GUELPH LAWYERS SMITHVALERIOTE LLP
mrodenburg@smithvaleriote.com
Voice: 519 837 2100 x 275
Mark obtained a Bachelor of Mathematics degree (Combinatorics and Optimization Option) with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Waterloo in 1990. He then obtained his LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario in 1993 and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1995 where he received the Pensa & Associates prize for the student attaining the highest grades at the Bar Admission Course at London. He has been with SmithValeriote Law Firm LLP since 1993 and was managing partner for three years.
Areas of Practice
Mark practices primarily in the field of civil litigation. This includes estate litigation, personal injury matters (including slip and fall and motor vehicle accidents), corporate/commercial litigation (including contract disputes, shareholder disputes and debtor/creditor matters), employment matters, bankruptcy and insolvency law and family law. Mark has argued matters before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Divisional Court, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the family division of the Ontario Court of Justice and the Tax Court of Canada and has been counsel for several successful parties in many cases.
Professional Experience
Mark has argued matters before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Divisional Court, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice (Family Division) and the Tax Court of Canada. He was counsel for one of the Respondents in Ferrier v. Civiero (2001) 42 R.P.R. (3d) 12, 2001 CarswellOnt 1717, 147 O.A.C. 196, [2001] O.J. No. 1883 (Ont. C.A.) wherein the Court of Appeal determined that an execution creditor could not compel the partition and sale of lands only partially owned by the debtor. He was also counsel for the successful party in Amherst Crane v. Perring [2002] O.J. No. 2792 (Ont. S.C.J.), affirmed at (2004) 241 D.L.R. (4th) 176, 187 O.A.C. 336, [2004] O.J. No. 2558 (Ont. C.A.), leave to appeal denied at 2005 CarswellOnt 354, [2004] S.C.C.A. 430 (S.C.C.) where the Court of Appeal overturned previous caselaw and decided that monies in a non-insurance RRSP devolve directly to the named beneficiary on the death of the planholder, do not form part of the estate of the deceased and are not available to creditors.
Professional Activities
Mark is currently Vice-President (former Secretary, former Treasurer and former Library Chair) and sits on the Board of Directors of the Wellington Law Association. He was formerly on the Board of Directors and served as Treasurer of the Edward Johnson Music Foundation.
Personal Interests
During his spare time Mark enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to concerts to see Bruce Springsteen, Melissa Etheridge, Pearl Jam, Steve Earle, and other performers.