Alexandra V. Mayeski
Founding Principal Lawyer
T: 416-855-9552 x 101
E: amayeski@maylexlitigation.com
Alexandra is the founder of MayLex Litigation P.C. Her practice focuses on estates, trusts and capacity litigation, as well as professional negligence. She has acted in will challenges, will rectification and interpretation applications, variation of trust applications, power of attorney disputes, dependant support claims, and guardianship applications. She also has been counsel in numerous Consent and Capacity Board appeals before the Courts relating to treatment issues under the Health Care Consent Act, 1996 and the Mental Health Act. Separate and apart from estate matters, Alexandra also has an expertise in freedom of information and privacy matters and regularly advocates on behalf of clients before privacy regulators, including the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, and has argued freedom of information and privacy related judicial review cases before the Courts.
As an advocate, Alexandra effectively and persuasively articulates her client’s story with a view to advancing their legal position and obtaining the most just result. She prides herself in being responsive to her clients’ needs and in her ability to provide straightforward and practical legal advice. She views civility as an essential element of a lawyer’s professional responsibility whether interacting with clients, other lawyers or the Courts.
Alexandra has appeared before all levels of the Ontario Courts, including the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal. She has been recognized in “The Best Lawyers in Canada” in the area of Trusts and Estates. Alexandra is also a member of The Advocates’ Society (TAS) and is currently on the executive of TAS’s Estates Litigation Practice Group as Secretary (2023-2024). She is a member of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and is regularly asked to speak on various estates, trusts and capacity topics for the OBA, as well as the Law Society of Ontario.
Before being called to the Ontario Bar in 2002, Alexandra attended law school at the University of Alberta after obtaining an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto.
When not practising law, Alexandra spends her time watching her son play hockey and watching her daughter compete in dressage (horse ballet) shows in Ontario and Florida. She also loves riding horses, attempts to play guitar and enjoys good food and fine wine.
Education
Certificate in Health Law, Osgoode Hall Law School, Osgoode Professional Development – 2012
Call to the Ontario Bar – 2002
Bachelor of Laws, University of Alberta – 2001
Master of Arts, University of Toronto – 1998
Honours Bachelor of Arts, University of Toronto – 1996
Presentations & Publications
“Rights and Obligations of Attorneys and Guardians” Osgoode Intensive Program in Wills & Estates 2022: Powers of Attorney and Guardianship – Non-contentious and Contentious Matters, April 20, 2022
“Navigating Guardianship Applications”, with Amelia Yiu, Estate Litigation – A Primer (OBA), February 2, 2022
“Top Cases in Estates Law”, The Advocates’ Society Estates Litigation Practice Group, January 21, 2022“Case Law Update”, LSO: 24th Estates and Trusts Summit (Day 2), October 21, 2021.
“Rights and Obligations of Attorneys and Guardians” Osgoode Intensive Program in Wills & Estates 2021: Powers of Attorney and Guardianship – Non-contentious and Contentious Matters, April 27, 2021
“Update on Medical Assistance in Dying”, LSO: 23rd Estates and Trusts Summit (Day 1), October 7, 2020.
“Testing the Reliability of Video Evidence”, Essential Evidence Series for Estate Litigators (OBA), August 20, 2020
Co-Chair with Nimali Gamage LSO: 22nd Annual Estates & Trusts Summit 2019 (Day 2), October 17, 2019.
Co-Chair with Nimali Gamage LSO: 21st Annual Estates & Trusts Summit 2018 (Day 2), October 11, 2018.
“Deathbed Retainers”, LSO: 6 Minute Estates Lawyer 2018, May 3, 2018.
“Succession Planning for Lawyers”, with Suzana Popovic-Montag, LSUC E-Course, November 8, 2017.
“Sale, Transition or Closure – The Challenges & Benefits in Creating a Succession Plan for Lawyers”, 1000 Islands Legal Conference, September 29, 2017.
“Succession Planning for Litigators”, Law Society of Upper Canada, panel presentation with Ian Hull, Suzana Popovic-Montag and Rod Ferguson, May 25, 2017.
“The BMO-Case – Discrimination in Wills Decision of the Court of Appeal”, LSUC: The Six-Minute Estates Lawyer 2017, May 8, 2017.
“Annotated Power of Attorney for Personal Care”, co-authored and co-presented with Hilary Laidlaw and Nimali Gamage, LSUC The Annotated Powers of Attorney for Property and for Personal Care, February 24, 2017.
“Succession Planning for Your Legal Practice” co-authored/presented with Kathleen McDormand, LSUC: Practice Gems: Probate Essentials 2016, September 20, 2016.
“Advising clients on powers of attorney for personal care and end of life issues”, LSUC: 17th Annual Estates & Trusts Summit 2014 (Day 2), November 4, 2014.
“Who is a Spouse? Navigating and Avoiding Spousal Claims on Death”, Chair of Program, Ontario Bar Association, September 16, 2014.
