After an accomplished academic career, Charles was called to the Bar in 1980, and he became a Partner in Creighton Law LLP in 1982. In his practice of law, he serves his clients primarily in Family Law, Real Estate, and Wills and Estates.

In Family Law, Charles advises and represents clients regarding divorce, custody, access, division of property and support, as well as marriage contracts and separation agreements. He also advises and represents parents and children involved in child welfare proceedings. He is a very experienced litigator in both collaborative and adversarial contexts.

In Real Estate, Charles represents clients in the purchase and sale of personal and commercial property. He understands and appreciates that these transactions are often the largest, and therefore the most important, financial transactions undertaken by his clients.

In Wills and Estates, Charles provides clients with the peace of mind in the knowledge that their affairs are in order during their lifetime (Powers of Attorney) and after death (Wills). He also provides professional advice and representation when Estates need to be challenged or defended.

Charles has successfully represented clients in all levels of Courts in Ontario, including the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal.

The guiding principles in his legal career have always been service and integrity.

Charles believes that effective advice and advocacy consists of a solid understanding of the law and a practice focused on respect, for both his clients and the legal profession. He works with his clients to meet their legal needs in a practical, compassionate, and cost-effective manner. His clients appreciate his thorough legal knowledge and understanding of the physical, emotional, and financial challenges each client and their family must face. Charles is proud to be entrusted by his clients with their most personal affairs and he is committed to maintaining that trust by delivering the highest quality legal work.

As an established and well-known Lawyer in the region, Charles is often called upon by other Lawyers for advice on how to act, or how to resolve a particular problem. He believes this speaks to his reputation as a leader in the local legal community, and as an effective advocate for his clients.

Charles is proud of the breadth and depth of his legal career, having served in numerous capacities within the legal system beyond his private practice of law, including: serving as Director and President of the Durham Region Law Association, serving as part time Crown Attorney prosecuting criminal cases, representing children as an Agent of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, serving as a Dispute Resolution Officer assisting the Court of with the volume of cases brought to it for resolution, being one of very few Lawyers who have served as a Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court for over forty years.

All of these professional roles and experiences contribute to the depth of understanding, judgement and council with which Charles serves all of his clients.

Charles balances his busy professional career with a strong commitment to community service, having held many leadership roles over the years, in a variety of charitable organizations. Among these are Lakeridge Health Foundation, Ontario Philharmonic, United Way, Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre and Big Sisters. His leadership and impact in the community over his career was recognized in 2014 when Charles was awarded the Business Person of the Year Award by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.

Ontario, 1980

University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
LL.B. – 1978, Honours: Special Achievement Award

Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
B.A., Honours: Dean’s List, Major: Economics

Business Person of the Year, Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, 2014 – 2015

Durham Region Law Association, Member, 1980 – Present
Durham Region Law Association, Past President
Ontario Deputy Judges Association, Member, 2012 – Present
Law Society of Upper Canada, Member, 1980 – Present

Beck. v. Beckett, 2011 CarswellOnt 8467; 4 R.F.L. (7th) 48 (Ontario Court of Appeal 2011)

Dubourdieu v. Dubourdieu, 2006 CarswellOnt 4475 (Ontario Court of Appeal 2002)

R. v. Greenwood, 1992 CarswellOnt 67; 70 C.C.C. (3d) 260; 70 O.R. (3d) 1 (Ontario Court of Appeal 1992)

Children’s Aid Society of Durham (County) v. B. (V.L.), 2002 CarswellOnt 1989 (Ont. S.C.J.) April 22, 2002

Children’s Aid Society of Durham (County) v. L. (M.M.), 2002 CarswellOnt 1133; 113 A.C.W.S. (3d) 1006 (Ont. S.C.J.) April 16, 2002

Hansen v. Hansen, 1998 CarswellOnt 4640; 82 O.T.C. 340; 84 A.C.W.S. (3d) 313 (Ont C.J. (Gen Div.), November 20, 1998

Hansen v. Hansen, 1999 CarswellOnt 540 (Ont C. J. (Gen Div.), February 9, 1999

R.v. Leopold, 1989 CarswellOnt 2692; 6 W.C.B. (2d) 281 (Ont. Dist. Ct.), June 3, 1989

White v. Johnston, 1986 CarswellOnt 360; 10 C.P.C. (2d) 63 (Ont. Dist. Ct.), March 19, 1986

Ontario (Director, Family Support Plan) v. McGuinness, 1996 CarswellOnt 3201; 64 A.C.W.S. (3d) 1340 (Ont. Prov. Ct.)

Y. (A) v. K. (L), 1987 CarswellOnt 308; [1987] W.D.F.L. 1138; 4 A.C.W.S. (3d) 235; 7 R.F.L. (3d) 91 (Ont. Prov. Ct.), March 26, 1987

R. v. Jupiter, 1997 CarswellOnt 4358; [1997] O.J. No. 4645, 36 W.C.B. (2d) 394; 48 C.R.R. (2d) 308 (Ont. Prov. Ct.), November 3, 1997

R. v. Jupiter, 1997 CarswellOnt 4784; [1997] O.J. No. 4856; 36 W.C.B. (2d) 395 (Ont. Prov. Ct.), November 6, 1997

R. v. Jupiter, 1998 CarswellOnt 2468; [1998] O.J. No. 2492; 38 W.C.B. (2d) 473 (Ont. Prov. Ct.), February 19, 1998

Grant v. Sehdev, 1987 CarswellOnt 5253; 3 A.C.W.S. (3d) 421 (Sml. Cl. Ct., Morison J.), February 26, 1987

Lakeridge Health Foundation, 2006 – Present
Ontario Philharmonic, 2006 – Present
United Way, 1989 – 2003
Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, 1997 – Present
Oshawa Golf Club, 1993 – 2001
Big Sisters, 1984 – 1992
Oshawa Ski Club, 1979 – 1991

My experience dealing with Creighton law has exceeded my expectations. Great staff, Very professional, kind and understanding. The service we received was first class. I used their services for a move. The transition was very detailed and clear. Nice and easy. :) Couldn’t ask for more!

I’ve dealt with this law firm for 30+ years and have always had very professional, thorough and friendly people work for me. They provide great insight and advice on complex issues based on their deep experience. I highly recommend the firm.