Mikayla is a family law lawyer, with The Ross Firm. She has successfully handled cases from complex Domestic Contracts to contentious but negotiated Separation Agreements. Her portfolio of cases includes child and spousal support, contested custody and access, obtaining sole custody (decision making) of children, as well as orders for supervised access against an opposing parent. She has also dealt with complex property files involving everything from farm equipment and land to stocks, bonds, the matrimonial home and complex pension plans.

Mikayla received a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Criminology and Sociology from the University of Western Ontario in 2015. During her undergraduate years at Western, Mikayla returned home in the summer months to play women’s rugby for the Bruce County Banshees out of Tiverton. She also played varsity rugby for Western University and was a member of the triathlon club. As an undergrad, Mikayla acted as a co-facilitator for a program called Changing Ways, a primarily court-mandated program whose mission statement is to assist men in ending their violent behaviour towards the women and children in their lives.

She received a Juris Doctor from Lakehead University in 2018, with a first-class standing. During law school Mikayla acted as a VP for the Women in Law committee. She also took part, as a research assistant, in the development of the first comparative human rights research database in Canada, designed to helps both the public and legal practitioners navigate human rights law in Canada.

After attending law school in Thunder Bay, Mikayla happily returned to her home town of Owen Sound, where she completed her articles and was called to the bar in Ontario in September 2018.

Mikayla considers her emotional intelligence – or “people skills” – to be one of her strengths as a lawyer. She listens intently to each client, showing them empathy, patience and understanding when they are going through a very tough and emotionally charged life-altering event. She knows that sometimes her clients – mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, foster parents, family members – are scared, and she works to make them feel a little less intimidated by the process.

Mikayla believes in educating clients, and restoring their confidence. She works to help them re-establish control over their lives and in the end, enables them to determine their own futures.

Outside of work, Mikayla enjoys reading, cycling and travelling.