Prior to attending law school, Ava earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics from York University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She received several writing awards throughout her undergraduate studies, including the Stanley L. Warner Memorial Award, awarded for the top paper submitted in fulfilment of the writing requirement of the economics degree.

 

Ava grew up in Toronto, but the mountains and the ocean drew her to the west coast and she moved to Vancouver in 2010. She completed her law degree at the University of British Columbia, where she obtained numerous awards for her involvement in non-profit work. Her achievements included a nomination for the Pozer Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program as well as a Certificate of High Distinction, awarded for exceptional fulfillment of the theoretical, practical, and core requirements of the Projects Abroad Human Rights Internship Program in Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Upon completing her law degree, Ava articled at the Vancouver office of one of Canada’s largest national firms, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, where she gained invaluable experience in a variety of business law matters. Ava moved to the Okanagan to be closer to the outdoors and launched Essentia in 2016 to combine her legal training with her passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.

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Ava has developed a focus in corporate commercial law, advising owner-managed private businesses on corporate structuring and governance, debt and equity financing, purchase and sale transactions, asset rollovers, and other tax-driven corporate reorganizations. She also helps her clients plan for the future by developing and implementing effective strategies for business succession, wealth preservation, and estate planning.

 

Legal services are provided through a law corporation.