OUR TEAM
GILLIAN HNATIW
Gillian is an accomplished litigator whose diverse practice encompasses health law, administrative law, professional regulation and liability, employment disputes, general commercial litigation, and appeals. In particular, Gillian is known for being one of Canada’s foremost practitioners in the areas of sexual assault, harassment and violence.
Gillian appears regularly before all levels of court, including repeat appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. She has been involved in countless administrative proceedings before a variety of tribunals and served as independent legal counsel. Most notably, Gillian acted as counsel at the Coroner’s Inquests into the deaths of Ashley Smith (2014) and Katelynn Sampson (2016).
LEIGH CLARK
Leigh is a fierce advocate for her clients and brings thoughtful and pragmatic solutions to complicated problems. She has a keen eye for what sits at the heart of any given dispute and is skilled at navigating the litigation process in a manner that best advances her clients’ interests. Every case is different and Leigh approaches each one with compassion and dedication. She takes pride in empowering her clients to feel confident in the decisions they make throughout the life of their case.
Prior to joining Gillian Hnatiw & Co., Leigh practiced civil litigation at a top insurance defence boutique in Toronto. She gained a wide breadth of experience litigating complex cases involving professional liability, class actions, personal injury, property claims, and health law. She has experience before a variety of courts, including the Ontario Small Claims Court, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
TAYLOR BAIN
Taylor is committed to a trauma-informed practice that focuses on client needs. Her written and oral advocacy effectively showcases client stories and focuses on what is important.
Taylor earned her law degree from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, where she specialized in Dispute Resolution and Professionalism. She has also been a member of and mentor for the University of Ottawa’s Legal Writing Academy since 2020, where she consults others on how to make their writing more accessible and improve their interpersonal skills. She was also selected to coach the University of Ottawa’s Walsh Family Law Moot team, which produced top-scoring advocates.
MOLLY WARWICK
Molly provides efficient and cost-effective legal support to our clients at every stage of the litigation process. She does this by independently managing and navigating all law clerking duties in connection with intake and pre-litigation, the preservation and collection of documents, examinations for discovery, mediation and trial. Molly is committed to advancing our clients’ best interests with creativity, efficiency, compassion and hard work.
Prior to joining Gillian Hnatiw & Co. as a dedicated litigation law clerk, Molly worked in the field for over 5 years at boutique litigation firms. Molly’s previous experience includes extensive work in the area of tort litigation specializing in plaintiff civil sexual assault. Molly also has advanced knowledge of a variety of parallel proceedings, such as the Social Justice Tribunals Ontario, criminal investigations and proceedings, as well as various regulatory bodies and related professional disciplinary proceedings.
CATHY MANTZIARIS
Cathy Mantziaris is a highly skilled Administrative and Legal Assistant/Clerk renowned for her exceptional organizational abilities, keen attention to detail, and unwavering professionalism. With extensive experience in navigating complex legal processes, Cathy is dedicated to improving operational efficiency and providing comprehensive support to her team and clients. She excels in managing client intake, correspondence, and document preparation for a variety of cases, including historical sexual abuse, civil litigation, and employment law, always with a focus on meeting the unique needs of each client.
KATHERINE DOERING
Katherine takes great pride aiding in the advocacy of our clients while providing trauma-informed support every step of the way. While studying the various fields of law in Seneca College’s Law Clerk program, she was immediately drawn to litigation and the academic discourse surrounding access to justice.
With a diligent work ethic and an inquiring mind, her duties at Gillian Hnatiw & Co. include initial client intake, drafting court documents and managing the collection and organization of our records.
