* NEW* CAREERS

  • Proudly serving the Kenora Area
    since 1882.

    We are your trusted source for legal advice
    and services in Northwestern Ontario.

ABOUT US

Shewchuk Ormiston LLP

A Northwestern Ontario law firm, which has a solid record of meeting the ever-changing needs of its clients in their business and personal matters. 

Established in 1882, the firm draws on our depth of experience and a progressive approach to problem solving.

Our standards are high and we pride ourselves on innovation – the ability to develop pertinent, workable solutions to facilitate our client's increasingly complex business and legal transactions.

Solving legal problems can be a challenge to most of us on at least one ​occasion in our lives, and the challenge often begins with finding the right law firm. Shewchuk Ormiston LLP provides a complete range of skills to a widely diversified group of local, national and international clients.

Our lawyers and full complement of paralegal and support staff have the experience and capability to service any aspect of your legal needs. Our team of experienced, approachable professionals delivers top quality legal services in a timely, efficient and reasonably priced manner.

Shewchuk Ormiston LLP has evolved into a full service firm that offers its clients a wide range of Practice Areas. Each lawyer’s practice encompasses different areas of the law, and the result is a firm that represents individuals in their personal and business concerns in almost every branch of the law. The firm’s practice is broad - from residential and commercial real estate transactions to trusts and estates, and matters that draw on the firms expertise in numerous other branches of the law including commercial and municipal law.

We dedicate our experience, skills, energy and high standards to all our clients. You can count on Shewchuk Ormiston LLP to develop innovative solutions for all your legal requirements and assistance in making informed legal decisions to get the results you need.

Our Team

ROD W.W. SHEWCHUK

PARTNER - B.A., LL.B., L.U.F.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Rod has been a resident of Kenora since early childhood. He attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, where he achieved a B.A. in Economics in 1968.

After continuing his studies at the University of British Columbia, where he earned his LL.B. in 1971, Rod returned to Kenora to begin his practice. Rod has been actively involved with Confederation College and several local service clubs. Rod also enjoys hitting the lakes each summer and fishing. Past positions include Vice Chair of the Board of Confederation College, Chair of the Kenora Police Services Board, President of the Kenora Lions Club and President of the Kenora Golf & Country Club.

In May 2005, Rod was made a Fellow of the University’s by his alma mater, Lakehead University. This honour was conferred upon him “in recognition of his long and distinguished services to Northwestern Ontario”. Rod was on the Chancellor's Task Force which was successful in securing a Faculty of Law for Lakehead University. Rod is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Bar Association.

BRUCE A.J. ORMISTON

PARTNER - B.A., LL.B.

Bruce is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and received his B.A. in 1969 at the University of Winnipeg, and his LL.B. at the University of Manitoba in 1972.

Since moving to Kenora in 1972, he has lent his expertise to various Kenora boards, including the Lake of the Woods Child Development Centre, the Kenora Rotary Club, Northwestern Ontario Crime Stoppers, Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation, Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club and the Lake of the Woods Museum.

Bruce was the founding President of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation and served on Kenora Town Council for a three-year term.

One of Bruce's favourite past-times is boating, with a particular love for wooden boats. Bruce is a member of the Law Society of Ontario

 

JOSHUA O. J. SZAJEWSKI

ASSOCIATE - B.A., J.D.

Born and raised in Kenora, Josh graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas high school before moving to Thunder Bay to pursue a degree in Political Science at Lakehead University.

After completing his undergraduate degree in 2014, Josh attended the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, also at Lakehead University, where he received his Juris Doctor in 2017.

During law school, Josh completed his Integrated Practice Curriculum placement with the firm from January to April 2017 and returned to work with the firm as a student-at-law upon graduation.

Josh was called to the Bar of Ontario in September 2017. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.

Very active in the community, Josh enjoys participating in local curling, golf and softball leagues. Josh is currently acting as the President of the Keewatin Curling Club. Josh is a member of the Kenora Rotary Club and previously served as legal counsel for the Rotary District 5500’s Board of Directors.

AURORA C. FITZGERALD

ASSOCIATE - B.A. (Hons. Spec.), J.D.

