail: nrichter@richterlaw.ca |