Cassels

Canadian Corporate Law Firm

University of Ottawa

Nicola Woods

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Nicola Woods (she/her/hers) is an associate in the Banking & Specialty Finance Group at Cassels. Nicola graduated from the J.D. program at the University of Windsor. While in law school, Nicola was an active member of her student community, acting as a Social Orientation Committee member and a volunteer for Windsor Law’s Peer Mentorship Program where she helped first year students with the transition to law school. Prior to joining Cassels as an associate, Nicola was both a summer and articling student with the firm.

Prior to attending law school, Nicola held various Merchandising and Logistics roles at one of Canada’s premier retailers. She holds a Bachelor of Business Management Degree with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Dalhousie University.

In her spare time Nicola enjoys cycling, pilates and going on walks with her dog.

Camély Gendron

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Camély Gendron (she/her) is is an associate in the Business Law Group at Cassels. She recently graduated Cum Laude from the combined Bachelor of Commerce/Juris Doctor program at the University of Ottawa. Prior to joining Cassels as an associate, Camély was both a summer and articling student with the firm.

While obtaining her dual degree, Camély was actively involved as a Peer Mentor for the Telfer School of Management and as a Resume and Cover Letter Specialist for the Common Law faculty. She was also the French Editor-in-Chief for the Canadian Law Review where she reviewed and edited various articles.

Camély was also involved in the Common Law Student Society where she was part of the Translation Committee and the VP French Committee. She is also the Chair of the Canada Soccer Ethics Committee where she reviews complaints from various Canadian soccer associations. Camély has also worked at a trilingual primary school as a substitute teacher, where she has been able to leverage her fluency in English, French, and Spanish. Prior to joining Cassels, Camély was working for a full-service law firm in Ottawa.

In her spare time, Camély enjoys baking, alpine skiing in Mont-Tremblant, travelling and hiking with her friends and family.

Matthew Lakatos-Hayward

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Matthew Lakatos-Hayward (he/him/his) is an associate in the Municipal, Planning & Environmental Group at Cassels. Matthew’s practice focuses on environmental law, municipal, and land-use planning matters. His clients include developers and contractors, industrial and extractive industry businesses, investment funds, landowners, and farmers. He has also acted for municipalities and other public entities. Matthew regularly advises on all aspects of the development approval process, including with respect to planning approvals, municipal and construction approvals, environmental impact assessments, and environmental permits.

Matthew also advises industrial and commercial clients on compliance with environmental laws. His experience includes assessing the risk associated with existing environmental policies and assisting clients with establishing and implementing appropriate policies. He also advises clients on responding to requests for environmental regulators and defends them against any environmental prosecution.

Matthew has appeared before the Federal Court of Canada, the Ontario Superior and Divisional Courts, and Provincial Offences Court. He regularly appears before various administrative tribunals, including the Ontario Land Tribunal, the Normal Farm Practices Board, and the Toronto Local Appeal Body. He has also appeared before municipal councils, Committees of Adjustment, and multi-party arbitrations and mediations.

Matthew has been recommended in the area of Environmental Law by The Legal 500 Canada.

Prior to joining Cassels, Matthew served as an associate at another national Canadian law firm.

Jacqueline Gerson

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Jacqueline (Jackie) Gerson (she/her/hers) was a member of the 2024 Summer Student class at Cassels and will return as an Articling Student in 2025.

 

Aye-Lama Bah

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Aye-Lama Bah (she/her/hers) was a member of the 2024 Summer Student class at Cassels and will return as an Articling Student in 2025.

Liliya Baranova

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Liliya Baranova (she/her/hers) was a member of the 2024 Summer Student class at Cassels and will return as an Articling Student in 2025.