Biographical Summaries of Presenters

Transcription

1 PRACTICE GEMS: Administration of Estates 2017 Biographical Summaries of Presenters [Presented in alphabetical order] September 29, 2017

2

3 Biographical Summary Rick Bickhram Bickhram Litigation P.C. 55 City Centre Drive, Suite #508 Mississauga, Ontario L5B 1M3 Rick Bickhram is an experienced litigator and a compassionate advocate for his clients. Rick s practice of law includes all areas of estate, trust, capacity and guardianship litigation as well as family law litigation. Called to the bar in September 2007, Rick is a graduate of the University of Windsor and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After his call to the bar, Rick articled and subsequently, practiced as an associate lawyer at a top estate litigation firm in downtown Toronto for many years prior to founding Bickhram Litigation. Committed to the advancement of legal knowledge, Rick is a regularly published author writing numerous articles relating to estate, trust and family law topics. He is also a frequent speaker lecturing frequently before legal and professional associations, at local conferences and to law students. Rick is a strong supporter of education and student programs. Rick has been recognized as a tutor with the Law Society of Upper Canada, helping law students prepare for their Bar Admission Exam since January 2010.

4 Jag C. Gandhi Partner Vaughan RELATED SERVICES Private Client Services Biography Jag s practice focuses primarily on Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning and Administration. Working with other professional advisors, Jag helps to ensure that clients assets are preserved upon death and that wealth is properly transferred to various individuals and organizations in accordance with their wishes. She regularly advises clients on a wide range of matters including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, subtitute decision making, estate and trust taxation, and estate planning and administration. She is a trusted advisor in sophisticated and complex domestic and cross-boarder estate planning and regularly advises executors and trustees during the administration of estates and trusts. Jag has a specific focus in estate planning for professionals and owner-manager clients, families that have individuals with disabilities and blended family situations. While starting her career off in the Corporate/Commercial Group at Aird & Berlis LLP and then working in-house for Procter & Gamble Inc., prior to joining Miller Thomson, Jag practiced Private Client Services at Wilson Vukelich LLP (a business and tax law firm) for the last 9 years. Jag received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours), from the University of Western Ontario, her Master of Arts, from McMaster University, and her LL.B from the University of Windsor in 2003 and was called to the Ontario Bar in She also received her Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Certification in Jag regularly speaks at various seminars and courses and contributes to related publications. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Mackenzie Health Foundation in Vaughan, Ontario. Professional achievements & leadership STEP Canada, student award for receiving the highest essay grade for 2013 practitioner route, on paper for Resignation, Retirement and Removal of Trustees (2013) Professional memberships Director, Board of Mackenzie Health Foundation Member, Governance and Nomination Committee of Mackenzie Health Foundation Member, Strategic Planning Committee of Mackenzie Health Foundation Member, The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners of Canada Member, Ontario Bar Association of Ontario Trust and Estates Section Member, Canadian Association of Women Executives and Entrepreneurs Languages spoken English Gujarati Bar admissions & education Ontario Bar, 2004 The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, TEP 2013 LL.B., University of Windsor, 2003 M.A., McMaster University, 2000 B.A., (Hons.), University of Western Ontario, 1999 Miller Thomson LLP All rights reserved

5 Tim was the founding Secretary, and a past chair of the Ottawa branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is presently Past Chair of STEP Canada. Tim Grieve Merovitz Potechin LLP Tim Grieve obtained his B.A. in political science from the University of Calgary in 1984 and his LL.B. from the University of Ottawa in He was called to the Bar in 1990 and is a partner in the Ottawa law firm of Merovitz Potechin LLP, practicing in the trusts and estates, corporate-commercial and not-for-profit areas. Originally from Calgary, Tim has lived in Ottawa since He is an active member of his local community and lends his time and expertise to several charitable organizations. Timothy Grieve B.A., LL.B., TEP Suite Carling Avenue Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R1 Direct Line Main Line Fax tim@mpottawa.com

6 Jandy John, TEP. Jandy is a graduate of York University with an Honours BA in Mathematics. She started her Estates and Trust career at The Canada Trust Company in Ottawa over 25 years ago. In that time, she progressed into more responsible positions to ultimately become Manager of the Trust Service Centre in Toronto. As manager, she successfully managed a team of 25 Trust Professionals that collectively oversaw over 4,000 accounts. In 2003, she was promoted to Regional Manager at Royal Trust. In her 8 years at Royal Trust, her responsibilities deepened by managing a team of 40 trust professionals in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. In that time, she helped grow Royal Trust s profile as a premiere provider of estate and trust services, which resulted in profitably growing the business. Five years ago, she moved to The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company ( Scotiatrust") in Toronto as a Senior Manager. Her team now consists of 48 trust professionals administering estate, trust protective and litigation accounts where she continues to elevate Scotiatrust s reputation with a focus on profitable results and exceptional client service. Throughout her more than 25 year career, she has taken a high level of initiative that has been reflected in her proven track record of positive, tangible results.

