Bell Baker LLP - Our Firm

Paul A. Webber

Widely recognized as a litigation and administrative law specialist, Paul Webber practises in the areas of municipal, employment and education law. Paul acts as primary counsel for various municipal and educational authorities, and has advised and represented both large and small developers in all facets of land–use planning, infrastructure and development approvals. Paul has lectured extensively both professionally and academically. Paul graduated in 1968 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1970.

Contact: pwebber@bellbaker.com

James R. McIninch

Jim McIninch has been practising law for over 25 years and specializes in municipal and planning law. Jim also has extensive experience in corporate commercial and real estate matters and has acted for numerous large and small corporations, charitable and non–profit –organizations, as well as real estate developers and individuals. Jim graduated from the University of Ottawa Law School in 1975 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1977.

Contact: jmcininch@bellbaker.com

Martin D. Owens

With over 25 years' experience, Martin Owens has a large solicitors practice, with a focus on real estate, wills, estate administration, and business law. Martin regularly acts for various large and small, public and private sector organizations, and has also assisted a local school board in the acquisition, development and sales of dozens of school sites. Martin obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ottawa University in 1979 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1981.

Contact: mowens@bellbaker.com

Geoffrey A. Howard

Geoff Howard joined Bell Baker as a partner in 2006 and brings with him over 20 years of experience advising clients on a broad range of matters involving business law, general corporate and commercial law, commercial leasing and real estate development, as well as residential purchases, sales and refinancing. He also advises clients on business acquisition and estate planning issues. Geoff graduated with an honours degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia. He received a masters degree in Economics and his law degree from Queen's University in Kingston. He was called to the bar of Ontario in 1980. Geoff has been a long time seminar leader at the Ottawa Bar Admission Course and was Senior Instructor and Lecturer for the Corporate Commercial section from 1988 to 1997. He has also participated as a speaker, panel member and chair for Continuing Education Programs with the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Contact: ghoward@bellbaker.com

Roger R. Mills

Roger Mills managed an extensive and varied litigation practise prior to becoming full–time counsel to the Carleton Board of Education and, latterly, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board under a unique secondment. Roger now focuses his practise in the area of employment and labour law, including labour arbitration, human rights and workplace policies, pay and employment equity, labour board proceedings, collective bargaining and privacy compliance. Roger obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa in 1979 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1981.

Contact: rmills@bellbaker.com

Helmut R. Brodmann

Helmut Brodmann has been practising civil litigation for over 20 years, with an emphasis on serious personal injury, insurance and construction law. Helmut has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario and before various administrative tribunals. He also has extensive experience in resolving disputes by way of arbitration and/or mediation. Helmut is a member of the Advocates' Society, the Canadian Bar Association (Ontario), and the County of Carleton Law Association. Helmut graduated from Ottawa University Law School in 1984 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986.

Contact: hbrodmann@bellbaker.com

Wade L. Smith

Wade Smith joined Bell Baker in 1991 and became a partner in 1996. Educated at Ottawa University where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1984, Wade has focused his practice in the areas of family law, as well as wills and estates. Wade has extensive experience in negotiating, mediating and litigating issues related to separation and divorce, including custody, support and property division. He has been involved in a wide variety of contested cases at all levels of the court system.

Contact: wsmith@bellbaker.com

James D. Wilson

Jim Wilson has an Honours B.A. with the University of Western Ontario. He obtained his law degree with the University of Ottawa in 1984, with call to the bar in 1986. Jim joined Bell Baker in 2008 after practicing thirteen years at Marcus McNamara Wilson where his practice was primarily insurance defence litigation. He continues his insurance defence litigation practice at Bell Baker focusing on personal injury litigation, municipal liability disputes, and property claims, including environmental disputes. Jim is a past instructor in civil litigation at the Bar Admission Course and an active member of the Carleton County Law Association. Jim is also keyboardist with a lawyers’ rock and roll band, the Verdict. The Verdict plays at charity functions throughout the Ottawa valley.

Contact: jwilson@bellbaker.com

Cheryl Hess

Cheryl Hess joined Bell Baker in 2008. She brings with her over 20 years of experience in family law, civil litigation, wills and estates. Cheryl has extensive courtroom experience including trial and appellate levels. She has been a member of the Personal Rights Panel of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer since 1999. She graduated from the University of Ottawa Law School in 1984 and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1986.

Contact: chess@bellbaker.com

John E. Summers

John Summers articled with Bell Baker before being called to the Ontario Bar in 1999. An avid proponent of alternative dispute resolution, John has a varied practise offering advice and representation on employment matters, family law, personal injury and insurance litigation. John has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Ontario, as well as various administrative tribunals. John graduated cum laude from the University of Ottawa in 1997.

Contact: jsummers@bellbaker.com

Mélanie H. Levesque

Mélanie Levesque practices civil litigation primarily in the area of insurance defence litigation. Her main focus is personal injury, motor vehicle accidents and property damage claims. Mélanie also has experience in professional liability defence work involving directors, officers, corporations and non-profit organizations. She has also been involved in the field of errors and omissions liability as well as coverage dispute matters. Melanie has offered advice and representation in corporate/commercial, municipal, employment and human rights matters. She is fluently bilingual and has served clients in both official languages. She graduated from Law School at the University of Ottawa in 2004 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2005.

Contact: mlevesque@bellbaker.com

John C. Clarke and David C. Thompson

Although retired from active partnership, Bell Baker’s two most senior professionals, with a combined experience of over 80 years in the practise of law, continue to provide families and business clients with comprehensive advice to ensure the orderly succession of assets to the next generation. Areas of expertise include complex estate planning, post–mortem tax planning, planning for potential incapacity, adult guardianship, representing and advising charities, passing of executor, trustee or committee accounts, including all aspects of trust and estate administration.

Contact John C. Clarke: jclarke@bellbaker.com

Contact David C. Thompson: dthompson@bellbaker.com