Meet Our Lawyers
Peter A. Howie
Partner
Peter A. Howie serves clients across Ontario's north in criminal defence, family law, and child protection law. Originally from Kingston, Peter began his legal career in Toronto as a student with Ontario's Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Infrastructure, and later articled with Environment and Land Tribunals Ontario and Safety, Licensing Appeals, and Standards Tribunals Ontario. Prior to law school, he was a Senior Policy Advisor with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Peter currently serves as the chair of the Fort Frances Municipal Accommodation Tax committee and is a co-founder and director of Borderland Pride. He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental biology from the University of Guelph and a law degree from Western University.
T 807-797-2023
Douglas W. Judson
Partner
Douglas W. Judson began his practice with the Toronto office of one of Canada's leading law firms. He now practices primarily in civil litigation, human rights, estate litigation, and municipal law. His practice supports a number of institutional clients, Indigenous organizations, private businesses, and not-for-profit corporations. He also assists other law firms through subcontracted litigation services, such as legal research and drafting. Doug is a former municipal councillor, the past chair of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, and a former director on the board of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. He currently serves on the boards of the Northwest Community Legal Clinic and Borderland Pride. Doug holds bachelors degrees in political science (BSocSc) and commerce (BCom) from the University of Ottawa, and a JD/MBA from Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business. In 2020, he was an Action Canada fellow, in 2024, he received the Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Association Gold Key Award, and in 2025, his legal advocacy was recognized by the Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers.
T 807-797-2023
McLean Ayearst
Associate Lawyer
McLean Ayearst comes to our firm from a career focused on safeguarding the rights of vulnerable persons. He brings experience in legal clinic settings, through articling with Legal Aid Ontario in the family, criminal, and refugee offices and working as a legal advisor for vulnerable persons in Egypt and Thailand. Prior to joining our firm, McLean worked in human rights with the United Nations in Geneva, Sudan, and Lebanon. McLean obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) and Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from McGill University in 2016. He also holds a specialized honours degree in international development studies from York University.
T 807-208-0354
Cassandra Spade
Associate Lawyer
Cassandra Spade is a human rights advocate from Mishkeegogamang First Nation who shares close local connections to Couchiching First Nation. Cass graduated from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University in 2025, where she delivered the first valedictorian address in Anishinaabemowin. In 2025, she received the Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize, which is awarded to a law student who is most likely to positively influence equity and social justice in Canada. Cass brings to her practice experience from working with Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) on cases to advance gender equality in Canada. When she is not studying law, you can find Cass providing Anishinaabe language and cultural programming for Gaa-minwaajindizowaaj (GAAM), an organization she founded in 2020. Cassandra assists clients in Indigenous law, family law, and civil litigation.
T 807-208-0411
Amanda Buttineau
Legal Assistant / Law Clerk
Amanda Buttineau joined the firm following her move to Rainy River in July 2024. She brings a focused, client-centred approach, assisting counsel in family law, criminal law, and civil litigation matters. She graduated with Honours from CTS Canadian Career College in April 2025 with a Law Clerk Diploma. She is a proud member of the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario. Outside the office, Amanda leads a vibrant life on her rural property with her husband and four children, managing their family farm. She is also an independent travel agent helping clients plan custom travel experiences. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, she embraces everything Northwestern Ontario has to offer, from hunting and fishing to exploring the region’s natural landscapes.
T 807-797-2023