About Us

Suzana Gartner

B.A., J.D., LL.M (ADR), Firm Founder & Mediator

Suzana Gartner is the Firm’s Founder and a Mediator. She completed her Master of Laws degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2013. Suzana launched the first animal law firm and mediation practice in Canada dedicated exclusively to animal-related disputes. She focuses on using mediation cases to help clients resolve their disputes. Suzana has successfully resolved many client cases using an alternative approach to litigation in the following areas: alleged dog bite incidents, dog “breed” bans, pet custody disputes between separating couples, pet condominium disputes, incidents of injury or death and negligence claims, breeder disputes, boarding and dog walking claims, denial of insurance claims, equine-related matters, horse contracts, and other animal-related disputes.

Alyssa Kelliher

B.A., J.D., Volunteer Lawyer

Alyssa obtained her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Stony Brook University. Alyssa went on to receive her JD from Hofstra University in 2018. During law school, Alyssa served as a Student Clinician at the Hofstra Youth Advocacy Law Clinic, where Alyssa represented youth in special immigrant juvenile matters and child maltreatment cases. Alyssa was an associate attorney at Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara, Wolf & Carone, LLP in New York from January 2019 to February 2020 where her practice focus was in Healthcare Litigation. Alyssa is currently an attorney at The Odierno Law Firm, P.C., in New York, where her practice area focuses on Personal Injury matters.

Alyssa first became interested in becoming a legal advocate for animals in high school when the teacher in charge of the animal rights club expressed how desperately animals need lawyers. Alyssa’s passion and mission in life are to use her legal skills to advocate for animals and give animals a voice in the law. Alyssa is excited to work with Gartner & Associates and to make the world a better place for animals.

In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys listening to podcasts (especially those involving animal law), spending time with her two dogs, two horses, her rabbit, and partner Marty, working out, cooking and being in nature.

Alyson Groll

B.A., L.L.B., Volunteer Lawyer

Alyson graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2002. After working for eight years as a Criminal Lawyer, she left law to pursue other careers. She has found success as a Somatic Trauma Therapist, where she enjoyed making a profound difference in the lives of her clients. In addition to her private practice, Alyson leads seminars and workshops on stress, trauma, and nervous system resilience.

Although she feels a sense of fulfillment through her current work, her deep and profound connection with animals has motivated her to return to law. Mediation particularly interests Alyson, an interest that flows from her current work with her ability to guide others in navigating conflict in a healthy and productive manner. She has a keen insight into human psychology and motivation and deeply believes the first step to making lasting change in any area, is connecting what one believes to be accurate and what one doesn’t yet have an awareness of.

In her free time, you can find her chilling with her rescue fur babies, her pup Lenore and her kitty Clide, dancing, hanging in nature, baking, and running.

Daniel Fin

Student

Daniel joined Gartner & Associates as a summer law student after completing his first year at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law. Before starting law school, Daniel graduated from York University completing a BComm in Accounting with honours. During his time at York University, Daniel was heavily involved with the community where he volunteered in numerous wildlife rehabilitation projects.

His love for animals started at a young age. Being raised around dogs, he knew that animals would always be a major part of his life. Having experienced injustice with his own canine companion in a veterinarian malpractice incident, Daniel’s passion for animals naturally led him to a career in animal law.

In his spare time, Daniel loves being outdoors, weightlifting, and spending time with his dog.

Edith Barabash

Student

Edith is joining Gartner & Associates as a summer student after her first year at Osgoode Hall Law School. She has previously completed her Bachelor in Environmental Studies degree with honours, and hopes to bridge the fields of animal law and environmental law through her work.

Edith has always been an animal lover, but she decided to make animal rights a part of her career after founding a non-profit animal rescue, Farmhouse Garden Animal Home. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to promote compassion and justice for all living beings. She is very excited to be working with others who share these values.

In her spare time, Edith can be found singing showtunes, hiking, or caring for her pet cows.

Alexandra Ganz

Student

Alexandra is joining Gartner and Associates as a co-op student for her second year of Criminal Justice at Humber College. She has previously obtained her Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the University of Toronto. She wishes to make animal law a more common practice and greatly expand the rights and freedoms of animals.

Alexandra has become increasingly interested in animal welfare over the past few years, pursuing veganism and animal rights activism. She always possessed a special love for animals and now wished to apply it in all areas possible through her lifestyle, by spreading awareness and by being a voice for the voiceless. She is both excited and grateful to be working alongside people with the same goals, values and compassion.

In her spare time she can be found lying in the sun with her dog, enjoying nature or managing her vegan activism blog.

Hannah Cinel

Student

Hannah Cinel is a first year law student at the University of Toronto. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Her interest in animal rights and advocacy developed when her family adopted a rescue dog in 2001 and she began fundraising for her local Humane Society. Since 2017, she has been working with foster dog agencies to help rescue dogs find their perfect home, and has a beautiful rescue Dalmatian at home. She has always loved animals and is looking forward to making an impact on animal rights in the legal community. In her spare time, she enjoys doing puzzles, making music, and cooking.

Cassie Devenyi

Student

Cassie Devenyi is in her first year at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Cassie previously completed her Bachelor of Arts & Science at McMaster University where she used her elective space to explore topics of animal welfare. Her natural love for animals soon developed into a passion for animal rights and advocacy. Cassie is looking forward to working with others to promote legal justice for animals.

In her spare time, Cassie can be found spending time with her cat Riverboat and exploring the city’s veggie restaurants.

Elle Côté

Intern

Elle Côté is a communications specialist, journalist, and gig worker holding a Bachelor of Journalism with Honours from Humber College. Elle also holds an Animal Welfare Certificate earned from Thompson Rivers University. Elle recently completed two volunteer placements with a Canadian non-profit organization, Veterinarians Without Borders, and worked abroad for the organization’s projects in Ghana and Kenya.

Elle became a vegetarian at 8 years old and has always felt a deep love and connection toward non-human animals. She hopes to further contribute to the fight for their rights at Gartner & Associates through her skills as a writer. In her spare time, Elle can be found at her neighborhood’s vegan café, reading on the subway, or checking in with the latest news from her animal rights hero, award-winning Canadian photojournalist and founder of We Animals Media, Jo-Anne McArthur.