Gord is the Managing Partner at Valin Partners LLP. He conducts a practice that primarily includes Real Estate, Wills and Estates, and Corporate Law.

Gord is originally from North Bay. Prior to his career in law, Gord worked for five years at Queen’s Park where he served the Premier of Ontario as well as the Ministers of Tourism and Recreation and Natural Resources in the area of Issues Management and as a Communications Advisor.

Gord is active in the community, and dedicates time to causes around the North Bay and area. Some activities include:

• President – Nipissing Law Association
• Board of Directors – PHARA (Physically Handicapped Adult Rehabilitative Association)
• Board of Directors – Laurentian Ski Hill
• Board Trustee – Planned Giving Committee – North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation
• Northeast Regional Representative – FOLA (Federation of Ontario Law Associations)

In his spare time, Gord enjoys golfing, skiing with his kids, and travelling.

Thomas is a Partner at Valin Partners LLP.  Thomas’ practice includes a range of focuses including Employment and Labour Law, Civil Litigation, Construction Law, Real Estate Law, Wills, Estates and Estate Litigation, Municipal Law and Corporate Law.

Thomas was born and raised in London, Ontario. In 2014, as a result of his love of the North Bay / Nipissing / Callander area and the outdoor lifestyle that comes with it, Thomas and his wife made the move “up north” and Thomas joined Valin Partners LLP.

While at work, Thomas and the team at Valin Partners LLP are strong, determined, creative and detail-oriented with an intense focus on creating the best results in the most cost-effective manner for his clients.  Tapping into his extensive experience in many facets of the law, either at court or in the office, Thomas and the team have consistently proven that most disputes can be settled with effective and fierce advocacy and skillful negotiation. While Thomas never underestimates the risks or costs of going to court, when that is the only option, he will not hesitate to use his years of experience to vigorously advocate for his clients’ interests. Thomas is experienced in appearing at all levels of court and administrative tribunals.

Prior to joining the Valin Partners LLP team, Thomas attended Queen’s University where he majored in Classical Studies and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Honors Degree and on the Dean’s Honors List.   Following his adventures at Queens University, Thomas attended the University of Western Ontario School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctorate.   After he obtained his Juris Doctorate, Thomas spent his articling period with a large regional law firm in London.   In addition to Thomas’ academic endeavours, Thomas served as a Naval Intelligence Officer in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserves for over 7 years. He also competed for both the Queens and Western Varsity Track and Field teams where he obtained provincial and national rankings and Academic All Canadian status.

When not at work you will often find Thomas spending time with his family or in the great outdoors; biking, canoeing, swimming, hiking, fishing and hunting with his beloved German Shorthaired Pointers, Jupiter and Luna.

Andrew is a Partner at Valin Partners LLP. Andrew was called to the Bar in 2015. He conducts a practice that primarily includes Real Estate, Wills and Estates, and Corporate Law.

Andrew was born and raised in North Bay and graduated from Chippewa Secondary School. He attended the University of Victoria in British Columbia. Andrew completed his law degree at Bond University on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Andrew originally articled with Valin Partners LLP, before joining the North Bay Court Attorney’s Office as an Assistant Crown Attorney. Andrew decided to return to private practice in 2019, where he became Partners with long time North Bay lawyer Danny W. Ferguson. Upon the retirement of Danny W. Ferguson, Andrew continued to practice as a sole practitioner at Lawson Law prior to joining the Partnership at Valin Partners LLP in January of 2023.

Andrew currently serves as President of the Capitol Centre in North Bay. He was a former member of the Nipissing Law Association and a prior Director of the North Bay Ultimate Players Association.

Andrew and his wife Ashley are the proud parents to two wonderful children. Andrew enjoys golfing and playing ultimate frisbee a sport in which he has won two World Championships while representing Canada.

Kathleen is an Partner at Valin Partners LLP. Her practice is a general practice including Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Corporate/Commercial, Employment Law, Wills, Estate Administration, and Family Law.”

She was raised in North Bay and graduated from St. Joseph-Scollard Hall. She then attended McGill University in Montréal, Québec and went on to complete her law degree at Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia.

Prior to beginning her undergraduate degree, Kathleen spent time working and studying in a French-speaking area in Switzerland, and upon her return to Canada, she worked for Nipissing’s Member of Provincial Parliament.

After five years in Montréal, Kathleen obtained a position teaching in Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam. Her passion for immersion in other cultures brought her back to North Bay to teach in the international department at Canadore College and to work for Nipissing-Timiskaming’s Member of Parliament.

