About Us
Gartner & Associates Animal Law & Mediation is Canada’s leading animal law firm. Located in downtown Toronto, we deal exclusively with animal law matters and are dedicated to helping clients resolve animal disputes with our tailored mediation and litigation services.
With extensive and specialized knowledge and experience in animal law matters, our team understands your issues and concerns.
Our practice areas include pet custody disputes, dog breed discrimination/bite allegations, veterinary malpractice, condominium disputes involving pets, wills and estates matters for surviving pets, resolving pet insurance claims, and animal care related negligence claims.
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.
David Samuels
B.A., LL.B., Associate Lawyer
Daniel Fin
Law Student
Daniel joined Gartner & Associates as a summer law student after completing his first year at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law. Daniel now continues as a fall/winter law student. 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.
Kira Berkeley
Law Student
Kira is joining Gartner & Associates as a summer student after her second year of law at the University of Ottawa. She is focusing on animal law and environmental law in her studies and is an executive member of the school’s Animal Justice Association. Prior to law school, Kira completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music at York University.
Her interest in animal welfare started at the age of thirteen when she learned about factory farming and decided to pursue vegetarianism. She aspires to do as much as she can to protect animals and is excited to be working with like-minded people.
In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano, salsa dancing, practicing martial arts and trying new vegan recipes.
Kristina Kilinskas
Law Clerk Placement Student
Kristina is joining Gartner & Associates as a Law Clerk placement student for her final semester at Humber College. After she graduates this year from the Law Clerk program, she plans to work full-time within the field of animal law. Prior to her enrollment at Humber College, Kristina’s love for animals brought her to Brock University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Sociology and a Concentration in Critical Animal Studies. During her undergraduate studies, she joined Brock University’s club Brock Students for Animal Liberation and was an active member of the animal rights movement. Kristina came to our law firm because she has a like-minded interest in providing justice for animals and for your fellow companions. Having companion animals herself, she understands the special place they hold in your heart.
In her spare time, Kristina enjoys reading, drawing, painting, and going for hikes.
