Guy is a senior lawyer practicing primarily in the areas of real estate, wills and estates and corporate law. Guy obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and studied Law at the University of Windsor where he received his LL.B. before being called to Bar in June of 2006.

Prior to joining Barriston, Guy was in private practice for over a decade and acted as the managing partner of a high volume solicitor practice in Toronto that grew to serve thousands of clients. Guy also spent several years applying his legal skills in the financial advisory department of a large multinational corporation.

When not at the office, Guy enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and natural beauty of Simcoe County with his young family. Guy is also an avid baseball fan, and enjoys playing the game with his children and has acted as a volunteer coach for many years.

Harold Elston has been providing legal advice to municipal, provincial and federal governments, boards and agencies for over 37 years. Drawing on his experience as a litigator before all levels of court in Ontario and many of the province’s tribunals, and as the former integrity commissioner to over 50 municipalities, Harold provides practical, effective and timely legal advice to our municipal clients.

Carly is an associate lawyer practicing in the areas of municipal, planning and expropriation law. Carly was called to the Bar in 2022 after completing her Articling term with Barriston. Carly provides advice and representation to municipalities and private clients on a variety of municipal issues including land-use planning, development, freedom of information and privacy, elections, and general municipal matters.

Having focused on municipal law throughout her summering and articling terms, Carly has had the opportunity to appear before the Ontario Land Tribunal and has attended the Superior Court and Divisional Court in Ontario for both municipal and private clients. Before joining Barriston, Carly worked for the office of an Ontario Integrity Commissioner where she assisted on matters regarding conflicts of interest and codes of conduct.

Carly earned her LL.B. (Honours) from the University of Leeds School of Law in the United Kingdom and completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree at McMaster University where she majored in Political Science. She is the co-founder of the “Georgian Bay Social” which fundraises for local charities in Collingwood and enjoys skiing and golfing in her spare time.

Nadine is a family law associate in our Collingwood office. Nadine seeks to provide efficient and effective counsel to clients in matters relating to separation, custody and access, child support, spousal support and division of family property. One of Nadine’s most enjoyable areas to practice within family law is adoption law. Nadine was raised in Collingwood and is pleased to return to her home community. She graduated from the University of Guelph with a double major in geography and history before attending law school at the University of Western Ontario. Nadine was involved with Pro Bono Students Canada while at Western Law and participated in the Family Law Project, a program devised to assist low income, self-represented litigants in drafting their family law court materials. Nadine practiced at a mid-size law firm in Guelph before joining Barriston in October of 2017.

Nadine has represented clients at the Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal and Children and Family Services Review Board. She is currently the Treasurer of the Simcoe County Family Law Lawyers Association, a Board Member of the Georgian Triangle Humane Society and a member of the Rotary Club of Collingwood-South Georgian Bay.

In her spare time, Nadine stays active by skiing and snowboarding, golfing and hiking with her dog, Ethel. She also enjoys watching the Toronto Maple Leafs, going to concerts and travelling.

Alison is an associate lawyer practicing in civil litigation and employment law. She was called to the Bar in June 2025 after completing her Articling term with Barriston.

Alison earned her Juris Doctor degree from Bond University in Australia where she graduated with First Class Distinction. While in law school, Alison was a student editor for the Bond Law Review. She developed strong advocacy skills through her participation in the Bond University Community Law Clinic and the K&L Gates Witness Examination Competition. Prior to completing her law degree, Alison obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen’s University.

Outside of practicing law, Alison volunteers for Hospice Georgian Triangle. In her spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, playing golf and travelling.

Matt practices in the areas of municipal law and public sector litigation. He represents and advises local governments, First Nations, public entities, and private clients on a wide range of civil and regulatory matters, including insurance defence and applications for judicial review. He also regularly appears before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Called to the Bar in 2019, Matt has appeared as counsel before the Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Justice, and various adjudicative tribunals. He holds a certificate in the Law of Emergencies and advises both public and private sector clients on emergency legislation and regulation, as well as municipal liability and risk management strategies.

