TRUST

Katherine is the founder of Kimel Law Group. She practices in the areas of Estate, Trusts, Capacity and Fiduciary Litigation including Power of Attorney Disputes, Guardianships, Claims for Dependant Support, Elder Law, the administration of Estates and Trusts, as well as Estate Planning.

Katherine was called to the bar in 2016 and has worked exclusively in estate and trust litigation, including dependant support applications, capacity issues related to will challenges, power of attorney disputes, gift disputes, and trust issues. Katherine is passionate about finding legal solutions for her clients. Katherine is also enthusiastic about seeking cost-effective results through alternative dispute resolution when possible.

Katherine graduated from Western University in 2012 with a B.A. Double Honours Major in Criminology and Sociology and a J.D from Western Law in 2015. She was also the recipient of the University of Western Ontario Gold Medal for the highest standing average as a sociology major.

In her personal life, Katherine is an avid foodie and loves checking out new restaurants. She is also passionate about spending time with family, friends and her golden retriever!

— Katherine Kimel, Founder

Fred works as an associate with Kimel Law Group. Fred started at the firm in early 2023, having previously worked as an associate at a mid-sized downtown Toronto estate litigation firm and as a trust officer at a major Canadian financial institution. Fred’s practice includes estate, trust, and capacity litigation, and estate planning. Prior to his Call to the Bar in 2020, Fred articled at a boutique civil litigation firm in Vaughan. Fred is an alumni of Windsor Law, where he graduated with his J.D. in 2019, and of the University of Toronto, where he finished an Honours B.A. in history in 2015.

As a litigator, Fred is passionate about finding just and reasonable settlements to what are often complicated and emotionally charged family disputes. As an estate planner, Fred’s goal is to devise effective succession plans for clients that most accurately reflect their wishes and will prevent future conflict. Fred has experience with proceedings involving will challenges, power of attorney disputes, guardianship applications, and dependant support claims, and has appeared numerous times in front of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

In his free time, Fred enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, playing hockey, and riding his bike along the lake.

Daniel is dedicated to providing clients with practical, timely advice and effective advocacy.

He started his career in estates and trusts as a trust officer. He worked at two major Canadian financial institutions for several years, where he dealt with a variety of issues arising out of large and complex trusts and estates and power of attorney matters. Prior to joining Kimel Law Group in May 2023, Daniel has worked at a boutique law firm in Toronto specializing in estate litigation.

Daniel has a solid legal background in both civil and common law jurisdictions, having worked in Ontario and Italy for several years and completed his legal studies at the University of Bologna (Italy) and the University of Toronto. Daniel was called to the Ontario bar in 2022. Daniel is bilingual in English and Italian and has a professional working proficiency in Spanish.
When not researching the law or advocating for his clients, you can find Daniel sailing dinghies on Lake Ontario, playing a pick-up basketball game, or planning his next trip.

Giancarlo is an associate at Kimel Law Group whose practice comprises estate, trust, and capacity litigation. He joined the firm in the summer of 2022 after practicing at a boutique estate litigation firm in downtown Toronto. He has advised clients in complex matters at various stages of litigation. He has made numerous appearances before the Ontario Superior Court and has provided assistance in matters before the Court of Appeal and various administrative tribunals. Prior to his call to the bar in 2020, he completed his articles at a large, full-service firm in downtown Toronto.

Giancarlo’s passion for estate litigation is grounded in his appreciation for the legal and equitable principles it concerns, as well as his deep interest in identifying creative and meaningful solutions in circumstances that can often involve complex estates and succession plans, high emotion, and unexpected challenges. Giancarlo is always focussed on reliably forwarding clients’ interests in a manner that is cognizant of the law and sensitive to the delicate human dynamics at play.

Jonathan is an associate at Kimel Law Group whose practice focuses on both estate litigation as well as estate planning. He joined the firm in the summer of 2023 after practicing at a boutique estate, trust and elder law firm in Mississauga. He has experience in all stages of complex litigation and has had several appearances before the Ontario Superior Court as well as the Ontario Court of Justice. Prior to his call to the bar in 2020, Jonathan worked at a boutique litigation firm in Toronto, practicing in the areas of estate litigation, civil litigation, family law as well as criminal law.

Jonathan has advocated for clients on a broad range of estate law issues including cases involving will challenges, dependent relief claims, power of attorney challenges and passing of accounts. He is sensitive to how emotionally driven estate litigation can be and prioritizes compassion as he works with clients and navigates the litigation process. As an estate planner, Jonathan’s priority is ensuring that his client’s estate planning documents reflect their intentions and meet their planning objectives.

When not at work, Jonathan can be found tackling woodworking projects, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and hiking trails around Ontario.

Melissa is an Associate Lawyer at Kimel Law Group practicing in estate, trust, and capacity litigation. Her practice includes will challenges, dependant relief applications, and power of attorney disputes.

Melissa carefully listens to each client’s circumstances and develops tailored solutions to address their individual needs. She is committed to advocating for her clients’ best interests and provides effective and practical resolutions for their disputes.

Melissa received her Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, with a specialization in Litigation, Dispute Resolution, and the Administration of Justice. During law school she was involved in numerous leadership roles including serving as the President of Osgoode Hall’s Mature Students Association for two terms. She was a recipient of Osgoode’s Legal and Literary Society’s Graduating Student Award for Exceptional Leadership.

Melissa is a Member of the Advocates’ Society Estate Litigation Practice Group, and an Affiliate Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP.)

Melissa is part of the Teaching Team for the Lawyer as Negotiator course at Osgoode Hall Law School. She also acts as a Coach for the Law Society of Ontario’s Coach and Advisor Network.

Melissa sits on various executive committees including the Baycrest Foundation’s Professional Advisory Committee, the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), and the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto’s Young Practitioners Committee.

Melissa also acts as a mentor through mentorship programs including the Osgoode Mentor Program, and the Huron Alumni Mentorship Program.

Prior to law school, Melissa received a Master of Arts from York University, and an Honors Specialization Bachelor of Arts from Western University.