We are dedicated professionals who understand the impact of tax controversies and opportunities.
Leigh Somerville Taylor
B.A.(Hons), J.D., LL.M.(Tax)
Leigh works closely with clients and accountants to provide a client-focused approach to resolving tax disputes.
Leigh has been resolving tax disputes with the revenue authorities and serving her clients by strategizing and implementing tax and estate plans since 2001. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Trinity College and Osgoode Hall Law School where she completed in J.D. (2002) and Masters in Tax Law (2011).
Leigh was selected by the Law Society of Ontario to assist in the design and development of the Tax Law Specialist designation, is a former director of the Ontario Bar Association’s Tax Law Section and has been an instructor and presenter for the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Law Society of Ontario and Osgoode Hall Law School. She strives to incorporate the most current and effective knowledge of Canada’s constantly changing tax laws and opportunities into her practice and to address inefficiencies in Canadian tax law through litigation. Leigh is sensitive to the needs of Canadian businesses, organizations and individuals and recognizes the important role taxes play in her clients’ continued success.
Leigh attributes the success of the firm to her extraordinary team of dedicated, smart and compassionate women.
416.590.2671 extension 1
Michelle Julfs
SENIOR LAW CLERK, Law Clerk Diploma
Michelle has worked as a Legal Assistant and Law Clerk since 1993. She is graduate of Centennial College’s Law Clerk Diploma Program and Schulich School of Business’ Extraordinary Administrative Support Program.
For four and half years, Michelle served the Government of Canada as a Legal Assistant and Law Clerk. Her organizational skills were enhanced while working on complex and demanding litigation in the General Counsel section of the Department of Justice. In 1999, Michelle dedicated herself to private practice and restricted her work to tax litigation, where she has been assisting taxpayers in their disputes with the revenue authorities with unwavering sincerity and determination ever since. Michelle thrives in technicality, complexity and detail and has been instrumental to the firm’s success since 2010.
Michelle is a member of the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario.
MICHELLE@LSTLAW.CA
416.590.2671, extension 2
Taylor Huffman
LAW CLERK / PARALEGAL, B.A. (Hons.), Paralegal Diploma
Taylor is a graduate of Wilfred Laurier University where she earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a graduate of Seneca College’s Accelerated Paralegal Diploma Program. She earned a Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship enabling her to learn and work in legal research and communications for the Human Rights Advocacy Centre and the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection in Ghana.
Taylor joined the firm in March 2021. Prior to focusing on tax dispute resolution and litigation, Taylor worked in the challenging areas of civil and collection litigation. Taylor brings a natural humanity and compassion to her work, finding innovative and effective ways to address complex issues, processes and problems with strength, acumen and client-focused care and attention.
Taylor is a licensed paralegal with the Law Society of Ontario.
Alina Salimova
LAW CLERK, LL.B. (Hons.), Civil Law, Law Clerk Diploma (Hons.)
Alina is a graduate of the Russian State University of Justice where she graduated with academic distinction and a Dean’s Honour Roll graduate of Humber College where she earned her Law Clerk Diploma and the Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Award for the highest academic standing as a full-time student and the Rose-Marie Rintoul Real Estate Award.
Alina joined the firm in January 2022. Prior to focusing on tax dispute resolution and litigation, Alina distinguished herself for academic excellence and community engagement abroad and in Canada. She was a tutor, legal aid clinic volunteer and litigation intern in a complex regulatory environment. Alina’s self-discipline, focus and pursuit of functional understanding are inspiring.