SERVICES
We can fully represent you or provide you with limited scope services based on your needs. Click on 'Services & Fees' at the top of the page to learn more.
Areas of law include:
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- Employment, Labour and Human Rights
- Civil Litigation
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Family
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Administrative and Environmental
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Wills & Estates
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Notary Services
APPROACH
We use the latest technology and try to minimize paper usage where possible to make our practice more cost effective (and greener!). We also ensure all of our staff and significant contractors are paid a living wage. We are the first private law practice to become a Champion Level Living Wage Employer in Niagara, in accordance with the Ontario Living Wage Network.
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Legal services have unfortunately become unaffordable and out of reach for the majority. This often leads to self-representation. Although going to court alone is not recommended or ideal, it is the reality that the legal profession is facing. Lawyers make a significant investment in their education and bring a special set of skills to approaching complex problems which can take a lot of time and effort to solve. That stated, it may be possible to provide alternatives such as unbundling (limited scope services) and legal coaching to help make legal services more affordable.
LAWYERS
ABOUT CHANTAL
Chantal McCollum grew up in the Niagara Region, where she attended Brock University and obtained a B.Sc. Later, she attended the University of Toronto, where she completed a M.Eng. in environmental engineering. Following this, she spent over five years working as an environmental consultant in large engineering firms in the GTA and Kitchener/Waterloo areas.
Chantal was a self-represented litigant on more than one occasion. While a self-represented person with respect to a human rights and employment law matter, she was inspired by her legal coach (a lawyer) to pursue a Juris Doctor, which she obtained from the University of Ottawa. During her first summer in law school, she volunteered at a legal clinic. She spent her next summer working at a large local firm and articled there after law school. Then, she thought it would be wise to start-up a law practice during a pandemic.
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Chantal is a member of the Lincoln County Law Association and sits on the Board of Directors, as Treasurer.
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Chantal's practice is focused on general civil litigation including employment and human rights matters, but she also can help with wills and estate and family matters. Chantal has an interest in environmental law also.
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In her spare time, Chantal likes to travel, takes care of her two cats and makes poor attempts to speak French. She is actively involved in politics and may be seen knocking on doors around election time. She was "voluntold" to be a CFO/Official Agent for a federal political campaign in 2019.
ABOUT PETAR
Petar Jovanovic was raised in Burlington, Ontario and obtained his Bachelor of Science from McMaster University. He later attended Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, where he obtained his Juris Doctor. After graduating from law school Petar returned to Ontario where he now primarily practices family law in the Niagara Region. Petar is also able to provide services in general civil litigation, and wills & estates matters.
Petar has had a bi-cultural upbringing. Having immigrated to Canada at the age of 7, Petar has maintained strong ties to his birthplace of Valjevo, Serbia, where he spent his summer holidays nearly every year leading up to the end of his post secondary education. Growing up in two different cultures has given Petar a unique perspective and a strong sense of community.
In his spare time, Petar enjoys socializing with friends and family in a variety of settings, especially at the local pub or a backyard barbeque. Petar also enjoys traveling and exploring new places.
Petar is bilingual and is fluent in English and Serbo-Croatian.
LAW CLERKS
ABOUT JACQUELINE
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Jacqueline brings 34 years of clerk experience to our team and keeps current on new practices and protocols in both the Family and Civil divisions or our court systems. She keeps up with 21st century technology in a firm belief that as systems are not static, neither should we be. She continues to adapt to the changing landscape of the legal field.
Jacqueline understands that at the point of hiring a lawyer, people are not necessarily at the best points of their life journey. As such, she takes a common sense approach with our clients and effectively assists in narrowing down the issues in any particular matter. She takes delight in empowering people.
Jacqueline is the youngest of 10 and a first generation Canadian. Her parents and 8 siblings immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in 1953. She keeps busy with her nieces and nephews and their children.
ABOUT JANESSA
Janessa Galipeau was born and raised in the Niagara Region, where she was a competitive and recreational cheerleader for 8 years. Teaching her what it meant to be a leader and how to reach goals with a team.
In her free time, Janessa is entertaining her son or finding a new adventure for her husband to take her on. Janessa is a licensed nail technician which provides her a creative outlet.