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Meet the team of KDB Law

Our team comprises accomplished and vibrant individuals who are not only highly capable but also share a collective passion for redefining the legal landscape and contributing meaningfully to our community.

Together, we are reshaping the legal experience with a human touch.

connected by a shared purpose
Lawyer

Katie DeBlock Boersma

Katie’s ambition to become a lawyer took root at the age of 7 while growing up on a farm near Mitchell, Ontario. She attended law school at Osgoode Hall, and then moved back to the family farm where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Katie enjoys the unique opportunity afforded practicing law in rural Ontario. Balancing the complexities of a diverse and challenging legal practice, she has fostered deep connections with her community. She is Chair of the Local Community Food Centre and Chair of the Stratford Perth Museum. She is also a certified Mediator, specializing in mediating workplace and farm succession conflict. In addition, she is a former Vice Chair on the Ontario Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal. Katie is a firm believer in creating the world we want to live in with every move we make.

Lawyer

Ruby Joy

Ruby, a dual citizen of Canada and the USA, is the offspring of two actors, instilling in her a fervor for language, storytelling, community, and collaboration. Ruby spent five seasons as an actor with the Festival and decided to make Stratford her home. Her involvement with her union became a catalyst for her decision to attend law school. Now, as an associate lawyer, Ruby is delighted to contribute not only her legal expertise but also her brilliant mind and infectious energy to the dynamic mix at KDB Law. Her sincere desire to connect with clients and truly listen to them is a quality highly esteemed at KDB.

Paralegal

Brianna Sykes

Brianna grew up in Perth County, and in 2014 she earned her Honours BA from the University of Toronto. She decided to channel her love for compelling debates into a career by completing the Graduate Paralegal Studies program at Fanshawe College in 2019. Since 2020, she has been practicing as a Licensed Paralegal in the areas of Small Claims Court, Provincial Offences, Landlord/Tenant, and Employment Law. At KDB, Brianna injects vibrancy into the office atmosphere and applies her discerning insights to challenging cases, fighting fearlessly on behalf of her clients.

Lawyer

Sara Robinson

Sara was born and raised in Kitchener Waterloo. She completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo in 2005, with a major in Psychology and minors in Peace and Conflict Studies & Legal Studies and Criminology. She then obtained her LLB at the University of British Columbia, and summered and articled with a national firm. After being called to the BC Bar in 2009, she practiced at a boutique litigation firm in Vancouver, specializing in insurance, tort, and employment law matters. In 2015, she established her own legal research firm through which she developed experience in a broad range of practice areas. Sara returned to Ontario in 2016, settling in the Stratford. She was called to the Ontario Bar and continued her research practice, expanding into a solo solicitors practice in 2018. Sara's breadth of experience in the legal field contributes to her ability to assist clients with significant expertise, while ensuring her clients feel supported and heard every step along the way. Her sense of humour and strong communication skills are highly valued by the KDB team. Outside of the office Sara loves yoga, reading and traveling. She is past-VP of Avon Co-op Nursery School, taught Grade 11 Law in 2022/2023 and is currently the Legal Member of the University of Waterloo's Human Research Ethics Board.

Office Manager & Staff Accountant

LaDonna Boersma

LaDonna's upbringing on a Farrow to Finish hog operation in Perth County shaped her early years, actively contributing until her family transitioned away from Sows seven years ago. Graduating from Conestoga College with a three-year diploma in Business Administration-Accounting, she acquired skills tailored for today's modern farm operations. These capabilities proved invaluable in her subsequent roles in bookkeeping and administration. LaDonna is instrumental in providing bookkeeping and accounting services to KDB. With a few items on her daily agenda, she brings her exceptional sense of humour, remarkable work ethic, and extensive knowledge to every setting.

