Headquarters:

77 City Centre Drive, West Tower, Suite 300, Mississauga, Ontario, L5B 1M5

Year founded:

1948

Number of partners and employees:

23 partners, 17 associates, 50 support staff

Phone:

519 672 5666

Email:

info@pallettvalo.com

Website:

pallettvalo.com

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/company/pallett-valo-llp

“Everything we do as an organization is to serve our agents in a meaningful way, which is to provide industry-leading insurance solutions when they need them the most”

Mark Maher, Jencap

PALLETT VALO LLP

John Russo

Managing Partner

Anne Kennedy

Partner, Risk and Practice Management

Maria Ruberto

Partner

Leadership

In his role as managing partner, John Russo is responsible for guiding Pallett Valo’s Canadian and international strategies while championing the firm’s core beliefs and philosophy. Through his leadership, Russo strives to incorporate the firm’s values of excellence, integrity, and respect in everyday operations. He believes the best way to serve clients is to understand their industry and business environment and align them with the right expertise, experience, and value. In addition to his management responsibilities, Russo has a broad and diverse commercial litigation practice and represents clients in complex business litigation disputes.

Managing Partner

John Russo

For over 30 years, Anne Kennedy has been involved in various management roles at Pallett Valo, including two terms as managing partner. Since 2021, she has held the role of partner, risk and practice management, where she manages conflicts and ethics issues that arise in the modern practice of law. Kennedy serves as an advisor to the Executive Committee and oversees the firm’s knowledge management. She is also a member of the firm’s Management Committee.

Partner, Risk and Practice Management

Anne Kennedy

Maria Ruberto is a partner of the firm and leads its construction practice. As a certified specialist in construction law, she assists clients with addressing construction and infrastructure-related disputes. She provides practical advice to clients and seeks solutions to assist in the timely resolution of disputes, utilizing various dispute-resolution mechanisms, including mediation, adjudication, and arbitration. Representing owners, including municipalities, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and sureties, Ruberto is typically involved in complex multi-party proceedings where liability is hotly contested. She is recognized by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and is also a Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers.

Partner

Maria Ruberto

“Everything we do as an organization is to serve our agents in a meaningful way, which is to provide industry-leading insurance solutions when they need them the most”

Mark Maher, Jencap

“Our team has successfully executed on an aggressive acquisition and integration plan over the last few years, which has contributed greatly to our strong market position”

John Jennings, Jencap

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“Our team has successfully executed on an aggressive acquisition and integration plan over the last few years, which has contributed greatly to our strong market position”

John Jennings, Jencap

“Everything we do as an organization is to serve our agents in a meaningful way, which is to provide industry-leading insurance solutions when they need them the most”

Mark Maher, Jencap

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Graham Phoenix

Partner and Executive Committee Member

Graham Phoenix founded and leads the firm’s bankruptcy, insolvency, and restructuring group and is a member of the Executive Committee. He advises on refinancings, reorganizations, distressed investments, security enforcement, and restructuring matters under both federal and provincial statutes. Phoenix has significant cross-border experience and has appeared before all levels of Ontario courts, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the US Bankruptcy Court. In addition to insolvency matters, he also advises on corporate transactions, lending, and directors’ liability.

Partner and Executive Committee Member

Graham Phoenix

Ian S. Scarlett

Partner and Executive Committee Member

Ian S. Scarlett has over two decades of experience advising mid-market businesses and high-net-worth individuals on complex corporate matters. His practice focuses on corporate reorganizations, M&As, corporate finance, joint ventures, and governance. Scarlett has extensive experience working with owner-operated and public companies in Canada and assisting foreign businesses with inbound Canadian legal needs. He has advised clients in transportation, logistics, automotive, technology, and electric vehicle infrastructure, helping businesses scale from start-ups to established enterprises.  A former managing partner of Loopstra Nixon, Scarlett played a key role in shaping the firm’s direction and continues to contribute to strategic planning and firm leadership as a member of the Executive Committee.

Partner and Executive Committee Member

Ian S. Scarlett

Pallett Valo LLP is one of the largest and most respected law firms in Peel Region, with roots in the community reaching back to 1948. The firm practices in the areas of business law; commercial litigation; commercial real estate; construction; insurance defence; employment and labour; and wills, estates, and trusts. Pallett Valo’s lawyers are among the leading practitioners in their fields, with its experts’ reputations built through involvement in some of Canada’s most complex and pivotal business issues. The firm built its reputation by both protecting and growing its clients’ business assets and by offering a refreshingly distinct Right-sized Thinking® approach to service. Pallett Valo takes the time to understand its clients’ business and industry environment, and then applies its expertise, experience, and entrepreneurial spirit to make the difference. The firm measures its success by the success of its clients. Right-sized Thinking® is built on a solid foundation of values that Pallett Valo applies both inside the firm and through its dealing with clients. The firm strives to incorporate its values of excellence, integrity, and respect into everything it does and believes this is what sets Pallett Valo apart as a law firm and as people.

“Our team has successfully executed on an aggressive acquisition and integration plan over the last few years, which has contributed greatly to our strong market position”

John Jennings, Jencap

JA Sandy Nixon

Founding Partner and Executive Committee Member

Steven C. Ferri

Partner and Executive Committee Member

Samantha Scimmi

Chief Operating Officer

Pat Carrano

Chief Financial Officer

Sandy Nixon is a founding partner of Loopstra Nixon. His practice focuses on M&As, corporate finance, and tax and succession planning. Nixon represents both lenders and borrowers, handling complex financing structures across industries. He also assists corporations and private individuals with wealth management, tax-driven reorganizations, and business transitions. In addition to his legal practice, Nixon plays a key role in the firm’s national and international relationships. As a member of the Executive Committee, he contributes to the firm’s strategic planning and growth.

