Biography
Ken Ritson is a partner at Cheadles LLP and specializes in Corporate Law, providing a broad range of services for business owners and their companies – from the idea stage to exit, including:
- incorporations
- financings
- mergers/amalgamations
- risk management
- debt collection
- corporate governance
- asset purchase/sales
- share purchase/sales
- shareholder or partnership agreements
Ken’s clients range from owner operated entrepreneurial businesses, non-profit organizations, professional corporations and high tech firms, to large institutions and everything in between. Additionally, Ken advises many indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nations on their optimal business structure and economic development opportunities, including whether to set up a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, corporation or Joint Venture.
Given his vast experience and intimate knowledge of the Ontario Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS), Ken is regularly retained by Mining companies from all over the world to provide title opinions on patented and unpatented mining claims and licence of occupations for the purpose of IPOs, large financings or acquisitions. Further, Ken frequently deals with prospectors and small mining companies in all aspects of Mining Law, including negotiating acquisition agreements, exploration agreements, royalty agreements.
Ken and his wife Jaclyn were born and raised in Thunder Bay and have been blessed with two boys, Reed and Mackenzie, born in 2016, and 2017 respectively, and a daughter Gina, born in 2019. When he is not practicing law, Ken lives an active lifestyle, and in addition to participating in competitive sports, he enjoys swimming, fishing, cross-country skiing and hiking with his family.
Community Involvement:
- Director – Thunder Bay AAA Kings Hockey Program
- Past Director – Thunder Bay Boys and Girls Club
- Coaching – Minor Hockey
Publications, Presentations, Awards
- Instructor for Canadian Condominium Institute Courses
- Instructor for Entrepreneur Jumpstart Program
- Guest speaker at Real Estate Board Seminars (topics: Seller Property Information Sheets; realtor liability)
- Guest speaker at First Time Home Buyer Seminars
- Thunder Bay Law Association, 2017 Service to the Profession Award
Bar Admission
2010 – Ontario
Education
- BComm – Economics (University of Guelph – 2006)
- LLB (University of Calgary – 2009)
Biography
Bill’s practice began with Cheadles after law school and continues for over three decades! As senior managing partner Bill ensures an efficient and smooth delivery of value added services to clients. Timely completion of work based on exceeding client’s reasonable expectations is the litmus test for success. Litigation – standing on one’s feet before a decision maker—is what keeps Bill engaged and enthusiastic
Family Law, Insolvency, and Management side Labour and employment law are the principal areas of his practice. Experienced staff make all the difference in keeping client matters on track and on time. Bill has appeared before all levels of Courts in Ontario, including appellate Courts to the Ontario Court of Appeal, recently involving video hearing. His primary Court of practice is the Superior Court of Ontario. Appearances before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, WSIAT, and Arbitration panels make for an experienced counsel in labour related issues.
As past President of United Way of Thunder Bay, past chair of Nor-West Gyro.
Educational Background
- Studied at University of Western Ontario now Western University for pre-law studies
- LL.B. — University of Ottawa
- Barrister and Solicitor – Law Society of Ontario
Professional Associations
Bill is a member of the Litigation and Law Practice sections of the American Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, and a member of the Advocates’ Society and the Thunder Bay Law Association
Community Involvement
Bill’s personal time focuses on many and varied largely outdoors activities befitting his residency situate in the outdoor paradise we call Northwestern Ontario. Currently Bill is the Commander of the Lakehead Division, Canadian Power Squadron both expanding his personal knowledge of boating through the excellent courses offered by the Squadron which he provides direction and guidance. The Northern Light Campers Association has elected Bill as its President to advocate on behalf of the Association’s interests in one of the most pristine wilderness areas in North America. Muskie and Pike are the fish he likes to seek out in his outdoor adventures. Bill is keenly interested in the traditional life of Canadians and their proximity to and reliance on the land and all its creatures. Bill enjoys downhill skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, canoeing, and other modes of accessing the wild.
Bill is a past Director of the Hogarth-Westmount Hospital. He is the Past-President of the United Way of Thunder Bay, Past Vice-President of Junior Achievement, and a former Treasurer of Nor’West Gyro.
