We pride ourselves on being forward-thinking. We combine years of experience with creative legal solutions to provide peace of mind for all of our clients.

Our Story

At Low Murchison Radnoff LLP we provide a full range of legal services to our clients. It’s this dedication that has made us one of Ottawa’s most respected law firms since 1938.

Portrait of Craig McFarlane
Portrait of Graeme Postma
Portrait of Catherine Schaefer
Portrait of Kaylee Rich
Portrait of Gary Boyd
Portrait of Matt Brown
Portrait of Nadilyn Mangaliag Calasanz
Portrait of David Debenham
Portrait of Harry A. Gregoropoulos
Portrait of William Honeywell
Portrait of James Jeffcott
Portrait of Christine M. LaCasse
Portrait of Stephanie Luskey
Portrait of Mimi Marrello
Portrait of John N. McFarlane
Portrait of Angela McLaughlin
Portrait of Jamie Marie Mookerjea
Portrait of Barbara Nicholls
Portrait of Ron Petersen
Portrait of Stephanie Ruta
Portrait of Chris Rutherford
Portrait of Mark Schnier
Portrait of Douglas Smyth
Portrait of Michael Wong

Team

The lawyers at Low Murchison Radnoff come from all walks of life and practice in many different areas of law. Some were called to the Bar a few years ago; others have been practicing for over half a century. Some have performed on stage; others have performed on the ski slopes. The thing they all have in common is their dedication to getting the best results for their clients.

Meet Our Lawyers

It takes a special kind of person to work at Low Murchison Radnoff LLP. Somebody whose experience and determination are only matched by their strong client relations skills.
Think you’d fit in well here? view our current opportunities.

Join Our Team

WHAT’S GOING ON AT LOW MURCHISON RADNOFF?
Check here for updates on articles we’ve published, recent cases we’ve litigated, and job opportunities available at the firm.

Community

We don’t just work in this community; we work for the community. When there’s an opportunity for us to help make it a better place, we do what we can. Our lawyers are committed to giving back to the community they serve. Many of our members sit on boards and participate in a number of charitable and community organizations.

Meet Our Lawyers

Questions?

A process server just handed me a “Statement of Claim”. I think I am being sued. What should I do now?

A Statement of Claim is indeed the pleading that commences an action in the Superior Court of Justice. The Rules of Civil Procedure provide that you have a very limited amount of time to respond to the Statement of Claim by serving and filing a Statement of Defence; should you fail to do so, it may be possible for the plaintiff to obtain judgment against you without you being able to respond to the claim. We therefore strongly recommend that you contact an experienced litigation lawyer as soon as you are served in order to avoid missing any important court deadlines and to protect your rights. Low Murchison Radnoff LLP’s Litigation Practice Group has a dedicated team of lawyers with extensive experience in both Small Claims Court and Superior Court of Justice actions, and can assist from both a plaintiff or defendant perspective. Please contact Gary Boyd for more information.

I was just involved in a motor vehicle accident and have been badly injured. How do I obtain compensation from the at-fault driver?

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, even if you are partially at-fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of income, future care costs, loss of housekeeping and home maintenance capacity, amongst other things, in accordance with tort law. You may also be entitled to Statutory Accident Benefits (“SABS”) and whether or not you choose to access these benefits may have an impact on your entitlement to damages in a civil action. Navigating your tort and/or SABS claims can be complicated and an experienced lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in coordinating both claims so as to ensure that this is done properly. Low Murchison Radnoff LLP’s Personal Injury Practice Group is able to assist in all personal injury matters, from motor vehicle accidents to assaults to medical malpractice. Though our main concern in all personal injury matters is our client’s recovery, we understand what a significant impact an accident can have on a person’s life. As a result, our team is committed to obtaining the compensation you deserve for your injuries and ensuring that you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal side of things. Please contact Patricia Simpson for more information.

I have just bought my first home and I will need a lawyer to help me with the closing. Who should I contact?

