Christie/Cummings

Stephen is a founding partner of Christie/Cummings. He advises clients in the areas of corporate law, estate planning and administration and residential and commercial real estate. Prior to founding Christie/Cummings in 1991, Stephen was a partner with a mid-sized Toronto law firm. Prior to that, Stephen was in-house counsel with an international mining company.

Mary Anne is a founding partner of Christie/Cummings. She practices civil, family, estates and construction litigation. She also advises clients in estate planning. Prior to founding Christie/Cummings in 1991, Mary Anne was an associate with a mid-sized Toronto law firm. Mary Anne has successfully argued at the Supreme Court of Canada, Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Divisional Court and the Superior Court of Justice.

Jason practices family law, civil and estates litigation out of Christie/Cummings' Collingwood office. He joined the firm in 2011 after practicing for several years at a large Toronto law firm. In his family law practice, Jason advises clients on resolving disputes about separation, divorce, custody, access, child support, spousal support and the division of property and debt.

Anyone who has been exposed to our legal system can tell you: the courts are a terrible place for families in crisis. The first C is conflict. Conventional family law is intensely adversarial. Each party hires their own lawyer and experts who put their case forward in the strongest terms. The system has no good way of dealing with the emotional traumas and anxieties arising out of divorce.

The Ontario legislature has unanimously passed new consumer protection laws, placing new requirements on realtors, debt settlement services and door-to-door water heater salespeople. Realtors may now charge a fee, a commission, or a combination of both for the services they offer. The goal is to allow consumers and realtors greater flexibility in establishing realtor compensation.