Founding Partner and Executive Committee Member

JA Sandy Nixon

Steven C. Ferri is a partner in the firm’s Municipal, Land Use Planning and Development Law Group and a member of the Executive Committee. He advises public and private sector clients on planning, environmental, and municipal matters, including expropriation, by-law compliance, and election law. Ferri represents municipalities, private companies, electricity generators, and real estate developers on a wide range of development and regulatory matters. He has appeared before municipal authorities and tribunals, including the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), Conservation Review Board, and municipal councils.

Partner and Executive Committee Member

Steven C. Ferri

As chief operating officer, Samantha Scimmi leads Loopstra Nixon’s operational strategy, ensuring the firm runs efficiently and effectively. Since joining in 2015, she has played a key role in streamlining operations, enhancing client services, and fostering a high-performance culture across all departments.  Scimmi focuses on process optimization, resource management, and firm-wide initiatives that support the firm’s long-term success. A member of the senior leadership team, she works closely with firm leadership to drive strategic initiatives and create an environment where talent thrives. 

Chief Operating Officer

Samantha Scimmi

Pat Carrano is the chief financial officer at Loopstra Nixon LLP, bringing over 35 years of finance experience in the legal sector. Since joining in 2019, he has played a key role in modernizing financial operations and ensuring fiscal stability. As CFO, Carrano oversees financial strategy, risk management, and operational planning. A long-time member of TLOMA, he currently serves as president of the board and has previously held roles as finance SIG leader and vice president.

Chief Financial Officer

Pat Carrano

Chief Financial Officer

Pat Carrano

Chief Financial Officer

Pat Carrano

“Despite the challenging claims environment, QBE’s coverage and risk appetite have remained consistent. Brokers and customers know and understand our risk appetite and the cover we offer, providing them with certainty for the future,” says Erica Kofie, head of cyber proposition. “We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions.” Kofie adds, “Through 2022, QBE successfully delivered significant growth in the cyber sector, reflecting the depth and strength of our team. We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations.”

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Earlene Huntley

Group Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz has been practicing corporate and commercial law for over 20 years, with an emphasis on the financial services industry. She joined CAA Club Group in 2014, and currently serves as the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer of CCG and its affiliated companies. At CCG, Melissa provides strategic legal advice on a broad range of matters including corporate governance, licensing, distribution, marketing and advertising, commercial contracts and regulatory compliance. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.CL) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from McGill University and a Certificate in Regulatory Compliance for Financial Institutions from Osgoode.

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

Earlene Huntley joined CAA in 2014 as director, tax and was promoted to AVP, tax in 2016, and to her current role as group chief financial officer of CAA Club Group in February 2017. In her role, she is responsible for all aspects of finance. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies where she earned her BSc. Accounting (Hons) and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the United Kingdom.

Group Chief Financial Officer

Earlene Huntley

Simon Williams

Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955

Simon Williams

Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955

Group Chief Financial Officer

Earlene Huntley

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Earlene Huntley

Group Chief Financial Officer

Earlene Huntley

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

“Our thriving agency partnerships, long-tenured carrier relationships and strong leadership team are proof of Jencap’s values-centric work environment,” says Mark Maher, president of Jencap. “Everything we do as an organization is to serve our agents in a meaningful way, which is to provide industry-leading insurance solutions when they need them the most. Our brokers internally work very collaboratively. We check our egos at the door and work together to set our agency partners and their clients up for success by leveraging each other’s geographic expertise, carrier relationships and contracts, and technical expertise,” he adds. Jencap’s areas of specialization include environmental; workers’ compensation; property; construction; habitational/real estate; transportation/garage; cannabis; cyber, management, and professional liability; manufacturing; healthcare; and many more.

Jencap is committed to employing innovative enterprise-wide technology solutions that support their underwriters in making more timely and effective risk decisions. As such, they launched Two Sigma Insurance Quantified’s SubmissionIQ in 2022. SubmissionIQ equips their underwriters with the data they need to make smart and strategic risk assessments, further supporting them in implementing best-in-class business processes. The common thread woven through Jencap’s success is its people, as they have the best brokers and support staff in the industry. Fun fact: 20% of Jencap’s staff are employee equity holders. They don’t just say that their team members “own it” – they really do! This adds a unique layer of commitment and dedication to their job and the company’s success. “Our team has successfully executed on an aggressive acquisition and integration plan over the last few years, which has contributed greatly to our strong market position. Each acquisition has provided geographic expansion, new market access, exclusive programs and niche specialization,” says Jencap Chief Executive Officer John Jennings. To date, they have acquired 19 companies and rebranded 10 of those companies to Jencap. Click here for more information on Jencap.

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BDM support

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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance

Hospitality

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Broker communication, training and development

BDM support

Turnaround time – claims

Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance

Hospitality

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building partnerships strategic, proactive approach referral-driven growth efficiency and expertise exceeding expectations

“Our priorities are clear: strengthen our market leadership, deepen our expertise, and remain the firm of choice for businesses that need legal advisors who move at their pace,” notes Saad. “Our target is to continue redefining what a law firm can be – bold, agile, aligned, and audacious in everything we do.”  Loopstra Nixon’s key practice areas include banking and financial services, business law, litigation and dispute resolution, municipal and land use planning, real estate, labour and employment, franchising law, technology and intellectual property, wills, trusts and estates, and bankruptcy, insolvency, and restructuring.   It serves clients across Canada and globally through its network of affiliates at LawExchange International. 