Congratulations on your new home! Buying a first home is such an exciting time in life, but it can also be very stressful. We recommend that you contact a residential real estate lawyer prior to signing an agreement of purchase in order to obtain legal advice with respect to your rights and obligations as a home buyer. Your lawyer will discuss a number of important matters with you including financing, title insurance, utilities and keys so you can be well prepared for the closing process. LOW MURCHISON RADNOFF LLP’s Real Estate Practice Group has extensive experience in real estate law which allows for efficient and timely service so that our clients can worry about all the other details of their big move! Please contact Michael Wong for more information.

I have started my own business and am thinking of incorporating. Where do I start?

Incorporating a provincially-regulated or federally-regulated corporation may seem like a fairly straightforward process; however, it is imperative that your corporation be structured appropriately in order to ensure that it accomplishes your particular goals and objectives, financial or otherwise. It can be costly and time-consuming to make changes to your corporate structure after incorporation. Consequently, we strongly recommend that you contact a corporate lawyer who has in-depth knowledge of both the provincial and federal legislation prior to incorporation in order to obtain legal advice with respect to your corporate structure options. Low Murchison Radnoff LLP’s Business Law Practice Group has extensive experience in corporate law and can assist you with all of your corporate law needs, from incorporation to dissolution. Please contact one of our Business Law Lawyers for more information.

My partner has just asked me for a divorce. The children are staying with me for now, but I know that we will eventually need to establish a parenting plan for them. Who can help me with this?

Navigating a separation or divorce can be an emotionally-charged experience, particularly where children are involved. Depending on the situation, mediation or arbitration may be an option for resolving the issues flowing from the separation; however, in some cases, litigation is necessary. In either case, an experienced family law lawyer can provide guidance, advice and support to their clients while they work on resolving the outstanding issues. Low Murchison Radnoff LLP’s Family Law Practice Group is well-versed in the various dispute resolution methods commonly used in family law matters, including collaborative family law, and can provide you with the support needed during this emotionally difficult time. Please contact Jim Jeffcott for more information.

I do not have a will. Can I use a “Do-It-Yourself” will kit to prepare one?

Preparing a will can often be much more complicated than simply “filling in the blanks”. In fact, this type of will is generally not valid unless certain criteria are met. In order to ensure that your will is valid and will ensure the distribution of your assets in accordance with your wishes, it is always a good idea to meet with a lawyer who can inform you of your options and rights. Low Murchison Radnoff LLP’s Estates and Succession Planning Practice Group is well-versed in estates and succession planning for clients of all income-levels, including high net worth individuals. Please contact one of our Estate and Succession Lawyers for more information.

Testimonials

Moving from Switzerland to a new city required a lot of adjustment. We had to think about 1001 things. Thank goodness we were introduced to Mark Schnier. Mark is very professional. He is meticulous and extremely precise in his approach. He is quite knowledgeable and he always takes the time for a phone call or email exchange for explanations and assistance, even beyond the commissioned topic.

K. and M., –  Toronto

K, and M., – Toronto

If you want a successful outcome in closing your future real estate transaction, I highly recommend  Mark Schnier.  I was introduced to Mark Schnier  27 years ago.  Since that time  Mark became my Lawyer of choice, and as a realtor, I alway include him in the list of lawyers that I recommend to my family  members and clients.   Mark is the best lawyer I have dealt with throughout my lengthy real estate career.  Mark has represented lots of my clients on their real estate acquisitions and sales and he has never let anybody down, due to his great knowledge, professionalism, responsiveness, patience and tenacity.  I don’t think there are enough superlatives in the Webster dictionary  to describe  Mark’s  devotion to his profession. Not every deal  Mark worked on was easy,  some deals  required  navigation through lots of twists  and turns. Nevertheless, Mark always came out as a winner, and delivered the successful closings to his clients.

O.S. Realtor

 

O.S., Realtor

Nadilyn helped me make decisions on how to proceed. There were some special circumstances and she helped me understand and make the best decisions. All the staff at LMR were exceptional. I wish all businesses were so well run. Thank you!  M.B., Ottawa

M.B., Ottawa

Thank you Nadilyn, for your attention to details, efficiency, and for accommodating to our needs in preparing our wills and POAs. Your service fulfilled and exceeded our expectations. A.N., Ottawa

A.N., Ottawa

My introduction to Mark Schnier came several years ago when he was recommended by a colleague as “the best condo lawyer in Toronto”. Since then I have used his services for various types of real estate purchases and sales. I have also had him correct a previous lawyer’s less-than-efficient work. Plus, I have recommended him to family and friends for both real estate transactions and estate planning. All have come back to me reporting on his excellent work and extra efforts to ensure they were well covered legally. And, notably, those with lesser means or smaller transactions were always treated with the utmost respect.

