Executive & Committees

Executive Committee

President

Jacqueline Fortner

Jacqueline is a Partner at Dyer Brown LLP, practicing in Insurance Law. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2016 after obtaining her Juris Doctor from Western University in 2015. Jacqueline has been a Trustee of the Middlesex Law Association since 2018 and also serves on the Board of Directors for the not-for-profit, investing in Children. Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her children, searching for the best coffee in the city, and testing out new cookie recipes.

Vice-President

Greg Willson

Greg Willson is a partner at Lerners and works exclusively in their personal injury department. As a personal injury lawyer, Greg works on serious injury and fatality cases involving adults, children and their families. Greg was recognized by the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch in Canada” in Personal Injury.

Greg is an experienced speaker and lecturer; he has spoken at a number of seminars and has been an invited speaker with treatment and health care providers across Ontario on numerous occasions. Greg is a multi-year board member of the Brain Injury Association of London and Region and is the Vice President for the Middlesex Law Association.

Greg’s love for football has developed into his dedication to the London Junior Mustangs, he is a dedicated Board member and Head coach of the U 18 OSFL Champions! Greg is a dedicated husband and father to his three young children, Lily, Xavier, Valerie and dog dad to Sonny!

Treasurer

Leslie Jack

Leslie Jack is an Associate Lawyer at Shillington McCall LLP where she specializes in insurance defence, including matters related to accident benefits, breach of fiduciary duty, and tort claims. Fully bilingual, Leslie holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Toulouse 1 Capitole and two Masters of Laws (LL.M.) degrees—one from the University of Ottawa and the other from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Outside of her legal practice, Leslie is a committed community volunteer, currently serving as a Board Trustee for the Middlesex Law Association, Wellkin Child & Youth Mental Wellness, and Leads Employment. She is also an active member of the Canadian Black Lawyers Association, L’Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario, and the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association. In her personal time, Leslie is an enthusiastic long-distance runner, and enjoys the balance running provides to her busy professional life.

Past President

Nicola Circelli

Nicola is the founder of Nicola Circelli Law, focusing on the areas of criminal defence, mental health and estates. She has appeared at all levels of court within the province and has successfully defended clients at trial. Nicola is passionate about her client’s cause and works hard to seek the best resolution possible for them.

Nicola is Vice-President of the Criminal Lawyer’s Association of London, a member of the Provincial Criminal Lawyer’s Association, the Law and Mental Disorder Association, the Women in Canadian Criminal Defence and regularly volunteers in the London community.

Having previously completed a Masters in International Human Rights Law, Nicola represented her University in the International Criminal Law Trial Competition in The Hague and was a member of the University of Leicester Women’s Soccer team.

Committees

Bench & Bar

Rasha El-Tawil, John A. Nicholson, Dara M. Lambe, Leslie Jack

Practice Area Committees

Practice Area Committees of the Board comprise: Carolynn Conron, James Zegers, Jesica Cacciavillani, John Brennan, Kimberly Cura, Mark Simpson, Shane Roberts, Tahwila Husaini and Waheedah El-Bagdady. All MLA Practice Area Committees are led by a Trustee and are comprised of both Trustee and MLA members. If you wish to join a Committee, please reach out to the Trustee lead.

The MLA is closely linked with the Middlesex Criminal Lawyers Association (MCLA) and the Middlesex Family Lawyers Association (MFLA) and occasionally partner on events in support of our members, many of whom belong to these two groups in addition to the MLA.

Executive Director

Pamela Lee

Be a Leader in Your Practice Area

We continue to actively recruit members to contribute their expertise and voice to the newly-formed subcommittees above. This opportunity will raise your profile within the community, earn you a reputation as a leader in your practice area, and connect you with other lawyers in your field.