About Us
Gartner & Associates Animal Law 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 an animal lawyer and mediator. She completed her Master of Laws degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Osgoode Hall Law School combining mediation methodology with the emerging field of animal law. Suzana launched the first law firm in Canada dedicated exclusively to animal law matters. She has successfully helped many clients settle their cases using a mediated approach in the following areas: alleged dog bite incidents, dog “breed” bans, dog and cat custody disputes between separating couples, condominium disputes involving pets, incidents of injury or death of a beloved pet as a result of negligence, breeder disputes, insurance claims, equine-related matters, and many other animal-related disputes.
David Samuels
B.A., LL.B., Associate Lawyer, Litigator
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 BCom 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.
Olena Stevenson
BComm, CPA, CMA
Olena graduated from the University of Ottawa with a major in Accounting and earned her professional accounting designation as a Chartered Accountant. Olena is the firm accountant for Gartner & Associates and proud to be part of a team committed to giving a voice to animals in our society.
Olena also has her own bookkeeping and accounting firm OM Bookkeeper. Her firm focuses on providing bookkeeping to companies and non-profits working for good causes, specifically on animal welfare issues and vegan lifestyle.
Olena is very active with environmental and animal welfare causes. Olena dedicates her time volunteering for numerous organizations, such as: Toronto Bruce Trail Club, The Literacy Group, etc. She is founding a new charitable organization the Grand River Veg Association and working on Vegan Theatre project together with other animal lovers.