OUR LAWYERS

BRIAN H. RENKEN

Call to the Bar - 1983
Bachelor of Laws, University of Ottawa - 1981
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Western Ontario - 1978

Brian Renken has practiced law for 29 years, with his main areas of practice being civil including family law. He frequently argues cases in the Owen Sound, Walkerton and Collingwood courts and has successfully represented clients at the Ontario Court of Appeal on numerous occasions. Brian also has a general practice, assisting clients with real estate matters, wills and estates.

Brian joined the firm as an associate in 1983 after his call to the Bar. He was President of the Grey County Law Association from 1998 to 2000 and has been active as a volunteer in many other local community organizations. He is a Past President of Grey Bruce Health Services Board of Directors and the Past Treasurer of the Meaford Hospital Foundation and continues on as a member of that Board, presently as vice president.  Brian is presently a member of the Central West Region division of the Ontario Bar Association and is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association.

Brian is kept busy with the demands of work and family, but when he does have spare time, he enjoys running, golf, and most sports. Everyone in the firm is proud of the fact that Brian was a member of the Canadian Olympic Wrestling Team in 1976 and 1980!

ALISHA L. JOHNSON

Call to the Bar - 2007
Bachelor of Laws, University of Windsor Law School - 2006
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Wilfrid Laurier University - 2003

Alisha joined the firm in December 2008, as an associate lawyer. Originally from Owen Sound, Alisha and her husband are excited to be back in the area and closer to family and friends.

Prior to joining SER, Alisha worked in the Toronto office of an international business law firm where she focused on commercial real estate and corporate law. Alisha has continued her business law and real estate practice at SER, in addition to practicing in the area of wills and estates.

Alisha recently joined the Meaford Hospital Foundation Board and is looking forward to greater involvement in the Meaford community.

GAVIN M. GRANT

Call to the Bar Ontario- 2005
Call to the Bar Alberta- 1997
Call to the Bar Saskatchewan- 1997

Bachelor of Laws, University of Sakatchewan - 1996
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Toronto - 1992

Gavin Grant joined the firm in August 2011, as an associate lawyer.  With family in the area, Gavin is excited to be working in the southern Georgian Bay region.

Prior to joining SER, Gavin worked in Calgary for a general practice law firm where he focused primarily on family law, civil litigation and criminal defence.  Gavin will continue to practice family law, civil litigation and criminal law while at SER.

When Gavin is not in the office or in a courthouse, he may well be joined on a ski slope, hiking trail, or at the gym.

D. GRANT SCHEIFELE, Q.C., (Retired 2011)

Call to the Bar - 1962
Bachelor of Laws, Osgoode Hall Law School - 1960
Bachelor of Arts, University of Toronto - 1957

Grant Scheifele had 49 years experience in civil litigation and shared that experience through his position as counsel to the firm. Grant was certified by the Law Society as a Specialist in Civil Litigation in 1988. He had restricted his practice to serious personal injury cases.

Grant was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1974.

Grant had a well deserved reputation as a highly effective lawyer, not only in Grey, Bruce and Simcoe counties, but also in the Toronto area, where he has had numerous files with insurance defence lawyers.

Community involvement is important to Grant, as it is with all our lawyers. He has served as President of the Grey Owen Sound Childrens Aid Society, Chairman of the Board of Meaford Hospital, and is a former director of the Advocate's Society.

When Grant was not in the office or in a courthouse, he would have been found on a ski slope, on a tennis court, or at the conferences of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association.

Grant retired from the practice of law on December 31, 2011.

J. C. (JOE) ERSKINE, (Retired 2010)

Call to the Bar - 1970
Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Ontario - 1968
Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Ontario - 1965

Joe Erskine had focused on solicitor's work throughout his almost 4 decades of practice. He had expertise in real estate and mortgage transactions, corporate commercial matters, and wills and estates. His real estate practice had been booming with the significant growth and development of the Thornbury, Town of Blue Mountains and Collingwood areas.

The firm acted as the municipal solicitors for the Municipality of Meaford and consequently, Joe had dealt with with many municipal law matters acting for residents, and formerly as solicitors for the Municipality of Meaford.

Joe was born and raised in Meaford and had contributed to the community in many volunteer positions over the years. He had been President of the Meaford Kinsmen Club, Chairman of the Arena Board, and Co-Chair of the Save the Harbour Committee. He was Past President of the Grey County Law Association. His favourite recreational activity was golf.

Unfortunately, Joe passed away December 25th, 2011. 

 

OUR STAFF

Our 6 dedicated and experienced legal assistants.