Mark is knowledgeable, calm, and tenacious. He is also very, very efficient. I always know he will respond quickly with a jargon-free explanation of any relevant legal issues.

Plus, we laugh a lot – while signing documents no less.

I highly recommend Mark Schnier as someone with whom it is always a pleasure to do business.

Dr. Patricia O – University Professor – Toronto

Dr. Patricia O – University Professor – Toronto

Barrie C.  retired lawyer

My wife & I contacted Mark to help with our wills and when we decided to downsize once we became empty nesters.

We both had owned homes before and had done wills that were no longer what we wanted, and both of us already had children when we got together.

Real estate should not be complicated, but Mark gave us a really simple tip that no agent, insurance broker or lawyer had ever mentioned previously, which was and is invaluable.

When it came to do our wills, Mark’s knowledge was helpful, but his patience in helping us to compromise and to get through the complexities with 2 families and RRSP’s and RIFF’s and taxes and probate fees and decisions galore was invaluable.

Barrie C. – retired lawyer

Barrie C. – retired lawyer

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Mark Schnier on a commercial real estate deal and we can’t praise his expertise enough. Mark is not only incredibly personable but also exceptionally conscientious. It’s clear that he has his clients’ personal interests at heart, making one feel like a top priority throughout the entire process.

What truly stood out was Marks methodical approach and unwavering attention to detail. He left no stone unturned, ensuring that every aspect of the deal was thoroughly examined and properly addressed. This level of dedication gave us immense confidence in his abilities.

Another remarkable aspect of working with Mark was his commitment  to timeliness. Nothing was ever delegated or left to chance. All tasks and responsibilities were managed directly by Mark resulting in a streamlined and efficient process. Deadlines were consistently met, and the deal progressed smoothly, thanks to his hands-on approach.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Mark to anyone in need of a real estate lawyer who not only possesses exceptional legal expertise but also values his  clients’ well-being. He is a true professional, and we are grateful for his outstanding  work and the additional advice he has given us as our lawyer.

H.H., – Toronto

H.H., – Toronto

Mark has guided my family through several estate settlements over the past decade or so. His communication is concise and timely and always informative. He takes the stress out of all the paperwork. Highly recommend!

V.T., – Toronto

V.T., – Toronto

I have been working with Mark Schnier on residential real estate property purchases and sales for nearly two decades.  What started as a straightforward client lawyer relationship has grown into much more than that.  Mark has become a trusted advisor not only to myself, but my family.  We count on his solid advice not only for real estate deals, but for our wills and other legal family related matters.  His remarkable attention to detail, persistence, and wise counsel are always greatly appreciated.  His years of experience, and variety of experience, supporting families through often difficult and sometimes emotionally-charged situations is evident.  And when the chips are down, you want Mark on your side.  He’s not only whip-smart… he’s funny too.  I highly recommend bringing Mark into your corner – you won’t be disappointed.

S.K., – Toronto

 

S.K., – Toronto

To know Mark Schnier is to appreciate his outstanding ability to be my lawyer and my friend.I have benefitted from his services for approximately 10 years and I was never disappointed.He was always prompt in returning phone calls or emails and his advice and direction was continually intelligent and useful in all my business and personal matters.

I was sorry to see him relocate ,but my loss is definitely Ottawa’s gain.

S.S., – Toronto

S.S., – Toronto

A very good friend of ours is a personal injury lawyer.  We told him that we needed to create new wills and powers of attorney.  Our previous experience with a Wills and Estates lawyer had not been pleasant and we needed a recommendation. Our lawyer friend is very cautious and meticulous about everything so we knew that a referral from him would be very important to us.

Without hesitation he told us to contact Mark. He told us that Mark is the best wills lawyer and we do not need to look any further.

We took his advice, and we were absolutely thrilled with the work that Mark did for us.

