Shonna Petrook: Linmac Estates Lead Toronto, New Partner

• Linmac LLP has appointed Shonna Petrook as the new head of its estates and trusts practice and a Toronto-based partner.
• Ms. Petrook brings over two decades of legal experience, specializing in estate planning, testamentary trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney.
• Before joining Linmac on September 14, she operated Petrook Law in the Greater Toronto Area and held roles at McMillan LLP and in the Ontario public sector.
• Her appointment is expected to enhance Linmac's Toronto office growth and client services through collaboration with tax and business teams.
• Recent Ontario court decisions include the dismissal of a son's claim for a testamentary trust and dependent relief, and the Court of Appeal declining to reconstitute itself for an SLRA interpretation appeal.

Her leadership is expected to foster greater synergy across practice groups, ensuring clients receive well-rounded guidance on protecting their legacies.

Linmac LLP has announced a significant expansion of its Toronto office capabilities with the appointment of Shonna Petrook as the new head of its estates and trusts practice. This strategic move also sees Ms. Petrook joining the firm's legacy team and becoming a new Toronto-based partner. Her extensive experience is particularly focused on assisting individuals and families with comprehensive estate planning, a critical area for wealth preservation and intergenerational transfer.

Jordan Morelli, who leads Linmac's Toronto office, emphasized the importance of this addition, stating that Ms. Petrook will play a pivotal role in supporting the office's growth. He highlighted her expertise in helping families safeguard their assets and plan confidently for future generations. Ms. Petrook herself expressed enthusiasm for her new position, noting her eagerness to collaborate closely with Linmac's Tax and Business teams to deliver a holistic approach to future planning, while also extending her gratitude for the warm welcome from Mr. Morelli and the entire firm. Linmac LLP maintains a broader national presence with additional offices located in Vancouver and Calgary.

Shonna Petrook brings over two decades of legal experience to her new role, specializing in intricate matters of estate planning and succession. Her practice has consistently involved guiding clients through the preparation of essential legal instruments, including testamentary trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney for both property and personal care. This deep expertise underscores her capacity to address a wide spectrum of client needs in the complex field of estate management.

Prior to joining Linmac LLP on September 14, Ms. Petrook successfully operated her own firm, Petrook Law, within the Greater Toronto Area, a venture she commenced in December 2016. Her professional journey also includes a three-year tenure at McMillan LLP, where she served as both an associate and a student-at-law. Beyond private practice, Ms. Petrook held significant public sector roles, including a four-year period as a manager for policy and research at the Ontario College of Trades, and nearly seven years as a senior policy advisor at the province's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. She was admitted to the Ontario bar in 2002, having earned her LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2001, following a Bachelor of Arts degree in women's studies and history from the University of Western Ontario in 1996.

The integration of Shonna Petrook into Linmac LLP's leadership team represents a strategic enhancement of the firm's service offerings, particularly within the dynamic Toronto legal market. Jordan Morelli reiterated that her blend of experience and a client-focused personal approach makes her an ideal fit for the firm's estates and trusts practice. This appointment is poised to significantly bolster Linmac's capacity to provide comprehensive and integrated legal solutions, leveraging her expertise in conjunction with the firm's established tax and business advisory services.

This move reflects a broader trend in Canadian legal talent movement, where seasoned professionals are sought to lead and expand specialized practice areas. By bringing in a lawyer of Ms. Petrook's caliber, Linmac LLP is not only strengthening its Toronto office but also reinforcing its commitment to delivering sophisticated estate planning advice that addresses the multifaceted needs of its clientele. Her leadership is expected to foster greater synergy across practice groups, ensuring clients receive well-rounded guidance on protecting their legacies.

While Linmac LLP strengthens its team with new leadership, the broader landscape of Ontario estates law continues to see judicial activity. In a recent development on May 27, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice summarily dismissed a claim brought by a son. This claim sought a declaration that his late mother's will had established a testamentary trust in his favour, alongside a request for dependent relief under Part V of the province's Succession Law Reform Act, 1990 (SLRA).

Earlier, on May 21, a three-justice panel of the Ontario Court of Appeal addressed another procedural matter related to estates. The panel declined a request to reconstitute itself as the Divisional Court. This action was sought to consider an application for leave to appeal a Superior Court order that had interpreted section 21.1 of the SLRA. These cases underscore the ongoing complexities and judicial interpretations within Ontario's succession and estates legislation.

This article is a personnel announcement within the legal industry and does not present a direct actionable legal implication for lawyers or compliance officers.

Source: Original reporting via legal industry news.