Biography
Rosa is a partner with Cheadles LLP, having summered and articled with the firm since 2010 before being admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in June 2013. Rosa obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Windsor in 2012. Rosa became a registered trademark agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office in March 2021.
Rosa works in multiple areas of law but focuses on corporate, commercial, trademarks, wills, estates and real estate law. As a past sole-proprietor, Rosa understands the complexities of the commercial world in both a legal and practical sense and enjoys assisting new business owners navigate the complexities of the legal end of business. Additionally, Rosa recognizes and respects the difficulties of dealing with estates and wills both legally and emotionally. In addition to assisting her own clients, Rosa often presents to the general public on this topic to try and simplify what is often an overwhelming time in people’s lives. Recently, Rosa has also co-instructed the Business Law course for Lakehead University’s Faculty of Business Administration’s MBA program.
Rosa is from Schreiber, Ontario, a small town east of Thunder Bay. While she is not a native Thunder Bay-ite, since making the move to Thunder Bay in 2012, Rosa has immersed herself into the community and is now involved in many boards and organizations in multiple capacities. Rosa is an avid volunteer and loves convincing others to join in on the fun. Outside of work and volunteering, Rosa enjoys spending time her family and friends but mostly with her favourite little man, her dog, Reggie.
Professional Associations
- Thunder Bay Law Association
- Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
- Canadian-Italian Business and Professional Association, Thunder Bay Chapter
- Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Thunder Bay Business Women’s Network
- SHIFT – Young Professionals Network
Community Involvement
- Past Chair of the Board of Directors (2018)– Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Past Director – Thunder Bay Law Association’s Board of Directors
- Director- Institute of Italian Studies Lakehead University
- Member – Canadian-Italian Business and Professional Association, Thunder Bay Chapter
- Former Fund Development Coordinator – Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario
- Member – Holy Angels Catholic Women’s League
- Former Leader- First Communion Program at Corpus Christi Parish
Awards/Accolades
- Lakehead University’s 2019 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
- Chronicle Journal Reader’s Choice Award for Best Lawyer (2020)
- Chronicle Journal Reader’s Choice Award for Best Lawyer (2019)
- Chronicle Journal Reader’s Choice Award for Best Lawyer (2018)
- SHIFT-Young Professionals Network’s 2018 Top 20 under 40 Northern Ontario Visionary Award (NOVA) for Leadership
- Thunder Bay Law Association’s 2017 Service to the Community Award
- “Volunteer Extraordinaire” Award from Camp Quality Canada (2017)
- Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award
Publications & Presentations
Bar Admission
2013- Ontario
Education
- 2021 – Registered Trademark Agent, Canadian Intellectual Property Office
- 2012 – University of Windsor Faculty of Law – Juris Doctor
- 2010 – Lakehead University Faculty of Business – Master of Science in Management
- 2008 – Lakehead University Faculty of Business – Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Major in Human Resources Management, Minor in Marketing)
Media
Biography
Kaitlin became an Associate Lawyer with Cheadles LLP in September 2018. She practices in the areas of Corporate/Commercial, Wills and Estates, and Real Estate. Prior to completing her law degree, Kaitlin worked at the firm as a student throughout her time in law school, as well as completed her Practice Placement with the firm.
Kaitlin graduated with her Juris Doctor degree from Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in 2018. She achieved the highest mark in Constitutional Law in her first year and graduated on the Dean’s List. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Queen’s University and a B.A. (Hons) degree in Law and Society from York University. Prior to law school, Kaitlin obtained her Paralegal P1 Licence from the Law Society of Upper Canada and worked as a licenced paralegal.
Born and raised in Millbrook, Ontario, just outside Peterborough, Kaitlin’s interests include travelling, baking and exploring the outdoor beauty that Northwestern Ontario has to offer.
Community Involvement
Director – Canadian Condominium Institute – Northwestern Ontario Chapter
Publications and Presentations
Guest Speaker for Canadian Condominium Institute Courses
Publications in Canadian Condominium Institute – Northwestern Ontario Condo News
Professional Associations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Thunder Bay Law Association
Bar Admission
2018 – Ontario
Education
- 2008 – Queen’s University – B.A. Sociology
- 2010 – York University – B.A.(Hons) Law and Society
- 2013 – Sir Sandford Fleming College – Paralegal Diploma
- 2018 – Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University – Juris Doctor
Biography
Jordan is a partner at Cheadles, having joined the firm in September 2013. Prior to joining Cheadles, Jordan articled as a judicial law clerk for the Superior Court of Justice – Northwest region. While based in Thunder Bay, he also clerked for the Superior Court judges of Kenora, Sault Ste. Marie and Parry Sound.
