W Patric Mackesy

Areas of practice:

• All solicitor's work in the office (wills, estates, corporations and real estate including development).
• Civil litigation with particular emphasis on family law.
• Family law mediation - 30 years of family law practice.

Called to the Bar in 1971.

Education: B.A., University of Waterloo, 1965, LL.B., University of Ottawa, 1969.

Professional Affiliations:

• Canadian Bar Association
• Hamilton Bar Association
• Hamilton Lawyer's Club
• Advocates Society - former member
• Former Director - Assessment, Mediation, Interdisciplinary Committee (5 Years)
• Legal Aid Mediator

Professional Activities:

• One of the original seven volunteer lawyers to the Dundurn Legal Aid Clinic (over 20 years service).
• Member of the Liaison Committee and Rules Committee of the Unified Family Court since its inception (1978-1986) and one of the Bar Committee instrumental in setting up the Unified Family Court and the design of the Family Court building.
• One of the original mentors in Family Law in the Hamilton Legal Aid Pilot project.
• Member of the Area Legal Aid Committee (Hamilton) from 1982 to date.
• Vice-chairman of the Family Law subsection of the Hamilton Bar Association 1983-1984, former newsletter editor.
• Chairman - Family Law Subsection Hamilton Bar Association, 1987-1988.
• Executive of Family Law Association, Hamilton, 1983-1997.
• Creator and participant in several Family Law programs originating in the Hamilton area, including: Quantum Seminar; Children's Law Reform Act; Unified Family Court - the bar's perspective; a film concerning custody assessments in court proceedings; Assessments for Assessors; Structured Settlements in a family law setting; Income Tax and Family Law; Family Law Practice for the New Lawyer (C.B.A.O.).

Community Activities:

• Board of Directors for 10 years (and past president, vice president and secretary) of Dawn Patrol Group Homes (a non-profit organization interested in juvenile problem children).
• Grand Knight - Knights of Columbus, Council 6579, West Hamilton, Flamborough and Dundas - two years; 1988 - 1989 - District Deputy (1990-1992), Knights of Columbus.
• Secretary of McGivney Community Homes since 1982 to date and one of the original organizers (a non-profit organization providing low income housing in the Hamilton area).
• Vice-president, Hamilton-Burlington Arthritis Society in 1983 and President in 1984.
• Chairman in 1981 of the Hamilton Lung Association Home Canvass.
• Baseball coach for 13 years in Dundas, Ontario for children five years of age and up including All Star teams. Treasurer (1984 to 1988) Dundas Little League.
• Basketball coach (Dundas) for 20 years for children 7 years and up.
• Lay Minister, St. Augustine's Church, Dundas, since 1982 and present co-ordinator.
• 1973-1976 Property Standards Committee - City of Hamilton.
• 1987-1991 - Graduate's Association Executive - University of St. Jerome's College.
• 1991 to present - Finance Committee, St. Augustine's Church, Dundas.
• Chairman, Dundas Committee of Adjustments January 1992 - 2000
• Member, Hamilton-Halton Homebuilder’s Association since 2000

Firm Directory

Mackesy, Smye LLP
117 Hughson Street South, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1G7
Ph: (905) 525-2341 Fax: (905) 525-6300
e-mail: maclaw@mackesysmye.com