Mark is extremely approachable and knowledgeable.  He is such a friendly person with a wonderful personality and a sharp wit.  He is detail oriented which gave us complete confidence in his work.

Mark made a difficult process very simple for us and completed the work quickly and efficiently. He is always available for any questions we may have and treats us with respect.

It has been a pleasure to work with Mark. He truly is the Wizard of Wills!!!

 

 

S.G. and J.G. – Toronto

Mark is a very knowledgeable and professional lawyer whom we dealt with in setting up our wills.  He provided us with sound and fair advice and was a great liaison with an American lawyer that we needed information from. His replies to our phone calls and  emails were prompt and he always had time to discuss issues that arose at any time. Mark has a great sense of humour and was a pleasure to deal with.

P.L. and E.L. – Toronto

P.L. and E.L., – Toronto

Mark Schnier was recommended to me by a friend and colleague (another lawyer) and I have been grateful to her ever since for the referral.  Mark provided outstanding legal services to us in closing the sale of a rental property in Toronto in 2023, a somewhat complex transaction since there were tenancy issues and a variety of matters with the city to be navigated and resolved.  Mark was proactive, thorough, and highly responsive to all matters.  He paid exceptional attention to detail throughout the entire process, even catching errors our own bank had created and then missed in the discharge of our mortgage.  He went above and beyond what was expected and was an pleasure to work with.  He has inspired our utmost confidence in his professional skills and services, and, without hesitation, we very highly recommend him.

M.R, Law Professor – Toronto

M.R, Law Professor – Toronto

Mark Schnier recently prepared two new wills for me – one “not for probate”, and one “for probate” (in case there will be assets subject to probate).  

He also retitled my properties to include my beneficiaries to ensure that the properties will not be subject to probate. 

He did an excellent job. He is knowledgeable, and creative in his approach to estate and trust planning, and real estate transactions. I am very pleased with the result.

M. L., – Toronto

M. L., – Toronto

I am so glad to have retained Mark for a recent sale and purchase of a condo. He thoroughly explained each step of the process and was easily accessible. His attention to detail and willingness to advocate for me was critical during this stressful time.

M.G., – Toronto

M.G., – Toronto

We, along with our families, have turned to Mark for over 20 years for matters of real estate and estate planning and contracts/legal matters.  His exceedingly meticulous attention to detail has consistently, on numerous occasions, protected us from difficulties.  He has offers clear, concise legal advice and his experience has been invaluable.  He also makes us laugh, which is often needed.  Thank you Mark!

J.R., – Toronto

J.R., – Toronto

Mark Schnier is a competent,  caring, responsible lawyer.  He responds immediately to his client’s concerns and his legal advice is well researched .   His fees are fair and quite often he goes beyond his fees to better accommodate his client’s requests and concerns.  I highly recommend Mark Schnier to anyone in need of sound legal advice.

J.S., Retired School Teacher – Toronto

J.S., Retired School Teacher – Toronto

I wish to acknowledge the exceptional legal services provided by LMR Lawyers, in particular, Mark Schnier.  Mark is a veteran real estate and estates lawyer with over 40 years of experience.  Mark’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in both real estate and estates law is unparalleled. His ability to navigate complex transactions and foresee potential issues is nothing short of remarkable. I have hired Mark for both real estate and estate matters over the years and he never ceases to amaze me.  I, myself, am a lawyer and have sought out Mark’s advice both as a colleague and a client. His extraordinary attention to detail is only surpassed by his compassionate approach in dealing with sensitive matters such as estate planning and succession law.  Mark’s level of professionalism and

commitment to client satisfaction is unsurpassed.  Even myself – a lawyer of over 25 years experience – I failed to appreciate all the complexities involved when I engaged Mark in my family’s estate planning.  Mark, went above and beyond to ensure that me and my family fully understood every aspect of what was being done and why.  He patiently answering all our questions and addressed any concerns we had.  Mark’s relaxed, clear and concise communication style was invaluable in demystifying the process for my family. He even received my mother’s stamp of approval. In brief, I wholeheartedly recommend Mark Schnier to anyone seeking expert guidance in real estate and estates matters. His dedication, expertise and unwavering commitment to his clients make him a standout in the legal profession.

