Senior Family Law Lawyer, Tessa Bair, brings an informed and compassionate approach to assisting clients in what is, typically, a challenging period in their lives.
Goals
Tessa emphasizes time and cost-efficient solutions to family law problems. She places her client’s needs first, by striving to obtain low conflict, high satisfaction resolutions. Family Law should not be mystifying. Tessa believes in educating her clients, to empower them to obtain their best results. She provides her clients with choice, meticulous preparation and a child-centred approach to resolving Family Law affairs.
Options
Tessa has expertise in a range of dispute resolution techniques. In addition to her skills in courtroom advocacy and traditional negotiation, she is skilled in mediation and collaborative dispute resolution techniques. By offering a range of resolution options, she can tailor your process to meet your unique needs. For more information about resolution options, please see the “Divorce Options” section of our website.
Education & Experience
Tessa graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1990 and to the Bar of Alberta in 1992. She practiced law in Edmonton, Alberta before joining a Bay Street, boutique firm, in Toronto, Ontario. In 1996, she joined the leading Barrie firm of Oatley, Purser. She led Oatley, Purser’s Family Law Division for approximately six years before forming Bair Family Law, Professional Corporation.
Tessa has been recognized by the Canadian Bar Association for her contribution to continuing legal education in the Family Law field. She has served as Simcoe County’s Liason to the Canadian Bar Association’s “Continuing Legal Education Program.” In this capacity, she organized and chaired the Canadian Bar Association’s Child Support Guidelines Program for Simcoe County.
Tessa has published work on family law subjects of note. She has lectured on the subject of Family Law in various forums, including, Canadian Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Conferences, Georgian College, the Mediation Centre of Simcoe County and the Barrie Chamber of Commerce. She has acted as a consultant to the Barrie Examiner in respect of newsworthy family law issues. In her roles as lecturer, author and consultant on a variety of family law subjects, she has sought to increase public and professional awareness of significant family law issues.
Tessa is a member of the Simcoe County Family Law Lawyers’ Association, the Family Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, Collaborative Practice Simcoe County and the Ontario Association for Family Mediation.
A Member of the Barrie Community
An active member of our community, Tessa has served on various local Boards and provided volunteer services to local organizations. Having studied classical voice, her passion for the arts is evident in her love of jazz, theatre and dance.