Administrative Support

Jane DeBlock

After an extensive career as a public health nurse, Jane is set to bring her innate talent for making people feel welcome and acknowledged to KDB Law. As one of the warm and friendly faces welcoming you at our office, Jane's wealth of experience in public health and active involvement in various community organizations will play a pivotal role in supporting KDB's mission to humanize the legal process. From aiding in the research and development of HR policies to fostering community connections, Jane will contribute significantly. She is not only a valuable resource for team members but also a familiar figure to call upon for a coffee and a morning chat when needed. For those who know Jane, there is no one else KDB would rather have in this role.

Title Searcher

Linda Diegel

Linda is a native of Stratford, Ontario. She graduated from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario and subsequently worked at law firms in the Elora/Guelph, K-W and Stratford areas while growing her expertise as a Title Searcher. Linda has over 4 decades of Title Searching experience, including 5 years with Teranet as a Certified Title Analyst during the implementation stage by the Ontario Government of converting lands in Ontario from the old Registry System to Land Titles Certified Qualified. This breadth of experience has made her the “go to” for all things title searching- including complex projects like non-coverts and vesting orders. At KDB, Linda is known as a problem solver who pays attention to detail. Her colleagues frequently reach out to her for help when those last minute complications come up on a real estate deal. Her creative and analytical thinking make her a key person in our real estate team. No social event at KDB is complete without Linda there, adding her brilliant sense of humour & kind and caring personality into the mix! Her colleagues are very grateful for the positive energy and expertise she brings to our team. In her spare time, Linda enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dog “Karma”.

Law Clerk

Tanya Gordon

Tanya serves as a legal assistant and clerk, known within the KDB team as the go-to person for both computer-related challenges and life issues. Tanya brings a wealth of experience from diverse roles held throughout her career. Her multifaceted professional background manifests in the meticulous care she invests not only in performing tasks but also in her interactions with clients at every stage. Her genuine concern for people is evident when assisting individuals with anything from scheduling a meeting to reviewing the intricacies of their case.

Administrative Support

Rachel Haefling

Rachel is from Mitchell, Ontario. She completed her high school diploma in 2025, and started work with KDB last summer. Since joining KDB, she has developed an interest in the legal field, and intends to pursue a career as a law clerk. During her year before starting post-secondary, Rachel has been helping the KDB team cover reception and administrative duties, which can range on any given day from assisting with file and document preparation, to assembling the KDB Christmas Tree! She is known by her team for her willingness to take on any task, attention to detail and positive energy. When not working at reception at KDB, Rachel is a barista at Balzac's Cafe. She also loves spending time with her family, enjoying the chaos of growing up with 2 sisters, and her friends.

Law Clerk

Janet Phillips

Bringing more than three decades of experience as a legal clerk across diverse legal domains, Janet is a pivitol member of the KDB Law team, providing invaluable expertise, skill, and knowledge. As a mother of three children and grandmother to five, Janet finds joy in traveling, hiking in forests, foraging, exploring the beach, and savoring a good bottle of wine. Known for concocting potions and teas for healing and promoting good health, Janet's life is a vibrant tapestry of experiences, ensuring that dull moments are a rarity.

Law Clerk

Michelle Reinhart

Michelle has garnered extensive experience in real estate deals, having worked on both the lending and legal sides for several years. This rich background equips her with a breadth of knowledge that she applies when assisting clients with their transactions. Naturally exuding confidence, Michelle possesses a unique ability to support and make others feel at ease. This talent is not only evident in her legal clerking work but also extends to her role as a Zumba and Pound Classes instructor. Guiding individuals through periods of change and challenge is a genuine passion for her. Within KDB, Michelle is recognized for her unwavering commitment to going the extra mile. Her caring nature and strong work ethic are invaluable assets to our team.

Law Clerk

Julia Roberts

With over a decade of experience as a law clerk, Julia has explored various legal realms, discovering her true passion lies in real estate. Guiding clients through the entire real estate transaction process, Julia leverages her expertise to simplify each step. Julia excels in communication, readily opting for a phone call when emails fall short. A genuine team player, her collaborative spirit extends beyond work to her personal life. Whether supporting colleagues in completing files, coaching her daughters' hockey and baseball teams, or actively participating in her own baseball, hockey, and volleyball pursuits, Julia is known for her unwavering commitment to getting things done. Her supportive nature at KDB is immensely valued.