7 Heather Mountford, Goddard Gamage LLP Heather Mountford has been an associate lawyer at Goddard Gamage LLP, in Toronto Ontario, since September of Heather s practice focuses on the areas of elder law, guardianship, capacity and power of attorney litigation, estate litigation, wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate administration. Prior to joining Goddard Gamage LLP, Heather articled at the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee in Ontario. Heather is a member of the Mental Health Legal Committee, the Senior People s Resources in North Toronto Advisory Committee, an executive member of the Elder Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, and a member of the board of directors of Family Councils Ontario. Heather has presented at conferences hosted by the Law Society of Upper Canada, Osgoode Professional Development Centre, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, ADR Institute of Ontario and community organizations on issues regarding estate administration, powers of attorney, advance care planning, guardianship and capacity, and ethical issues for lawyers practicing in estates and elder law.

8 ALBERT H. OOSTERHOFF Biographical Sketch Professor Albert H. Oosterhoff holds a BA and a JD from the Western University, and an LLM from the University of Toronto. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1966 and practiced in London with Shepherd, McKenzie, Plaxton, Little & Jenkins until He taught at the Faculty of Law, University of Windsor from 1969 until He joined the Faculty of Law at Western University in 1972, where he held the positions of Associate Dean (Academic), Associate Dean (Administration), and Acting Dean. He was awarded the title Professor Emeritus on his retirement in From 2005 to 2013 he served as an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. Albert s research and teaching interests are in Wills and Estates, Trusts, and Property. He has written numerous articles, comments, and books in those areas, regularly presents papers in Continuing Legal Education programs, and has written several reports and studies for the Ontario Law Reform Commission and the Uniform Law Conference of Canada. He was an Associate Editor of the Dominion Law Reports and Canadian Criminal Cases from 1973 to 2007, and Associate Editor of Ontario Reports from and He also served as Editor-in- Chief of the Estates and Trusts Journal. His texts include Anger and Honsberger, Law of Real Property, 2nd ed. (with W.B. Rayner) (Canada Law Book, 1985); Oosterhoff on Wills: Text, Commentary and Materials, 8th ed. (with C. David Freedman, Mitchell McInnes, and Adam Parachin) (Thomson Reuters/Carswell, 2016); and Oosterhoff on Trusts: Text, Commentary and Materials, 8th ed. (with Robert Chambers and Mitchell McInnes) (Thomson Reuters/Carswell, 2014). His texts and articles are cited regularly by all levels of the Canadian courts and the Trusts and Wills texts are widely used in Canadian Law Schools. Albert is counsel to WEL Partners and provides opinions to lawyers and law firms on issues in estates, wills, trusts, and aspects of property law. Albert enjoys singing. He also loves writing and making words on the page sing.

9 Debra L. Stephens, Counsel PRACTICE Debra is Counsel to WEL Partners and practices exclusively in the following areas: Passing of Accounts Guardianship Fiduciary appointments and representation Estate administration Mediation EXPERIENCE Debra Stephens was called to the Bar of Ontario in Her practice initially focused on family, estate, trust and guardianship issues. Since 1998 she has specialized in estate litigation, administration and planning. Debra has worked in private legal practice for most of her career. Prior to joining WEL Partners as Counsel, she practiced at Goddard Gamage Stephens LLP, a firm that specializes in estate and trust matters and guardianship and elder law. Before joining GGS, Debra was The Children s Lawyer for the Province of Ontario. The Office of the Children s Lawyer is responsible for providing legal services to children in various proceedings before Ontario courts and tribunals. Prior to her appointment as The Children s Lawyer, Deb was with Schnurr Kirsh Stephens, a firm that also specializes in trust, estate and mental incompetency issues. Debra is currently on the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section. Debra has been an adjunct professor with the University of Toronto Law School teaching estates and trust law, has taught the Estate Law Clerk programme at Humber College, and has lectured on estates, trusts and guardianship issues at Osgoode Hall Law School and for the Osgoode Professional Development programme. Debra is a frequent lecturer and has chaired programmes for the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Bar Association, regional Estate Planning Councils, and other professional and community organizations. Debra has also authored numerous articles related to estates, trust, insurance, guardianships, and family law. dstephens@welpartners.com (416) welpartners.com

10 Page 2 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS Law Society of Upper Canada The Canadian Bar Association The Ontario Bar Association Toronto Lawyers Association dstephens@welpartners.com (416) welpartners.com

