About

Ann was called to the bar in 2004 and has spent her entire career working in the areas of family law, child protection law and wills and estates. She understands the importance of considering these issues with a practical and direct approach. She understands that not one size fits all and takes the time to get to know her client’s needs in her advocacy on their behalf.

A native of Pictou County, Ann has a no-nonsense approach to her life and practice, sprinkled with a sense of humour. Family means everything to Ann and she understands the complexities of families and the importance of approaching matters with your family in mind.

Ann was a partner in a large law firm in Northern Nova Scotia until 2017 when she went in-house as lead counsel to practice child protection law.  The call of private practice brought her back to a family law and estates practice with MDW Law in 2023. She missed working with clients to assist them in navigating the challenges they face during the most difficult times in their lives.

Her practice has encompassed both straightforward and complex divorce, separation and estates matters (planning, administration and litigation). She has appeared at all levels in Court in Nova Scotia and has the reputation of being approachable, fair and capable.

Throughout her career, Ann has been a regular presenter on issues related to family law, child protection and wills and estates. She is a former lecturer at Mount Saint Vincent University where she team-taught Legal Status of Women for several years. She has chaired the Elder Law Section of the CBA and was a founding Co-Chair of the Women’s Forum with the Nova Scotia CBA. She has served on the CBA provincially and nationally in various capacities and has been involved with the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society. She is the co-author of the Annotated Children and Family Services Act, published in fall 2023, writing the chapter on Indigenous Child Protection in Nova Scotia.

In her off time, Ann spends her time travelling (both locally and abroad), with her family and/or in nature often doing so in her oasis on the Shubenacadie River with her wife, two dogs and cat.

Education

LLB
Dalhousie Law School, 2003

Bachelor of Arts
University of New Brunswick, 1998

Bar Admissions

Nova Scotia, 2004