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Who we are

Our Team

Our focus goes beyond solving problems and getting results for clients. We provide our clients with a positive experience because client service is the cornerstone of legal representation.

TAAYO SIMMONDS

At Simmonds Law we understand that communication, preparation, and execution are the pillars of a successful case.

As a former advisor to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Taayo knows how to resolve complex legal issues.

Prior to his time at the Department of Justice, Taayo worked with small business and large corporate clients at a prestigious, nationally recognized law firm.

His commitment to helping others extends beyond the courtroom. Taayo is the President of the Gwen Simmonds Foundation, a registered charity committed to alleviating poverty and empowering women by providing bursaries to single mothers enrolled in post-secondary studies. He also volunteers with the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club, Operation Come Home which supports homeless and at-risk youth, the Odawa Native Friendship Centre where he serves Ottawa’s Aboriginal community.

Expert
He obtained a B.A. in Political Science with Honours and his law degree at Dalhousie University. Taayo is licensed to practise law in Ontario and is a member of the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society.
Associate
He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, County of Carleton Lawyers Association, Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.
Honorary
Taayo also provides pro bono legal services to Canadians seeking to sponsor refugees through the Refugee Sponsorship Support Program.

JESSICA NGUYEN

Jessica studied law at the University of Ottawa and obtained options in Technology Law and Environmental Law.

As part of her legal studies, Jessica was actively involved in several public interest clinics, including the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), the Canadian Internet Policy & Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC), as well as the Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic (Ecojustice).

At PIAC and CIPPIC, Jessica focused on pressing legal implications of existing and emerging technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence, the regulation of online misinformation online, and laws applicable to third-party intermediaries such as internet service providers, search engines and social media platforms. A copy of Jessica’s paper in conjunction with CIPPIC, examining the impacts of the USMCA Intermediary Liability Provisions in Canada and the United States.

Before law school, Jessica worked as a law clerk in Toronto, focusing in commercial litigation and successfully assisted clients on issues ranging from obtaining Mareva injunction orders to setting aside fraudulent conveyances.

While pursuing her law degree, Jessica  continued to work as a law clerk in Ottawa, with exposure to estate litigation, and intellectual property litigation.  

Jessica’s twin passions for technology and social justice have her committed to advocating for structural reform to encourage access to justice. In particular, she intends to focus on leveraging existing and emerging technologies to provide high quality service at a lower cost to clients.  

In her free time Jessica enjoys video gaming, hiking with her dog Lady, and traveling the world. When not engaged in those pursuits, she enjoys unwinding by reading, and listening to podcasts about technology, branding and marketing, and economics.

Jessica is currently an articling student at Simmonds Law.

Expert
While pursuing her law degree, Jessica continued to work as a law clerk in Ottawa, with exposure to estate litigation, and intellectual property litigation.
Associate
Jessica is involved with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and served as the Vice President of Communications for the University of Ottawa – Asian Law Students’ Society.
Honorary
At Ecojustice, Jessica participated in a moot process that led to an application for Judicial Review challenging a refusal to undertake an environmental assessment of the Temagami Forest Management Plan.

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