Garnik is an Associate Lawyer licensed to practice in both Canada and Australia. He earned his JD at Bond University in Queensland, completing his articling with Virgin Australia Airlines and International Aerospace Law & Policy Group. Garnik began his career in Brisbane, where he represented clients before tribunals, the Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court of Queensland, and the Federal Court of Australia, gaining broad experience across corporate, commercial, employment, estates, and litigation matters.

After returning to Canada, Garnik has focused his practice on corporate and commercial law, employment disputes, civil litigation, and First Nations/Indigenous law. He brings a strategic, solutions-driven approach to advancing client interests, shaped by his international courtroom experience and broad legal background. Fluent in Armenian and Russian, Garnik also maintains a lifelong passion for martial arts, which reflects his discipline and commitment both inside and outside the practice of law.

Emily McGaugh is an associate lawyer practicing in the area of construction litigation. She was called to the Bar in June 2026 after completing her articling term at a leading intellectual property law firm in Toronto.

Emily earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa. Before pursuing law, she obtained a PhD in Physiology from the University of Toronto, where her research focused on the use of stem cells for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. During her undergraduate studies at York University, Emily was a varsity athlete, competing on the cross country and track and field teams.

Prior to articling, Emily worked as a scientist at a stem cell and cancer research start-up, where she gained experience translating scientific innovation into practical applications. Her background in scientific research, combined with her legal training, has given her a strong analytical approach to solving complex problems.

While in law school, Emily served as an Assistant Editor of the Ottawa Law Review. She also worked as a legal research assistant for a professor at the University of Ottawa and was awarded a Research Technoship, where she conducted legal research on emerging issues in the law.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys running and spending time outdoors with her family.

Jim graduated from York University in 1982 having attained an Honours Degree in Political Science and Philosophy. He attended University of Ottawa Law School graduating in 1986 and was called to the Bar in 1988. During his initial years of practice, Jim obtained broad experience in several practice areas including real estate, corporate/commercial and litigation. Jim provides comprehensive advice and representation to municipal and private clients on a broad range of issues. His clients consist primarily of municipalities and utility suppliers including municipal electrical utilities and hydro distributors. With a focus on municipal and land use planning law, Jim provides advice and representation to his clients on statutory and regulatory matters including governance, land use and development, land acquisitions including easements and land sales. His past experience includes acting for a major title insurance company and serving as its Chief Agent in Canada from 2003 to 2009. Jim served as the firm’s Managing Partner 2010 to 2021.

Jim is an active member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia. He has worked with a number of other community organizations including Kempenfest (Barrie) Inc. and The Barrie Parenting Fair Steering committee. Jim was a member of the Board of Directors for Hospice Simcoe for 8 years starting in 2003 and assumed the role of President and Board Chair in 2006 during a time when key decisions were being made to fundraise for and construct a residential hospice facility in Barrie. Jim served as Chair of the Hospice Simcoe Capital Campaign beginning in 2007 which raised over $6,000,000.00 for the construction and opening of the 10 bed residential hospice in December of 2009. Jim was honoured and recognized for his efforts receiving the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism from the Province of Ontario in 2013. Jim continues to volunteer and serve through his active participation in Rotary and by supporting other worthwhile organizations and causes. In his spare time, Jim plays some golf, skis and enjoys time entertaining with family and friends.

Joanne is a business and real estate lawyer with a wealth of entrepreneurial experience behind her, providing her with a unique and practical perspective. Her common sense approach and her understanding of the business side of matters helps her work well as part of a team with her clients, to get the deal done. Joanne graduated from the University of Toronto (Hons B.A. in 1990 and LLB in 1993) and has lived and worked in Barrie since 1997 when her husband acquired a dental practice in the area. She is certified by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) as a Specialist in Corporate & Commercial Law.

Joanne has always been active in her community, sitting on various boards and committees including the Board of Governors of Georgian College, United Way of Greater Simcoe County (VP, Chair of Board), Barrie Food Bank (Vice-President), Business Networking International (President), Barrie Royals Basketball Club, Minesing School Council (Chair), Barrie North School Council and Women Presidents Organization (Georgian Bay Chapter). Near and dear to her heart has been her involvement with the Sandbox Centre (founding Board member and past Board Chair) where she currently serves on its Advisory Board and actively participates in their CEO CNNX Group. Joanne`s involvement in the management of the firm (Managing Partner, Chief Innovation Officer, Chair of Finance) as well as her real estate investment and development experience make her uniquely positioned to provide business and real estate advice from the perspective of both a lawyer and a business client. Joanne is a member of the Simcoe County Lawyers Association, the Barrie Real Estate Lawyers Association and MENSA Canada.

Joanne was a recipient of the 2018 Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards (Business and Commercial – Lawyer of the Year – Canada)

As Chief Operating Officer at Barriston Law, Doug Moody is directly responsible for planning and directing all aspects of the law firm’s operational policies, objectives and initiatives. Doug also provides general manager oversight and day-to-day direction to managers and senior staff regarding finance, human resources and information technology.

Doug has over 34 years of experience in the Automotive Aftermarket – initially as General Manager for a growing Tire & Automotive Franchise Group and laterally as a Franchisee where Doug owned and operated several locations in Toronto and Barrie.

Prior to entering the Automotive Aftermarket, Doug spent several years with Ernst & Young in Toronto as a Staff Accountant.