11 Kimberly A. Whaley, CS, TEP, LLM Kimberly A. Whaley is the founder and principal of the Toronto Boutique Trusts and Estates Litigation Firm, WEL Partners. Kimberly is also a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Her practice is restricted to the resolution, litigation and mediation of estate and related disputes throughout Ontario including: Will, Estate, Trust Disputes; Advising Fiduciaries; Dependant Support Claims; Passing of Estate, Trustee, Attorney, Guardian & Fiduciary Accounts; Capacity Proceedings; Guardianships; Power of Attorney Disputes; Consent and Capacity Board; End-of-Life and Treatment Decisions; Medical Assistance in Dying; Elder Law; Elder Financial Abuse; Solicitor s Negligence; Representation of Persons Under Disability; Probate Applications; Opinions; Agency Services; Approval Motions Under Rule 7 Kimberly mediates estate and trust related disputes within her practice areas. Kimberly Whaley has been named to the National Law Journal s list of Divorce, Trusts and Estates Trailblazers, May Kimberly s firm has been ranked annually by Canadian Lawyer since 2014 as one of the Top 5 Trusts and Estates Boutique firms in Canada; and has been recognized since 2012 by Global Law Experts, receiving International awards in Trust and Estate Law in Kimberly was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL) in Vancouver, Kimberly was designated as a Certified Specialist in Estates and Trusts Law by the Law Society of Upper Canada in Kimberly has been peer selected annually since 2008 for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada in the practice area of Estates and Trusts. Kim was chosen by Lawday Leading Lawyers as one of the top 60 leading lawyers in Canada in Estates and Trusts. She was given the Martindale- Hubbell BV Distinguished Rating in both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards. Kimberly is peer ranked in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. She is currently a member of the CBA Elder Law Section and an Executive Member, OBA Awards Committee. She is on the Expert Advisory Focus Group for the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) Law Reform Project as it relates to Ontario s Capacity and Guardianship Laws and to RDSPs. Kimberly is the Past Chair of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Toronto Branch. Kimberly is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Toronto. Kimberly has been on the Estate List Users Committee of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice at Toronto since its inception in Kimberly s most rewarding achievement and outright passion is her daughter, Sammi, now age 18. Kimberly has an affection for cooking, baking, cycling with her Trek Cali SLX, and photography with her Nikon D800 and new lenses. Kimberly also runs marathons and other races in her spare time and is taking guitar lessons. Loves Bewitched, Audrey Hepburn and Peanuts favorite is Snoopy! kim@welpartners.com (416) whaleyestatelitigation.com

12 NICOLE WOODWARD Counsel T F Toronto nwoodward@blg.com Estates and Trusts Tax Charities and Not-For-Profits Family Wealth Counsel EDUCATION / BAR ADMISSION JD, University of Saskatchewan, 2002 Bachelor of Science, University of Lethbridge, with Distinction, 1999 British Columbia, 2003 Alberta, 2005 Ontario, 2007 PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT Member of Executive, Ontario Bar Association, Estates & Trusts Section Member, Estate Planning Council of Toronto Member, Canadian Bar Association; Corporate Counsel, Trusts and Estates Member, American Bar Association Member, Institute of Corporate Directors Member, Canadian Society of Association Executives Member, Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Past Board member, The Salvation Army, Calgary, Alberta Past Board member, Kamloops Bar Association Past Vice-President, Merritt Rotary Club, Merritt, British Columbia EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Nicole Woodward is counsel in the Toronto office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Nicole practices in the area of trusts, estates, succession planning, and taxation in relation to those practice areas. She advises clients in all areas of domestic and complex cross-border estate and trust matters, including planning for high net worth estates, estate and trust administration, and the preparation of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. Nicole regularly counsels individuals regarding a variety of cross-border issues, including tax planning for foreign spouses, U.S. beneficiaries of Canadian estates, and Canadians with U.S.-situs assets. REPRESENTATIVE WORK Advise high net worth private clients with international interests or complex issues on appropriate estate, tax and trust planning, including drafting of wills, trusts and other ancillary documents Advise clients regarding complex cross-border issues, including tax planning for foreign spouses, U.S. beneficiaries of Canadian estates, and Canadians with U.S.-situs assets Advise private clients regarding business succession planning Advise donors, charities and non-profit organizations regarding tax implications of structuring operations, establishing legal entities, obtaining and maintaining charitable registration, and trust/corporate governance Advise estate trustees of complex estates involving court sealing of grants of probate, resealing in other Canadian and international jurisdictions, administration of testamentary trusts, tax implications of donation of private corporation shares and gifts by will, and wind-up and reorganization of private corporation interests Advise estate trustees with administration of estates, including addressing transfers and sale of land, completing distributions to beneficiaries, and handling all other related matters Lawyers Patent & Trademark Agents 2017 Borden Ladner Gervais LLP ( BLG ). All rights reserved