Law Clerk

Rebecca Smith

Rebecca was born and raised in Stratford. She was always interested in law and criminal justice, which led her to earn her B.A Honours in Criminology in 2013 from the University of Windsor, her Ontario College Diploma for Police Foundations in 2015, followed by a Law Clerk Diploma with Honours from Trillium College in 2022. A life long lover of learning, Rebecca is currently working on obtaining her Qualified Mediator Designation with the ADR Institute of Ontario. Rebecca works in various legal fields, including family law, corporate law and estate planning. She is known by her colleagues as someone who is always willing to jump in to help get a file done, or learn something new. Part of Rebecca’s passion for the work is in helping clients work through difficult chapters in their life. This comes through in her warm and personal approach, which is felt by both KDB clients and our team. When not in the office, Rebecca can be found on weekend hiking or family camping trips with her family, traveling around the GTA to catch one of her 3 nephews’ hockey games, or spending quality time with her family and friends.

Law Clerk

Kathy Vaters

Kathy was born and raised in Stratford. She has always had a love for the law, leading her to graduate from the paralegal program at Trios College with honours. She has worked as a law clerk for over 20 years, with experience in every area of law. Her speciality is Real Estate, handling even the most complex transactions with ease. At the office she is known for her care and dedication to both her clients and her team. Even when Kathy’s plate is full, she can be found offering a helping hand to a colleague, going the extra mile for a client or coming up with a surprise for the office! Kathy is a Mom of 5 and Nana to her 4 grandchildren. She loves spending time with her family, watching her kids and grandkids play hockey and baseball, travelling and all things Disney.

Law Clerk

Jen Vosper

Jen boasts years of industry experience as a law clerk, spanning various legal domains from real estate to litigation. Her wealth of knowledge is a daily asset in providing unwavering support to our clients. In the framework of KDB, Jen serves as a grounding force, embodying care for both colleagues and clients alike. Despite a bustling workload, she consistently extends a helping hand to ensure tasks are completed successfully. Her mantra, "I'm Fine. It's Fine. Everything is Fine." resonates within our team, reflecting Jen's ability to handle complex projects seamlessly.

Law Clerk

Avery Wilhelm

Avery is a recent highschool graduate, who has started her law clerk training at KDB. Avery works alongside clerks in various areas of our practice, and is often the friendly face greeting clients when they come into our Downie Street office. Always willing to take initiative and learn new things, her team knows Avery can be relied on to help with any of the many surprise tasks that have to get done on a given day in the practice of law! She was born and raised on a funny farm just outside of Stratford. An animal lover, she enjoys spending time with the deer, dog, ducks, donkey, bunnies, chickens and cat on her farm. In addition, she loves to ride horses, play baseball and spend time with her family and friends.

Law Clerk

Emily Zimmerman

Emily has been immersed in the legal industry since 2020, donning various hats from reception and administration to legal clerking. Her diverse roles have equipped her with a unique understanding of our clients' needs at every stage. A fearless advocate for embracing new challenges, Emily thrives on learning something new each day, making the legal field her ideal playground. Her unwavering calmness shines even in the most demanding environments, earning her a reputation as the steady presence that helps the team navigate chaos and regroup. As a law clerk, Emily provides comprehensive support to Brianna across all facets of her practice. You'll also find her as a familiar face at the reception when you visit the office

Contact KDB Law

Embarking on a legal journey may seem daunting, but at KDB Law, we’re here to turn uncertainties into solutions. Your concerns matter, and our experienced team is ready to provide clarity and support.

Let’s start a conversation about your unique situation, understand your needs, and explore how we can advocate for your best interests. Reach out today, and let us be your trusted partners on the path to resolution. 

Our Address

14 Erie Street
Stratford, ON

How to Reach Us

226-906-0906
[email protected]