 

OK, maybe a spread it on a little thick and used a thesaurus to say the same thing 10 different way but this is definitely how I feel.

D.R. – Lawyer, Thornhill

 

D.R., Lawyer – Thornhill

We want to thank Ms. Calasanz for the great work on redrafting our wills.  We appreciate the thoroughness, and expert guidance. Thank you C. and A. H.

C.H, Ottawa

I recently got my Will and POA done through Nadilyn.  She was very thorough, took her time explaining.  She was pleasant to work with.  Definitely would recommend her to other clients.

S.S., Ottawa

Please accept this letter of endorsement, for the work that David Debenham Has performed, on Behalf of the Nautical Lands Group, the companies’ partners, and all of the affiliate companies, of NLG.

David’s tremendous attention to the finer points of the law and his comprehensive knowledge of construction law, specifically, served the company well in all of our pleadings and various activities.

The approach that Mr. Debenham took was always very practical and with providing NLG with “best in class” advice, while exercising a practical approach to each and every file. His desire to provide value in each and every instance did not go unnoticed, as he constantly reminded us of cost-effective approaches, to achieving the best results.

We have recommended Mr. Debenham to other potential clients in need of sage legal advice, as it regards Construction Law and will continue to do so moving forward.

On a personal front, I have been fortunate to be able to use David as a resource on many fronts, including document preparation, which will serve NLG well for many years to come.

K. P., Carp

K.P., Carp

I was rear-ended on a trip to Canada to visit my children. I live in the US, so there were a lot of differences between how health care is handled and the personal injury laws work between the two countries that made this case very complicated.  Christine LaCasse did a wonderful job of navigating the differences and advocating on my behalf. She made time to meet us to work with our schedule when my wife and I travelled to Canada.

D.P., Ottawa

I hired Jim Jeffcott as my collaborative lawyer during my separation. He was a very good and responsive communicator, always keeping me updated on my file and ensuring I understood each step of the process. He was realistic with what options I had, which instilled faith that he was knowledgeable and had my best interests in mind. Jim worked well in the face of opposition and kept it professional the entire time. I felt confident in his abilities, and am satisfied with the outcome of my case.

M.N., Ottawa

Christine, you kept my spirits up over the many years and made me realize that I would see the light at the end of the tunnel. You imparted much advice and wisdom. It was a pleasure to have worked with you.

J. B., Kingston, Ontario

I would like to commend Harry and the team at Low Murchison Radnoff for providing excellent legal services in connection with my MBO purchase transaction and was instrumental in getting the deal completed successfully. I was very impressed with the level of dedication, professionalism and commitment to the process. I look forward to working with you as our corporate counsel and would recommend your services wholeheartedly.

C.W. Client

“I have been working alongside Mr. Jeffcott for 2 years. During my child custody case, he has been very supportive and thorough. Mr. Jeffcott takes the time to explain, and provide support and shows empathy and understanding with my questions and concerns. His response to my emails and phone messages are all done quickly and detailed. When we have been before a Judge his knowledge of my case is displayed with professionalism. I am able to talk to Mr. Jeffcott, he helps me relax and put my trust in his advice.”

S.L., Client

We have known and been a client of James Jeffcott for 20+years.   He has been our lawyer for real-estate transactions, generation of Wills and Powers of Attorney documents, and a valued adviser in estate planning. We cannot overemphasize the quality of work that James has done for us, all based on his deep knowledge and experience in family law combined with his attention to detail. Feedback from friends whom we have referred to James confirms that he will spend time to ‘dig deep’ to get to know your true needs and wishes. You can be assured that documents and advice from James will lead you in a positive direction. We are pleased to recommend James without reservation.

G.R. & W.R., Clients

“I have been waiting too long to acknowledge the superior support you have given Ottawa Foyers Partage over the years. Your careful and respectful investigation of our issues and complete identification of options has meant that we feel assured that we can make informed and productive decisions and that our directions are on the right track. Your resolution of a number of very complicated issues has been totally completely satisfactory. In each instance, the outcome for Ottawa Foyers Partage has been positive and what we hoped could be achieved. Thank you so much.”