Jordan has successfully represented clients while appearing before the Ontario Court of Appeal, Divisional Court, Superior Court of Justice, Federal Court of Canada, Alberta Queen’s Bench, Ontario Court of Justice, Provincial Offences Court, Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Ontario Municipal Board (now the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal). His cases have been reported by a variety of publications including the Ontario Reports, Canadian Human Rights Reports, Canadian Labour Law Cases, Estates & Trusts Reports, Municipal and Planning Law Reports, Construction Law Reports, Weekly Criminal Bulletins and the All Canada Weekly Summaries.
Before entering the world of law, Jordan spent several years as a reporter for the CBC, filing stories at the regional, provincial and national level, making regular contributions to programs such as World Report, Ontario Today, and The World This Weekend. Jordan is very active with various not-for-profit organizations in Thunder Bay, and in his spare time he enjoys snowboarding, playing hockey, fishing and watching the Blue Jays.
Professional Associations
- Thunder Bay Law Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- The Advocates’ Society
- Ad IDEM/Canadian Media Lawyers Association
- Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education
Community Involvement
- Vice-President – Thunder Bay Law Association
- President and Trustee – Thunder Bay Community Foundation
- Chair of the Lakehead Public School Foundation
- Co-Chair – Thunder Bay Covid Community Response Fund
- Clinical Instructor – Lakehead University Faculty of Law – Constitutional Law
- Local Organizing Committee – 2017 WBSC U18 Baseball World Cup
- Director – Thunder Bay International Baseball Association
- Fundraiser – Harbour Youth Services of Thunder Bay
- Volunteer – Lawyers Feed the Hungry
- Mock trial coach – Ontario Justice Education Network
Publications & Presentations
- Responsible communication on matters of public interest: An analysis of the modification to qualified privilege (2012) 17 Media & Arts Law Review 145.
- “Bill S-6 and the First Nations Elections Act: The Modernization/Paternalization of Voting under the Indian Act” 15.3 Ontario Bar Association, Aboriginal Law Section, July 2012
- “How to accommodate transgendered or gender-nonconforming students in schools” in Caroline Spindler Ed., CAPSLE 2016: Bright Lights on Emerging Issues in Education Law, Proceedings of the Twenty-Seventh Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education, held in Toronto, Ontario May 1 – 3, 2016 (Toronto: CAPSLE, 2017).
- “Human Rights Law in 2016” (presentation) – Human Resources Professionals Association – Northwest Chapter – May 5, 2016 – Thunder Bay, ON
- “The Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement: Expanding the horizons of education self-government in Canada”, CAPSLE 2017: In the Land of Living Skies – Expanding the Horizons in Education and the Law, Proceedings of the Twenty-Eighth Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education, held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan April 30 – May 2, 2017
- “Discrimination or No Discrimination” (presentation) – Human Resources Professionals Association – Human Resources Professionals Association – January 23, 2020 – Toronto, ON
- “Costs – For Us; By Us” (presentation & paper) – Thunder Bay Law Association Continuing Legal Education Fall Conference – October 19, 2018 – Thunder Bay, ON
- “Cause or No Cause” (presentation) – Human Resources Professionals Association – Northwest Chapter – February 23, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON
- “SLAPP FIGHT 2.0 – Developments in Anti-SLAPP motions since August 30, 2018” (presentation & paper) – Thunder Bay Law Association Continuing Legal Education Fall Conference – October 25, 2019 – Thunder Bay, ON
Bar Admission
2013 – Ontario
Education
- 2006 – University of King’s College – Bachelor of Journalism (Honours)
- 2011 – Bond University – Juris Doctor
Biography
Tyra is a lawyer with Cheadles LLP. She practices in the area of family law. Prior to joining Cheadles, Tyra has worked in the area of family law in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout, Ontario.
