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1993-1996 University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Law.
London, Ontario, N6A 3K7
Degree: Bachelor of Laws
Awards: Dean’s Honour List 1994/1995
The Granger Prize in Family Law
The Blake, Cassels and Graydon Prize in Company Law
The Carswell Company Limited Prize in Conflict of Laws
1988-1992 University of Toronto, University College.
Toronto Ontario, M5S 1A1
Four Year Specialist Programme: History
Areas of Specialty: Medieval History
Canadian Native History
Minor: Political Science
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, with Distinction
Scholarships: University College Alumni Scholarship
C. L. Burton Open Scholarship
Final Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average: 3.44
April, 1998 - present: Sole Practitioner
Family Law Practice
July, 1996 - July, 1997: Ontario Court of Justice, Research Facility, 361 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5G 1T3
Position: Law Clerk
Rotations: Family, Criminal, Civil
Duties: Legal research, memo drafting, case summary writing, attendance in court on motions and trials.
• Law Society of Upper Canada
• Canadian Bar Association - Ontario (Family Law Section)
• Durham Region Law Association
• Durham Community Legal Clinic
• Collaborative Family Law Association of Durham Region
• The Advocates’ Society
• The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
• Panel member of Durham Region Family Court Dispute Resolution Officers
• Panel member of Legal Aid Area Committee for Durham Region from November, 2002 to present.
• Member of Durham Region Child Protection Best Practices Committee from September, 2005 to present. Member of Professional Development sub-committee from November, 2005 to present.
• Member of Item Writing panel in March and October, 2006, and October, 2007, for the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Bar Admission course.
• Co-author of Emergency Motions Toolkit for Volunteers and Staff Supporting Abused Women Through the Family Court Process.
• Author of a six pamphlet series providing step-by-step procedural assistance for unrepresented litigants in child protection proceedings in Durham Region. The pamphlets are used and distributed by Duty Counsel and the Durham Children’s Aid Society.
• Freelance contributor to the All Canada Weekly Summaries from June, 1998 to November, 2005.
Mr. Spencer has over 18 years experience working as a Family Law lawyer. In 1992, he graduated with Distinction from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1996, he obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario. While at Western, he received the Granger Prize in Family Law, the Carswell Company Limited Prize in Conflict of Laws, and the Blake, Cassels and Graydon Prize in Company Law.
Mr. Spencer also has extensive experience representing children in Family Law matters. He has been a member of the Durham Region personal rights panel for the Office of the Children`s Lawyer since 2009.
In 2011, Mr. Spencer was appointed as a Dispute Resolution Officer for the Oshawa Family Court. Dispute Resolution Officers are senior family law lawyers who hear case conferences on motions to change final orders. Acting as neutral third parties, they assist parties and their lawyers by narrowing or resolving the issues in dispute. They also help to ensure that unresolved matters are ready to proceed on to a judge.
Mr. Spencer volunteers monthly at Luke's Place. In his spare time, he plays slo-pitch softball and enjoys spending time with family and friends.