Affiliations
Ontario Bar Association – Trusts & Estates Section
The Advocates’ Society
Toronto Lawyers’ Association
Education
Call to the Ontario Bar – 2018
Juris Doctor, Lakehead University, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law – 2018
Bachelor of Arts, Lakehead University – 2013
Presentations & Publications
“Orders for Directions” (OBA), May 16, 2023
Affiliations
Thunder Bay Law Association
The Advocates’ Society
Ontario Bar Association – Trusts & Estates Section
Karen J. Hagman
Lawyer
T: 416-855-9552 x 104
E: khagman@maylexlitigation.com
Karen is a lawyer at MayLex Litigation Professional Corporation. She practices in the areas of estate, trust and capacity litigation. Karen also has a strong background in family law and civil litigation. Home for Karen is Thunder Bay, Ontario where she has successfully represented clients throughout Northern Ontario in numerous actions, applications and motions before the Courts. Karen was called to the bar in 2018 after completing her J.D. from Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law from which she graduated on the Dean’s List for academic excellence. Karen also holds a B.A. from Lakehead University.
Karen is a skilled negotiator and litigator. Karen listens to her clients’ individual needs, recognizing that there is no one size fits all approach to practicing law. A strong advocate, Karen is committed to providing the highest level of excellence and achieving the best results for her clients. Karen looks at the bigger picture and has a reputation for being smart, candid and to the point. Karen services clients all over Ontario including the Thunder Bay Area and the Greater Toronto Area.
Karen is a member of the Thunder Bay Law Association, The Advocates’ Society and the Ontario Bar Association. Outside of work, Karen is an active volunteer in her home community of Thunder Bay. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) and is the Chair of the RFDA’s Governance and Risk Committees. Karen also serves on the Board of the Directors for the Children’s Centre Thunder Bay (CCTB) and is a member of the CCTB Quality Committee and the CCTB Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Work Group.
When not practicing law or volunteering, Karen spends her time hiking and exploring the beautiful landscapes of Northern Ontario. She also enjoys practicing hot yoga, especially on those -40C Thunder Bay winter days.
Alice E. Colquhoun
Lawyer
T: 416-855-9552 x 106
E: acolquhoun@maylexlitigation.com
Alice is a lawyer at MayLex Litigation P. C. She practices in the areas of estate, trust and capacity litigation and has a strong background in all areas of civil litigation. She regularly appears in the Superior Court of Justice. Alice is based in Thunder Bay, but able to serve clients throughout the province.
Alice is a skilled and knowledgeable litigator. Her clients appreciate her calm and practical advice, her ability to counsel them through stressful and demanding situations, and her confident and direct advocacy.
Alice graduated from Queen’s University in 2014 with an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts with distinction and a major in English literature and a minor in political studies. Alice then received her Juris Doctor from Queen’s University Faculty of Law in 2017. In law school, Alice was named to the Dean’s Honour List in her first two years and was awarded academic prizes for highest standing in courses in Evidence and Conflict of Law.
Following law school, Alice gained valuable experience articling at a leading litigation boutique in Toronto and then developed a broad and busy civil and estate litigation practice in Thunder Bay. Alice is a member of the Thunder Bay Law Association and The Advocates’ Society.
Alice is currently a member of the Young Advocates’ Standing Committee of The Advocates’ Society and works with young advocates across the country to promote the interests of young advocates. Through her work with The Advocates Society, Alice has served on the standing committee for advocacy and practice and various task forces responding to issues facing the profession.
When not working Alice enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. She has hiked extensively across Canada and around the world. In 2019 she hiked the 2192-mile Appalachian Trail.
Education
Call to the Ontario Bar – 2018
Juris Doctor, Queens University, Faculty of Law – 2017
Honour’s Bachelor of Arts – 2014
Affiliations
Thunder Bay Law Association
The Advocates’ Society
Ontario Bar Association – Trusts & Estates Section
Carrie Venton
Office Manager/Law Clerk
T: 416-855-9552 x 105
E: cventon@maylexlitigation.com
Carrie is our Office Manager/Law Clerk who keeps our firm running smoothly and efficiently. Carrie received her Legal Administrative Diploma from Mohawk College and has also explored her interests of sociology and psychology while completing courses at Mohawk College and McMaster University. She has worked over 15 years as a Legal and Office Administrator, including in the areas of estate litigation, professional negligence, construction law and bankruptcy and insolvency law. She is dedicated to providing excellent service to our clients and litigation support for our lawyers.
In her free time, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family and playing baseball. Carrie has two young sons that keep her life interesting, very busy and she enjoys every minute of it.
Cheyenne Chow
Law Clerk
T: 416.855.9552 x 102
Cheyenne is a Law Clerk at the firm and is a crucial member of the litigation team. In 2022, she obtained an Honours B.A. in Law & Society, with a minor in Criminology from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also received a course certificate and specialization pertaining to Gladue Principles within the Canadian Criminal Justice System and Indigenous People. While at University, Cheyenne was an executive member in the Faculty of Liberal Arts Students’ Association and a member of the Brantford Mock Trial Club. Her passion for law began in high school and she is currently in the process of applying to law school. She is keenly interested in capacity litigation as well as Indigenous and Aboriginal law, Family and Elder law.
Cheyenne’s hobbies and passions include film photography, true crime podcasts, archaeological and nature documentaries, hiking, travelling, and volunteering at community centers that support at risk youth in Toronto.