Tyra graduated with her Juris Doctor degree from Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in 2017. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Guelph and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Saskatchewan.
Tyra is born and raised in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and enjoys everything Northwestern Ontario has to offer. While not practicing law, Tyra enjoys spending time outdoors, skiing, running, cycling, swimming, fishing, and socializing with friends and family.
Education
2009 – University of Guelph – Honours Bachelor of Arts
2013 – University of Saskatchewan – Masters of Arts
2017 – Bora Laskin Faculty of Law – Juris Doctor
Bar Admission
2017 – Ontario
Biography
Don devotes a substantial portion of his practice to labour relations matters. He regularly appears before courts of various levels, the Ontario Labour Relations Board and at grievance arbitrations. Don also negotiates on behalf of management for first-contract situations and renewals of collective agreements.
In addition to labour law, a significant portion of his practice is dedicated to education law.
Don has been engaged in the academic community as both a clinical instructor and a lecturer at Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. As a clinical instructor, Don lead sessions on Professional Responsibility dealing with the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the developing jurisprudence in the area of legal ethics. Don was also a sessional instructor for the Faculty’s Labour and Employment Law Course, dedicating half of the course to the field of Labour Law and the other half to Employment Law and Litigation.
In the 1980 – 1981 academic year, Don was an associate professor at Osaka Gakuin University in Japan, instructing in the fields of Comparative Law and Anglo Canadian-Japanese Legal Systems.
Don is a Certified Labour Law Specialist in Ontario.
Professional Associations
- Canadian Bar Association, CAPSLE (Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education)
- Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education
- North American-Japanese Friendship Foundation
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- The Advocates Society
- Thunder Bay Law Association
Bar Admission
- 1979 – Ontario
- 1993 – Roll of Solicitors of the Supreme Court of England and Wales
Education
- 1974 – University of Western Ontario – Economics
- 1977 – University of Western Ontario – LLB
- 1980 – University of Cambridge – LLM
Biography
Cody is a lawyer at Cheadles LLP, where he works in multiple areas of law, focusing on municipal law, real estate law, Aboriginal law, and corporate law. The bulk of Cody’s practice is advising Municipalities on private-public partnerships, by-law drafting, commercial and residential real estate, tax enforcement, and matters related to the Planning Act, the Municipal Act, the Municipal Elections Act, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. He also acts for private companies and individuals on Municipal-related matters and has appeared for his clients at the Ontario Land Tribunal and Superior Court of Justice. Cody also routinely assists large institutional clients maneuver the intricacies of Aboriginal and First Nations Law, specifically partnerships and property-related matters.
Cody was born and raised in Thunder Bay and is active within the community. He was elected to Thunder Bay City Council (Neebing Ward) for the 2018-2022 term and served as a councillor on many committees and boards.
In law school, Cody was selected by his peers to be the Valedictorian of the graduating class of 2019. Cody was active in the Lakehead University Student Union during his undergraduate studies and was a member of the Lakehead University Senate. Before practicing law, Cody worked in Indigenous business consulting and as a project support person for a government-led commission known as the Far North Electoral Boundaries Commission. Through his work and education, Cody has gained a unique skill set and is knowledgeable in the complexity of First Nation-Crown relations and business-government relations.
Professional Associations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
- Thunder Bay Law Association
Community Involvement
- Director – Thunder Bay Law Association (2023 – Present)
- City Councillor – City of Thunder Bay (Neebing Ward) (2018-2022)
- Chair – City of Thunder Bay Audit Committee (2018-2022)
- Board Member – Thunder Bay Community Auditorium (2018-2022)
- Member – Sister City Advisory Committee (2018-2022)
- Member – Anti-Racism and Respect Committee (2018-2022)
- City Council Representative – City of Thunder Bay Elders Council (2018-2020)
Bar Admission
Education
- 2016 – Lakehead University – HBA (Indigenous Learning)
- 2019 – Lakehead University – JD
Biography
Nathan is a lawyer at Cheadles LLP and practices with the firm’s litigation team. His practice includes a wide range of disputes, from complex commercial and construction cases to real estate related litigation to a myriad of labour and employment issues. His clients have included private companies of various sizes, public sector entities, financial institutions, professionals, estates, and individuals. Nathan has experience prosecuting and defending claims at trial and on appeal and has successfully represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario and various administrative tribunals.