Aurora was born in Thunder Bay and raised in small towns throughout Northern Ontario. After receiving her degree from Western University in London Ontario,  Aurora completed her Juris Doctor at Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in Thunder Bay. Her placement was at the Northwest Community Legal Clinic, where she also worked during the summers, thanks to the Law Foundation of Ontario’s Access to Justice program. Aurora has spent time teaching in Igloolik, NU., where she drafted successful proposals for government funding for the after-school programs she developed and implemented. This experience had a great impact on her choice to pursue political science and a social justice and peace specialization in her undergraduate studies. During law school, Aurora took specialization courses in Elder Law, Criminal Law, Environmental and Animal Law, and Legal Research and Writing.  Aurora has a passion for wildlife protection and animal rights; she was Co-Founder and President of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law Animal Justice Club and will have a co-authored essay on animal law issues published in the Spring of 2024.

When not at the office, you will find Aurora enjoying the ‘lake-life’ and all that Kenora has to offer.

ROD'S AREAS OF PRACTICE INCLUDE:

  • Residential and Commercial Real Estate
  • Wills and Estate Planning
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Commercial Law

BRUCE'S AREAS OF PRACTICE INCLUDE:

  • Commercial / Corporate Law
  • Residential and Commercial Real Estate
  • Wills and Estate Planning
  • Trusts
  • Non Resident Law
  • Municipal Law

JOSH'S AREAS OF PRACTICE INCLUDE:

  • Criminal Law
  • Real Estate
  • Wills
  • Provincial Offences Act Offences
  • Corporate & Commercial

AURORA'S AREAS OF PRACTICE INCLUDE:

  • Family Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Real Estate
  • Wills & Estate Planning
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Corporate/Commercial
  • Municipal Law

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Areas of Practice

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL

Our corporate and commercial law practice encompasses financial and commercial matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, loan transactions, debt restructuring, contractual agreements, reorganizations and bankruptcies.

Our firm will prepare commercial agreements including shareholder, partnership and joint venture agreements. Our corporate lawyers can assist you with financing, secured transactions, franchising, cooperatives, bankruptcy and insolvency matters.

Lawyers of our firm are often asked for advice from Boards of Directors and Managers on various legal issues, such as structuring and negotiating transactions, obtaining regulatory approvals, and real estate and employment law. We also prepare the required documentation to implement the advice we give.

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CALL OUR OFFICE: (807) 468-5559

CRIMINAL LAW

Our lawyers regularly defend summary and indictable criminal code offences. We often travel out of town for such cases, usually to neighbouring communities such as Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake.

We also handle criminal and quasi-criminal traffic matters. Please contact us for a consultation regarding your case.

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CALL OUR OFFICE: (807) 468-5559

FAMILY LAW

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REAL ESTATE

Buying and selling real estate can involve complicated legal issues. Considering the sums of money involved in an average sale, it is a wise, and relatively minor investment to have an experienced and qualified lawyer involved from the time you place or accept an offer to the closing date. 

We will assist you with contract preparation and review, negotiations with the other party's lawyer, title search and commitment, and closing the sale of a single family home, recreational property or condominium for a reasonable fee.

We can also assist you with the sale, purchase or lease of a commercial property.

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CALL OUR OFFICE: (807) 468-5559

WILLS & ESTATES

From the drafting of a simple Will to planning and administering a multi-million dollar estate, our lawyers offer sound advice backed by extensive experience.

Whether the matter is simple or complex, we are committed to providing personal attention to each client in planning and preserving assets. Thus, our challenge in providing personal service is to focus this extensive experience on each client situation - as if it were the only matter of its kind.

Our clients deserve no less.

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CALL OUR OFFICE: (807) 468-5559

RESOURCES

This site offers news releases, interesting publications and information on upcoming seminars. You can also order materials.

This site offers links to information on the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Employment Equity Act for employers and employees

This site offers access to most of Revenue Canada’s public information, as well as news releases and speeches by the Ministry of National Revenue

This site is the Portal for the City of Kenora, Mayor & Council Administration.  Pay bills online and contact public servants.

Official site for the federal government in Canada.  offers information on Canada, its government and federal programs and services.

This site has links to government agencies and departments, as well as budget documents.  You can also retrieve information on business and travel in Ontario.

A site that has its finger on the pulse of our city. View upcoming events and Chamber activities as well as find local Chamber business members

workplace Safety & Insurance Board of Ontario.  This site offers links to information on Ontario’s WSIB programs and guidelines for employers and employees.

Contact Us

Shewchuk Ormiston LLP
214 Main Street South
PO Box 1970
Kenora, Ontario
P9N 3X8

Phone: (807) 468-5559
Fax: (807) 468-5504
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Opening Hours

Monday–Thursday: 8 am – 5 pm
Friday: 8 am – 4:30 pm
Closed 12:00 – 1:00 pm Monday - Friday
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

© 2022 Shewchuk, Ormiston LLP, All Rights Reserved