Our Firm

Rose Pellar

ROSE PELLAR, B.A.S., LL.B.

Rose became a lawyer in 1997 and brings with her a wealth of family law experience to the practice. Rose operated her own law practice in Toronto from 1997 to 2000 with a primary focus on Family Law. She was also an Associate Lawyer in the Family Law Division of Oatley, Purser in Barrie. Later, she maintained a very busy practice for approximately four years as an associate lawyer at the firm of McGee & Fryer (family lawyers) in Unionville. In July 2005 she joined Galbraith Family Law as an associate lawyer in Barrie, servicing a huge family law clientele. In October 2006, she created Pellar Family Law and after 15 years at Pellar Family Law she has opted to join JMS Law in September 2021. Rose indicates that the mission of JMS Law dovetails very nicely with her own philosophy of helping clients.

Rose is a certified Collaborative Family Law Lawyer and was a founding member and a Director of the York Collaborative Practice Group. She is a current member of the Simcoe County Collaborative Practice. Rose relates exceptionally well to her clients because (in her own words) she’s “been there”. Rose was divorced and has happily re-married in 2006. Rose knows only too well the emotional toll of separation and the importance of resolving the issues quickly and cost-effectively. Rose ensures however that her clients make well informed decisions. She makes a point to remind them that one day they will feel less emotional and could feel differently about the decisions they have made.

Rose believes in being involved in her Community. She has served on the Board of Directors for New Directions in Toronto, and for the Unionville Home Society in Markham, as well as for a Condominium Corporation in Richmond Hill. She was also on the Board of Directors for the Wasaga Society for the Arts. In addition, many years ago when her sons were in Cubs and Beavers, she served on the group committee for a local Scouts Canada Group as a member of the committee and later as Vice-Chair and Chair. Rose participated in the first ever 60km Breast Cancer Walk in 2003 and personally raised approximately $4,000 for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. She also participated in the “Stop Violence Against Women” walk in Wasaga Beach in Summer 2006. Rose was a co-facilitator for 9 years for a Divorce Recovery (9 week) Workshop twice yearly through the Mapleview Community Church in Barrie. She has also run the same workshop for the Lighthouse Community Church in Wasaga Beach.

In June 2009 she participated in a Habitat for Humanity build in Scarborough. Rose receives a lot of satisfaction from seeing the difference she has made, and continues to make in the lives of others through her practice and her volunteer work.

Rose was a contributing writer for the Women With Vision magazine for a number of years and she is the author of “A Gift in Every Challenge” (a part memoir/part inspirational book about her mother for whom divorce was not an option and about herself for whom divorce was the only option).

Having a passion for impacting lives in a positive way, she is coaching women experiencing divorce to get through and beyond their divorce.

Jillian C. Bowman

HONS., BA., LLB, NOTARY

Jillian joined JMS Law as an associate in 2016. She obtained her BA from York University and her LLB from the University of Sussex law school.

Prior to law school, Jillian worked as a certified Law Clerk in family law, which inspired her to further her legal education. Jillian’s areas of practice include Family Law, Child Protection as well as Wills and Estate Administration. Jillian assists her clients with matters such as separation, divorce, custody and access, child support, spousal support and child protection matters. Jillian can also assist you with your estate planning and drafting of your wills and/or powers of attorney.

Jillian is passionate about family law and committed to playing an active role in the Simcoe County community as well as the legal community. Jillian is the Vice President of the Simcoe County Family Law Lawyer’s Association and a volunteer with Barrie Lawyers feed the Hungry and is a member of BNI. Her enthusiasm for the Law, helping others, personal and inner growth is second to none.

Danielle Gendron

HONS, BA, LLB, NOTARY, ADR Certified

Danielle grew up in a small town just south of Barrie and graduated from the University of Guelph in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree. The following year, she obtained her Court and Tribunal Agent diploma from Seneca College where she was also certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Shortly thereafter, Danielle worked in the Municipal and Land Use Planning practice group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s Toronto location, as well as the Construction Law practice group.

In 2010, Danielle obtained her law degree from the University of Kent in Canterbury, United Kingdom. She completed her articles with a criminal defence firm in Toronto and went on to become an associate lawyer with Caramanna Friedberg LLP. For several years, Danielle conducted trials in the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice throughout various courts in the province. She also argued summary conviction appeals in Superior Court and has worked on cases at the Court of Appeal.

In 2019, Danielle decided to pursue her passion for family law and began assisting clients in the following areas: separation, divorce, custody and access, spousal support, child support and division of property. In early 2020, Danielle joined JMS Law to further her career as a family lawyer and obtained her Family Law Skills and Practice Certificate with Osgoode Hall Law School. Danielle also practices real estate law and proudly assists clients in the Barrie and surrounding area with their residential real estate law matters. Danielle is dedicated to obtaining the best results for her clients. Her superior advocacy experience and negotiation abilities have led to many successful acquittals, resolutions and settlements. She has skillfully assisted clients with a variety of challenging residential real estate closings.

