Meet Our Team
Elisabeth Messner Henning
B.Sc. (Hons.), J.D.
Areas of Expertise:
Corporate/Commercial
Real Estate
Wills and Estates
Education:
Admitted to Ontario Bar – 2015
J.D., University of Ottawa – 2014
B.Sc. (Hon.), University of Ottawa – 2011
Hugh Hammond
B.A. (Hons.), LL.B.
Hugh is a Partner of Hammond LLP with a practice focused on Corporate and Commercial Law, Real Estate, and Wills and Estates.
Hugh takes a practical approach to solving legal issues and helping clients achieve their goals. He has experience providing advice to individuals and a broad range of businesses, including: start ups, family run businesses, not-for-profit organizations, larger organizations operating provincially and federally, and Canadian subsidiaries of international companies.
Active in the community, Hugh currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation. He previously sat on the executive of the Leeds and Grenville Law Association and has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, and the Brockville Country Club. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, and the Leeds and Grenville Law Association.
Areas of Expertise:
Corporate/Commercial
Real Estate
Wills and Estates
Education:
Admitted to Ontario Bar – 2010
L.L.B., University of Alberta – 2009
B.A. (Hon.), Queen’s University – 2005
Charles Hammond
B.A., J.D.
Charles is an experienced and trusted lawyer whose practice is focused on three core areas: estate litigation and administration, real property disputes, and the defence of professional negligence claims against lawyers, particularly in the areas of real estate and estate law. Charles also has considerable experience with alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.
Estate Litigation and Estate Administration
Charles represents executors, beneficiaries, trustees, and other parties in a full spectrum of estate-related matters. His litigation practice includes will challenges involving capacity and undue influence, claims under dependent support legislation, contested passings of accounts, disputes between co-trustees, breaches of fiduciary duty, and issues concerning joint ownership and resulting or constructive trusts. He also provides guidance on estate administration, helping clients manage their legal obligations in the administration of simple and complex estates alike.
Charles is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), an internationally recognized organization of professionals specializing in trust and estate work, and brings both technical proficiency and strategic insight to every estate matter he handles. He understands the sensitive nature of estate disputes and approaches each file with professionalism and clarity.
Real Property Disputes
Charles acts in a wide variety of real property disputes in matters involving legal and equitable ownership of land. His practice includes co-ownership conflicts, failed or disputed real estate transactions, constructive trust and unjust enrichment claims, and rectification of instruments and title-related issues.
Professional Negligence
A growing focus of Charles’s practice is professional negligence, with particular emphasis on matters involving real property and estate issues. He advises insurers and professionals on issues involving errors in real estate transactions, title defects, failed undertakings, negligent advice as well as improper will drafting, estate administration errors, and breaches of duty by solicitor-executors or estate planning counsel. Drawing on his extensive experience in litigation, estates, and property law, Charles provides risk-informed guidance to professionals and their insurers to prevent losses, manage exposure, and resolve complex professional liability issues before they escalate.
Areas of Expertise:
Litigation
Education:
Admitted to Ontario Bar – 2013
J.D., Queen’s University – 2012
B.A., McGill University – 2009
Reported Decisions
Charles has acted as counsel in several matters resulting in reported decisions:
• 2264052 Ontario Inc. v. HarbourEdge Realty Administration Corporation, 2025 ONSC 5022 (CanLII)
• Shaver-Kudell Manufacturing Inc. v. Knight Manufacturing Inc., 2024 ONSC 829 -(successful summary judgment motion in action involving the theft of trade secrets)
• Estate of Harold James Saunders et al v Isaac, 2023 ONSC 4145 (successful application for a declaration concerning an alleged interest in real property in an estate matter)
• Grattan v. Estate of Nadene Grattan, unreported – (Charles brought the first successful application in Ontario to validate a will pursuant to Section 21.1(1) of the Succession Law Reform Act).
• Jeff Day Hospitality Inc. v. Heritage Conservation Holdings, Canada, Inc., 2022 ONCA 201 (successful defence of appeal involving dispute related to the agreement of purchase of sale of a commercial property)
• Shaver-Kudell Manufacturing Inc. v. Knight Manufacturing Inc., 2021 ONCA 202 (complex appeal involving the discharge of a bankrupt under s. 178 of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act)
• Middleton Estate v. Middleton, 2020 ONCA 552 (successful appeal involving an estate administration issue)
• Miracle v. Maracle, 2019 ONCA 238 (successful appeal involving an Arbitration matter)
• 1324789 Ontario Inc. v. Marshall et al., 2019 ONSC 7592 (successful defence of a motion for finding of contempt)
• 1652620 Ontario Inc. v. Cornerstone Builders Ltd., 2018 ONCA 973 — (successful appeal of a summary judgment motion)
Ainslie C. Coleman
B.N.Sc., L.L.B.
Ainslie C. Coleman is a Partner at Hammond LLP, practicing primarily in the areas of Residential Real Estate, Wills and Powers of Attorney, and Estate Administration. With over 25 years of legal experience, Ainslie is widely respected for her client-centred approach and her ability to provide clear, practical legal advice tailored to each individual’s needs.
Ainslie earned her Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) from Queen’s University in 1998 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000. She also holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) from Queen’s University, obtained in 1995. Her dual background in law and nursing uniquely positions her to support clients with compassion, professionalism, and a deep understanding of sensitive personal matters.
Born and raised in Brockville, Ainslie is deeply committed to her community. She has volunteered her time and expertise to numerous organizations, including the Rose Garden Family Support Centre, the Community Liaison/Community Resources Committee and Access to Justice Committee of the Leeds and Grenville Law Association, and the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation. Ainslie is an active member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Leeds and Grenville Law Association. Through her work and volunteer efforts, she continues to serve her clients and community with dedication and integrity.
Areas of Expertise:
Residential Real Estate
Wills and Estate Administration
Education:
Admitted to Ontario Bar – 2000
Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) – Queen’s University – 1998
Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (R.N.) – 1995
Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) – Queen’s University – 1995
