Meet The Team

With over 30 years of experience in family law, adoption, surrogacy, Indigenous, and environmental law, Elisabeth Leith Strain has built a reputation for providing compassionate, personalized legal services.

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Since 1996, Elisabeth has been dedicated to supporting diverse families and individuals, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all her clients. In 2003, she founded Strain and Company, continuing her commitment to justice, equality, and the empowerment of marginalized communities.

 

Her extensive legal expertise, combined with her deep commitment to inclusivity, ensures that every client feels heard, respected, and supported.

Shannon plays a central role behind the scenes at Strain and Company, overseeing client files and office operations to ensure matters move forward smoothly, efficiently, and with care.

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She brings over 20 years of experience across healthcare, leadership, and client-focused support roles. Prior to entering the legal field, Shannon worked as a nurse in a wide range of settings and in management positions within healthcare facilities and post-secondary institutions. Throughout her career, she has supported individuals and families during complex and often stressful circumstances, including providing guidance around estate planning and future care considerations.

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In addition to her professional background, Shannon brings valuable lived experience to her role, having navigated the family law system herself over many years. This perspective allows her to approach each client interaction with empathy and clarity, while ensuring clients feel informed, supported, and respected throughout the legal process.

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With a unique combination of experience in healthcare, management, and law, Shannon is deeply involved in the day-to-day coordination of client matters and firm operations. She serves as a primary point of contact for many clients and is committed to supporting both clients and counsel by providing structure, continuity, and a calm presence during challenging times.

 

Shannon takes pride in contributing to the firm’s inclusive, community-focused approach and in helping people move forward with confidence.

As Chief Comfort Officer, Frannie brings a calming presence to Strain and Company, ensuring that clients and staff alike feel at ease the moment they step into the office. Her warmth and playful spirit help make even the most stressful legal matters a little less daunting.

 

In addition to her office duties, Frannie also makes regular appearances in the blog, "From the Desk of the Junior Partner," where she lends her friendly face to Senior Lawyer Elisabeth Strain’s insightful discussions on various legal topics.