Joanne Lee, Ottawa Foyers Partage

“Thanks again for your support, professionalism and quick response to address all of the details of this [matter]. You made the process easier for me and my family.”

C.D., Client

“All of your services were worth every penny!”

C.D., Client

“Doug Smyth helped us with new contracts for our business. The process from start to finish was efficient and professional. He did a lot more than just draft contracts. Doug and his team reviewed our old contracts, got to understand our business and made recommendations that have had a very positive impact on our business. We went into the process looking for a refresh of our contracts, but we got an education in law and business. I was very impressed with the welcoming environment and friendly staff. I highly recommend LMR.”

Derek Cosgrove, Seoplus+

“Thursday’s decision was only reached because of your thoroughness, determination and professionalism. Thank you for your guidance and support. Thank you for everything you have done and thank you for helping me get my life back.”

J.T., Client

Hello Christine,

I would like to thank you for having booked a room at the courthouse and having spent your whole afternoon participating in this activity. I know that you are extremely busy at work and with your family, so I appreciate what you did even more. The students really enjoyed their experience. As you will have noticed, there is still much work that needs to be done; however, your comments were relevant and very useful. It is good for the students to receive important feedback from a person with practical knowledge. I think they realized that arguing a case before the Small Claims Court is not as easy as it may seem! I believe that this activity was for them the climax of their training. For them, being able to plead their case before a judge like you made all the difference! Thank you for everything!

L. D., La Cité Collégiale, Ottawa

A few years back, my spouse and I were in need of legal services. That is when we met Ms. Christine LaCasse. Ms. LaCasse, a very professional lawyer with high legal skills, met with us and took the time required to discuss the details of our situation. She gave us advice and immediately took charge of our case.

Ms. LaCasse was able to maintain a daily control over the legal steps while making sure to inform us regularly of the various procedures. We certainly felt like we were in good hands throughout those legal steps. It is without any hesitation that I would recommend Ms. Christine LaCasse to my family, friends or anyone else in need of legal services offered by a reliable and professional law firm.

B.R.C., Rockland

To Christine LaCasse and her team,

I want to thank you for all the work you’ve done on my behalf since last fall. I am very happy that I chose you to assist me in my dealings with the insurance company. I would not hesitate to work with you again! That being said, I hope not to have another accident any time soon. Thank you again.

K.L., Ottawa

Thank you Christine. I want to express my appreciation for your offer to settle document – it was superb. You captured my position exactly, revealed the balance of concessions and requirements beautifully and put enough “teeth” into our position to make it the most level playing field for negotiations yet.

A.E., Ottawa

I highly recommend Christine LaCasse to anyone looking for a litigation lawyer. Having counsel who is professional, knowledgeable, approachable and treats you with understanding and compassion during this time was a blessing. J’ai aussi beaucoup apprécié le fait que Madame LaCasse est bilingue, car souvent, dans des situations émotives, on ne peut s’exprimer que dans sa langue maternelle.

C.T., Toronto

I am a lawyer and I hired Christine LaCasse to argue an appeal. I found Christine to be experienced, professional and pleasant to deal with. Christine had a common-sense approach to the issues and to the parties involved in the matter. In preparing and arguing this rather complicated appeal, Christine was well-researched and organized. She had a solid grasp of the issues and was able to deal in a professional manner with the often difficult questions posed by the opposing party and the Court. It was a pleasure working with Christine and I am happy to recommend her.

H.W., Belleville

Christine LaCasse took over my personal injury lawsuit from another lawyer. The service we received from Christine was outstanding, and resulted in a very successful win. Christine was very professional, organized and caring, and she made my family feel comfortable throughout the whole process, which was entirely new to us. I highly recommend Christine to anyone who is looking for an experienced, efficient, results-driven lawyer.

J.V and R.V., Chalk River

BUYERS BEWARE!

Topic: Real Estate January 31, 2023 by Low Murchison Radnoff Continue Reading

School Location

Topic: Family Law October 6, 2022 by Low Murchison Radnoff Continue Reading

What is my date of Separation? Evidentiary Sources to Consider

Topic: Family Law October 4, 2022 by Low Murchison Radnoff Continue Reading

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