Professional Associations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
- The Advocates Society
- Thunder Bay Law Association
Community Involvement
- Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay Board of Directors (2019-Present)
- Lakehead University Board of Governors (2017-2019)
Bar Admission
Education
- 2014 – Lakehead University – BA (English/Geography)
- 2015 – Lakehead University – MBA
- 2019 – Lakehead University – JD
Biography
Doug is retired from Cheadles, but his efforts have had a lasting impact, after having joined the firm in 1984.
Doug had many long-standing client relationships, characterized by a strong dedication to understanding his clients’ businesses and the industries in which they operate. As a result, he was well known as responsible, efficient, innovative and results driven. Doug successfully represented clients in many areas of business law including:
- Acquisitions
- First Nation businesses and financing
- Financing arrangements
- Joint ventures
- Licensing and other IT arrangements
- Sales, distribution and franchise arrangements
- Business formation
- Governance issues
- Organizational structuring
- Registration and licensing matters
- Regulatory compliance
- Shareholder, partnership and joint venture agreements
In addition to his extensive practice, Doug mentored many of the lawyers and staff currently employed at Cheadles.
Doug is very active with various not-for-profit organizations in Thunder Bay, and in his retirement, he enjoys relaxing at the cottage, cross-country skiing, and golfing.
Professional Associations
- Member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, 2009 to present
- Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Thunder Bay Law Association, the Advocates Society, a registered trademark agent and the Canadian Bar Association
- Member of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals
- Associate member of the Thunder Bay Real Estate Board and past counsel to such Board for over 3 years
- Past director of the Thunder Bay Law Association
- Past member of the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Council
- Past Member of the Canadian Tax Foundation
- Past Sessional Lecturer, Lakehead University’s School of Business Administration, business law
- Past member of the Consent and Capacity Board
Community Involvement
- Past Director on the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Center Board of Directors ( 4.5 years ) , past member of the Executive Committee and past Chair of the Quality Committee
- Past President of the Canadian Condominium Institute, Northwestern Ontario Chapter, for a period of three years
- Chair of the National Canadian Condominium Institute Constitution committee; Past member of the National Council and Ontario Caucus.
- Member of National Angel Capital Organization (NACO)
- Member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, 2009 to present
- Past President and past Director of the Thunder Bay (Port Arthur) Rotary Club
- Member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Thunder Bay (Port Arthur) Rotary Club
- Past President and member of Thunder Bay Professional Advisors of Thunder Bay
- Past member and treasurer of the Lakehead University Foundation
- Doug was awarded the Thunder Bay Law Association Community Service Award in 2017
Publications & Presentations
- Speaker on various topics to many community groups, including The Thunder Bay Real Estate Board, and many other organizations
- “Becoming an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur”, presentations for the Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway entrepreneur education programs;
- Seminars to Canadian Condominium Institute, National and Northwestern Ontario Chapter on condominium issues;
- Presentations to the Thunder Bay Professional Advisors Association on topics of interest to professionals.
- Seminars to Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund on legal issues of financing and with emphasis on indigenous borrowers.
- Doug has served as a sessional lecturer with Lakehead University’s School of Business Administration and lectures regularly on various topics dealing with franchising for the Business Development Bank of Canada , Confederation College, and other community groups. In addition, Doug is a member of the Port Arthur Rotary Club.
Practice Areas
- Corporate
- Corporate Governance
- Trademarks and trade names
- Technology & Intellectual Property
- Financial Services ( Commercial Debt Recovery )
- Insolvency & Restructuring
- Tax
- Charities & Not-for-Profit
- Corporate Tax
- Private Client Services
- Sales Tax,
- Tax Litigation
- Mining
- Real Estate
- Condominium
- Municipal, Planning & Land Development
- Procurement
- Transactions & Leasing
Bar Admission
1978 – Ontario
Education
- LL.B. ( University of Western Ontario – 1976)
- Call to Ontario Bar (Barrister and Solicitor – 1978)
- University of Windsor – Faculty of Law – Alternate Dispute Resolution Course – 1995
- University of Windsor – Faculty of Law – Alternate Dispute Resolution Advanced Course – 2000