Before being called to the Bar, Matt summered and articled with the Crown Law Office – Civil of the Ministry of the Attorney General, the central litigation and advisory office for the Government of Ontario. During his articles, he supported counsel in all phases of complex litigation files, with a particular focus in administrative law, indigenous law, and regulatory negligence.

Matt obtained his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he served as Senior Editor and Article Review Committee Chair of the Osgoode Hall Law Journal. Matt has also published in reputable, peer-reviewed law journals on subjects at the intersection of law, science, and risk regulation.

Matt recently moved to Collingwood with his wife and two young daughters. In what spare time he has, he enjoys weightlifting, skiing and being outdoors. He’s convinced there is no better community in Ontario to live and raise a family than Collingwood.

Ross recently joined Barriston Law having practiced with a prominent London, Ontario law firm. His practice is focused on business law and real estate. Ross has been a trusted advisor to individuals, financial and educational institutions and owner-operators businesses.

Ross graduated from Western University and was called to the bar in 1987. He practiced law in London, Ontario for over 37 years and was active in the local community. Ross was a board member with Community Futures Middlesex and past chair of St. John Ambulance London Branch and the Western Athletic Alumni Association. Ross also coached youth hockey, soccer and baseball in his local community.

Ross enjoys spending time with his wife at their home on Blue Mountain. In his spare time, Ross participates in hiking, cycling, skiing and golf.

Cassandra is an Associate lawyer who practices in the areas of corporate law, real estate law, and wills and estate. Cassandra was called to the Bar in January 2021 after completing her Articling term with Barriston.

Cassandra completed her Juris Doctor Degree from Bond University in Australia in 2019. Prior to law school, Cassandra received a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Guelph in 2015.

While pursuing her law degree, Cassandra was the Treasurer of the Canadian Law Student Association, participated in the Bond University Community Law Clinic, volunteered at the Gold Coast Community Legal Centre and placed 1st at the Australian University Games in Division 2 Women’s Individual Golf.

In her spare time, Cassandra enjoys staying active by snowboarding, golfing, hiking with her dog Nala, and travelling. Cassandra is an active member of her community and frequently volunteers.

Jim Ironside made the decision to retire from the practice of law effective June 28th 2024. Barriston retains carriage of Jim’s active files, as well as existing corporation and Wills and Powers of Attorney’s. Please call our office for more information.

Jim practiced Law in Collingwood for over 38 years.  A graduate of Collingwood’s St. Mary’s Elementary School and Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Jim returned home to Collingwood after successfully completing his University education and legal studies.

Jim had substantial Court experience, having appeared as Counsel in every Court in Ontario, the Supreme Court of Canada, and has been authorized to practice in the superior court of both Alberta and Nova Scotia.

Jim also had extensive experience with real estate purchases, sales and mortgages, a substantial Corporate/Business practice, and a burgeoning Wills and Estates practice.

Jim is an active Member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and Parish Council. He is the past Board Chair of Breaking Down Barriers, a local charity that promotes independent living for those in our community with a view to inclusiveness, respect and collaboration.  Jim has been a long terms supporter of the Collingwood Fair, girl’s and boy’s hockey, the Knights of Columbus and many other local charities.

Family is a critical part of Jim’s activities, and joy is found in four children, 6 grandchildren and is proud to be the husband of Marlene.

Heather is a senior associate lawyer at our Collingwood office.  Heather has been practicing law in Collingwood since 2011.  She has experience in a variety of practice areas including Family Law, Wills, Estates and Real Estate.  Heather aims to alleviate stress and uncertainty for clients by focusing on client priorities and effectively communicating about rights, obligations, and options for resolution.

Heather obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo where she majored in Rhetoric and Professional Writing.  From there she earned her Juris Doctor from the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario.

During her free time Heather enjoys outside exploration and adventures with her family including cottaging, skiing, coaching soccer and travel.

Heather looks forward to continuing to provide a high level of legal services to the community.