Doug has an Honors Business Degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

As a long-time Rotarian, Doug is a Past President and active member of the Barrie Huronia Rotary Club.

Other community involvement includes the RVH Foundation, where Doug is a Past Chair of the $100 million “Keep Life Wild Campaign” and currently sits on the Investment Committee, as well as being an active member of the Keep Life Wild Barrie Campaign Cabinet.

Doug enjoys skiing with his Grandkids, swimming, boating and spending time at his Family island in Georgian Bay.

Janice Mumberson provides counsel to clients in the areas of corporate and commercial law, wills and estates, and real estate. Janice focuses on understanding her clients’ business and goals to ensure they receive the best possible advice. Janice was called to the Bar of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) in June 2013 after earning her law degree from the Queen’s University Faculty of Law.

Through her involvement with the law school, Janice was a part of the Queen’s Business Law Clinic, providing advice and guidance to start-up corporations, and volunteered with the Family Law Project in assisting those without representation navigate the family law court system. Prior to enrolling in law school, Janice completed her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at the Queen’s School of Business.

In 2019 Janice received the Barrie Advance Readers’ Choice Favourite Real Estate Lawyer Award.

In her spare time, Janice is active in a wide range of outdoor activities, including running and rowing, and also volunteers with the Barrie Uptown Theatre. Janice is a member of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce and currently volunteers with the Small Business Centre of Barrie assisting as part of a panel of mentors for start-up businesses.

Lauren is a dedicated paralegal who graduated, with honours, from the Paralegal program at Georgian College in December 2024. She brings over a decade of legal experience, having started her career at the age of 14 as a filing clerk with Purser Dooley Cockburn Smith LLP. Prior to completing her paralegal studies, Lauren worked for six years as a law clerk in the litigation department at Barriston Law, where she gained extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in a variety of legal matters.

Now licensed to provide legal services, Lauren focuses on representing clients before the Small Claims Court, the Landlord and Tenant Board, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. She is passionate about delivering accessible, client-centred legal support and takes pride in guiding individuals through challenging legal processes.

Outside of her professional life, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, hiking with her dog, golfing, baking, and crafting.

Cayley is a trusted legal advisor to business owners and their families and she values the opportunities she’s had to work with multiple generations of business owners, assisting in the ongoing success of their ventures.  Cayley’s clients trust her legal and business insights and are confident in the quality of her legal services. They value her responsive attention to their ongoing needs.

Cayley works with all types of business owners including doctors, dentists, veterinarians, farmers, car dealerships, and manufacturers.  She assists in all aspects of their businesses, including  buying and selling assets or companies, commercial financing, commercial leasing and maintaining corporate records. She also helps business owners with their commercial real estate needs and their wills and estate planning, including succession planning for their businesses.

Cayley is an experienced commercial lending lawyer with expertise in commercial lending, real estate financing and construction financing. Cayley has also represented public institutions in a general advisory capacity and helps not for profit and charitable organizations with incorporations, applications for charitable status, and on-going corporate maintenance.

Since moving to Simcoe County in January 2018,  Cayley has enjoyed the opportunity of working alongside several senior Barrie business lawyers with her previous firm. Prior to moving to Simcoe County, Cayley practiced with Pavey Law LLP in Cambridge and with Torys LLP in Toronto.

Cayley has presented at seminars hosted by local Real Estate Boards and Chambers of Commerce, to groups organized through Pro Bono Law Ontario and the Law Society of Ontario,  as well as to smaller groups organized by local banking institutions, libraries, and stroke survivor organizations. She welcomes the opportunity to speak to other groups.

Cayley is currently a member and past-director of the Rotary Club of Barrie, having previously been the president and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Cambridge (Preston-Hespeler). Cayley is past-Chair of the Board of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

Outside of the office, she enjoys reading all varieties of books, has very eclectic tastes in music and stays active by curling, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and exploring the County’s highways by bicycle.

Lisa joined Barriston LLP in May, 2016. She advises clients in the areas of real estate, business law, and wills and estate planning. Lisa approaches her practice with enthusiasm and a strong attention to detail. She strives to provide excellent client service. Lisa is an active member of the Simcoe County Law Association and the Barrie Real Estate Lawyers Association. She is the Chair of the Simcoe Trust and Estates Lawyers Association and currently sits on the Board of the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA).

Lisa completed her law degree at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. While attending Law School she volunteered with Downtown Legal Services in the family law division. As a member of the MLST Advocacy Project, Lisa represented a claimant before the Health Professionals Appeal and Review Board. She also sat on the Executive of the International Law Society. Prior to attending law school, Lisa obtained her Honours degree in Arts and Science from McMaster University.

In her spare time, Lisa enjoys skiing, paddleboarding, and spending time with family.

Tushar Sharma is an associate lawyer practicing in the area of municipal law. Before entering private practice, Tushar served as in-house legal counsel for two large Ontario municipalities, where he provided advice on a range of complex municipal and regulatory matters. In these roles, he worked closely with municipal staff and council members, advising on matters related to municipal governance, procurement, enforcement, building permit administration, and municipal finance.

Tushar earned his law degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and was called to the Bar in Ontario in June 2020. During law school, he was involved with Pro Bono Students Canada’s Family Law Project, assisting in the delivery of free legal services to self-represented litigants. Prior to studying law, Tushar completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Alberta.

Outside of his legal practice, Tushar enjoys reading, weight lifting, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.