Danielle is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Family Lawyers Association, the Simcoe County Law Association, the Simcoe County Family Lawyers Association. She holds the Residential Real Estate Law seat with Business Network International (“BNI”) Spirit Catchers chapter.

Pantea Samei

Pantea graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She pursued her law degree in the United Kingdom and obtained her LLB degree from the University of Leicester. Pantea completed her articles at a personal injury firm, where she practiced plaintiff personal injury, family law, and estates law. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2020.

Prior to joining JMS Law, Pantea practiced as a refugee lawyer representing clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada. She has extensive experience advocating for clients from diverse backgrounds. Pantea is fluent in English and Farsi.

Negin Sari

Negin became a lawyer in order to help people. This has been her primary goal since she began practicing as an Articling Student in March 2019. Over the last 3 years, she has been practicing solely Criminal Law under the mentorship of Robert Geurts, who is well known and well respected in the legal community as a Criminal Defence lawyer and has been for more than 30 years. Throughout the last 3 years, Negin has spent countless hours preparing for Bail Hearings, Pre-Trials and Trials and preparing the best possible defence for clients. Mrs. Sari was instrumental in assisting Mr. Geurts in achieving successful resolutions for many client matters. In addition, she was responsible for achieving several successful resolutions and outcomes for dozens of clients through conducting Crown Pre-Trials, Judicial Pre-Trials, Bail Hearings, Guilty Pleas and Sentencing Hearings. Negin has become a skilled negotiator and has effectively learned the ins and outs of Criminal Defence law.

She has had the privilege of working on a variety of cases, some simple such as Assaults, Criminal Harassments, Uttering Threats, and Impaired/Over 80s and complex cases, such as Sexual Assaults, Sexual Interference, Possession of Child Pornography and Robberies. She has assisted with dozens of Trials (including a Jury Trial), several Preliminary Inquiries and NCR Applications. Negin has assisted clients with entering into Peace Bonds, Guilty Pleas, conducted Sentencing Hearings, participated as counsel in a Pre-Enquete Hearing and drafted all documents from start to finish for an Indictable Appeal, Record Suspensions and Fingerprint and Photograph Destruction with no assistance or guidance. Negin is confident with her general knowledge of Family Law (from taking a Family Law course in Law School, to the Bar exam content). She is a quick study, extremely dedicated, hardworking and learns very quickly while practicing as she learns best by doing work hands on.

Kristie Wilson

Law Clerk

Kristie began her journey as a Law Clerk in August of 2015 and received her diploma from the Law Clerk program at Georgian College in October of 2017. She has been a Law Clerk at JMS Law since June of 2017.

Since Kristie joined the JMS Law team, she has been assisting with Family Law, Mediation, and Wills and Estates, she has also been coordinating with students at Georgian College to assist them with complete their field placements here at JMS Law.

Kristie is glad to be a part of JMS Law, where the highest priority is helping people during difficult transitioning periods in their lives.

Jennifer Parkinson

Law Clerk

Jennifer joined JMS Law as a Law Clerk in 2019. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2014 and a Master of Arts in 2015 from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Law Clerk Diploma from Georgian College in 2019.

Katherine Burston

Real Estate Clerk

Katherine began her legal career as a legal assistant at one of the top personal injuries firms in Ontario where she was responsible for regularly communicating with clients and counsel. Katherine’s excellent communication, organizational skills and dedication to client service has been crucial to her success as a law clerk. Katherine’s willingness to raise to any challenge presented to her and go above and beyond has been an vital asset to the team.

Katherine attended Seneca College and earned her law clerk diploma, while also becoming part of the President’s Honour list. She has volunteered with United Way and Federated Health Charities and will take any opportunity to work with a puppy. JMS is delighted to be working with someone so committed to their work and the team.

Andrew Johnstone

Summer Student

Andrew grew up in the north end of Barrie, attending high school at Eastview Secondary. Andrew played varsity soccer during his undergraduate program and graduated from Nipissing University in 2021. Andrew began his legal journey at the University of Ottawa Faulty of Law, where he has participated in moot competitions and is a member of the executive team for the International Law Student Association. Andrew has gained experience in criminal and personal injury law through opportunities at the Barrie Courthouse and local law firms.

Andrew will be assisting with family law files and has already been able to participate in a family law trial. JMS is excited to add someone with Andrew’s experience, sense of humor and commitment to clients to the team.