Sarah Schonken Whitby Law Clerk
Sarah Schonken began her employment at M. G. Michaels & Associates in 2021 and is one of the Firm’s two law clerks working in the areas of family law, wills and estates, guardianship and real estate transactions. She is also the Firm’s ‘go-to’ researcher.
Sarah graduated from Durham College’s Paralegal program with honours and Durham College’s Law Clerk Advanced Fast-Track program with honours. She is also a paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, although is not currently practicing as a paralegal. Sarah’s proved herself early, having started with M. G. Michaels & Associates as an apprentice during her mandatory placement. Within a few weeks we made her an offer of employment, knowing that could not risk letting her leave. She hasn’t disappointed since we first met her!
Sarah’s responsibilities, among other things, is:
- Preparation of court documents;
- Ensuring all necessary court filings are done;
- Preparation of uncontested divorces;
- Drafting of Wills and Powers of Attorney;
- Preparation of documents necessary to file estate administration applications with the Court;
- Preparation of court documents for Guardianship Applications;
- Assisting in collecting the necessary documents and information to manage client real estate transactions including purchases, sales, mortgage refinancing, and transfers between spouses or other family members; and,
- Preparing real estate documents for client signatures, attending on closings of these transactions.
Before realizing her passion for law, Sarah spent 6 years working on contract with the Department of National Defense, travelling across Canada, gaining valuable experience with handling sensitive information and meeting people from all walks of life.
In her spare time, you can find Sarah spending time with her cat, riding her bicycle in fundraisers or for the heck of it, or engulfed in a good book.
Behind every great lawyer is an equally great law clerk, to ensure the smooth running of a busy family law practice, and the lawyers at the Firm rely on Sarah on a daily basis.
