Article provided by Cheryl Stelzer
On November 28, 1996, The Guelph Mercury ran an announcement in the Business Section titled “New Team in Town.”
The picture that ran highlighted six wonderful women, who together supported each other as we managed the ups and downs of entering Osgoode Law School as a later-in-life challenge. All women went on to have fulfilling and successful careers in the practice of Law.
Tricia Sinclair became the City of Guelph Solicitor (now retired). I joined with Marnie Smith and opened Smith and Stelzer in September of 1996. Nancy McIvor and Jean Franklin Hancher are now enjoying retirement. Sadly, Marnie Smith and Carolyn Thomas have passed away and they will be forever missed.
The article highlighted that “our focus in respect to clients’ problems was guided by the emphasis on lasting solutions.” I can confirm that over my 27 years of practicing law in Guelph, that emphasis has never changed!
One Door Closes, Another Opens
In November of 2023, I am adding yet another adventure to my life as a lawyer in Guelph. In December, I am closing my private law practice under the name of Stelzer Law Office, which has been housed at 363 Woolwich Street in Guelph since the summer of 2011. I have enjoyed my years of practicing Family Law and the challenges that came with it.
My client base has grown and the repeat business that has arisen as a result has been appreciated. My repeat clients have not always returned to deal only with Family Law matters, rather I have also assisted with their Estate Planning and fulfilled their need for a Real Estate lawyer as required.
Joining SobaraLaw
At this time, I am downsizing my workload. However, as is typical for me, it is not over. I am so excited to advise that, after some discussions with Sam Sorbara from SorbaraLaw Sorbara, Schumacher, McCann LLP, he and his wonderful team have decided to take a chance on me. They have invited me to join their Law Firm situated at 457 Woolwich Street in Guelph. I am looking forward to new challenges and, of course, some additional free time to determine what contributions I might make in this beautiful city.
I would also like to assure my many clients and friends that Michelle Rozanski, J.D., who joined my office over five years ago, is also moving to SorbaraLaw. Her energy and intellect keep me challenged; however, I am pleased to see her striving and moving forward in what, no doubt, will be a long and successful career as a Family Law lawyer.
Michelle has made a commitment to the practice of Family Law and she looks forward to developing her skills in the areas of mediation, collaboration and litigation where each case might lead her. She is welcoming new clients to the fold and I would invite you to reach out to her directly.
It is my wish to invite my former clients and any potential clients to contact me by calling (519) 836-1510 in the New Year!
I will be pleased to share my experience by guiding you on how best to approach your Family Law matters and we will ensure that you are supported both by me, and by the experienced staff at SorbaraLaw starting in January, 2024.