Tessa’s university career first took her to New Brunswick – quite a difference from her hometown of Elgin – where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours in International Relations, major in Hispanic Studies) from Mount Allison University in 2015.
She completed her law degree at the University of Ottawa. While there, Tessa worked in the outreach and education division of the Community Legal Clinic and volunteered with the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project, among other human rights-oriented groups. During her last semester of law school, Tessa participated in an intensive program through Osgoode Hall Law School that took her to Argentina to support Indigenous communities seeking recognition of their land rights.
Tessa worked as a summer student and completed her articles at Howard Kelford & DuBois LLP. Having joined the firm as an associate following her call to the bar in 2019, Tessa is proud to have settled back in the area.
While Tessa’s practice is mainly concentrated in family law, she has a broad range of legal interests that she is excited to explore for the benefit of her clients. She also tackles litigation files, wills and estates questions, and real estate transactions and she is increasingly working to assist with the not-for-profit incorporation process. In addition to developing her law practice, Tessa is working to become a certified mediator.
Outside of the office, you can find Tessa riding her horse Tinfoil, or staying active out on a hiking trail. She balances her love for travel with her desire to be an active member of the Smiths Falls community, where she lives now.
“Tessa can communicate and receive instructions in Spanish if that is your preferred language”
Tessa off duty
Direct:
Legal Assistant:
Catherine Poag, cpoag@valleylaw.ca
Howard, Kelford & DuBois LLP 