While in law school, she had the opportunity to compete in legal competitions, both in Australia and in Canada. She also partook in Bond’s immigration law, criminal law and community legal clinics. She was awarded First-Class Honours upon graduation.

She sits on the Board of the Family Enrichment Program and Nipissing Condominium Board No. 19 and is a member of the Nipissing District Adult Soccer Club.

In her time away from the office, Kathleen continues to teach and remains active by working out, playing soccer, doing yoga, running, hiking, swimming and cycling. She also enjoys travelling, languages and the arts.

Stephania is an Associate at Valin Partners LLP.  Her primary practice areas include Family Law and Child Protection Law, as well as Real Estate and Wills and Estates.

Stephania is originally from Guelph and completed her undergraduate degree in International Development and Forestry. She attended the Dual Law Degree Program at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, graduating with Magna Cum Laude Honours. She also was awarded the Dual J.D. Program Excellent Scholarship Award, and two book awards in recognition of academic excellence and service to school. Stephania volunteered during Law School through the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre of Windsor as a court worker. Furthermore, she volunteered as chair of the Moot Mentorship Committee providing guidance to incoming law students regarding moot court competitions.

After graduation, Stephania moved to Peace River, Alberta to start her career, practicing primarily in Family Law and Criminal Defence Law. In Peace River, she was a board member of the Peace River Alberta Victim Services Units providing fundraising services to help with the Victim Services Unit.

After spending some time in Windsor, Ontario at a small firm, she moved to North Bay.

Hugh is a Partner at Valin Partners LLP. His practice is a general practice including Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Family and Collaborative Family law.  He has been a practicing Lawyer since March of 1972.  Hugh and Jeffrey Froud practiced law for many years as McLachlan Froud LLP, before joining Valin Partners LLP in 2019.

Hugh is a native of Ottawa where he attended Glebe High School and Carleton University where he attained a B.A.  He graduated from the Ottawa University Law School.  As a summer student he worked at the Law Department of the Ottawa City Hall.  He worked in Toronto briefly as a practicing Lawyer for George Miller before coming to North Bay where he joined Jean Jacques Blais in the practice of law.  He was at one time the local Chair of the Canada Pension Board Review Tribunal.

Hugh has always been involved in the community. He is a Past President of the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce, a Past Chair of the North Bay Crisis Centre and has sat on other community boards.  He is presently a Board Member of LIPI (Low Income People Involvement of Nipissing), and a director of the A.C.T. Service Club.

Hugh continues to play hockey for the IL Eagles Hockey team.  He values the camaraderie of the friends he has made through hockey and other sports.

Hugh is married to Rosanne, they have two children, Rachel and Amanda, both of whom grew up in North Bay.  They are now pursuing their careers in Pembroke and Sault Ste. Marie.

Jeff is a Partner at Valin Partners LLP, practicing in the fields of Real Estate, Wills and Estates, and Corporate and Commercial law. He has been practicing law in North Bay since April, 1976, most recently with Hugh McLachlan as McLachlan Froud LLP, before joining Valin Partners LLP in 2019.

Jeff was raised in Powassan and attended the University of Western Ontario before being admitted to the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. During his summer vacations while in law school, Jeff worked searching property titles in the North Bay and Parry Sound Land Registry offices and has a strong familiarity with the history of real estate conveyancing in Nipissing and Parry Sound Districts.

Jeff is active in the Masonic Lodge. He is a past District Deputy and an honourary 33rd degree member of the Scottish Rite. He enjoys sports, both as a participant and a spectator.

Jeff and his wife, Pat, are fortunate to have their son and daughter and their spouses living in the immediate area, so they can enjoy their four grandchildren.

Jaimee is a lawyer at Valin Partners LLP in Kapuskasing and North Bay.  Her general practice includes Criminal Defence, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, and Wills and Estates.  Jaimee has represented clients at the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, Small Claims Court, and Landlord and Tenant Board.

She completed her Undergraduate Degree in Criminology as a Dean’s List Honour student and she received the J.W. Trusler Proficiency Award, the highest honour in her program.  While obtaining her Undergraduate Degree, Jaimee volunteered with various local organizations and travelled to the Dominican Republic to teach English to young students.

Jaimee went on to obtain her law degree from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  During her time in law school, she served as the Vice President of Communications for the Equality at the Law Society.

Jaimee is currently on the Board of Directors for the Crisis Centre. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling to destinations around the globe, remaining active by running, hiking, and playing hockey, and enjoys spending time with her dog, Ellie.

Jaimee is happy to assist clients across Northeastern Ontario.