Our Team

Richard W. Courtis

richard@cdlawoffice.ca

Richard has practiced law in Thunder Bay since he was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1978.

He has lived his entire life in Thunder Bay except for his many years of study at the University of Western Ontario. Before law school, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology—which gave him significant advantage in representing clients who were severely brain injured in motor vehicle accidents, and in defending persons suffering from severe mental illness in the criminal courts.

Richard has devoted the last 20 years of his life seeking justice for First Nation people who suffered severe sexual abuse at Indian Residential Schools and notably was co-counsel of record on the Baxter national class action which sought and obtained justice for tens of thousands of Indian Residential School Survivors throughout Canada.

He has practiced both civil and criminal law at all levels of court in Ontario, and he has appeared as counsel on at least 100 jury trials over his long career.

Richard has a fierce sense of justice and plans to devote the balance of his career in representing the disadvantaged.

Andrew J. Desmoulin

andrew@cdlawoffice.ca

A lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, Andrew was educated at the University of Western Ontario where he studied both Finance and Law.

Andrew articled at Lerners LLP, a major full service law firm. He worked primarily in the areas of plaintiff personal injury and business law.

After being called to the bar in 2007, Andrew returned back to Thunder Bay to work full time on the Baxter class action which sought compensation for Indian Residential School Survivors. From 2007 to 2017, Andrew obtained compensation for hundreds of Residential School Survivors.

While completing Indian Residential School work, Andrew conducted hearings in nearly every province and numerous U.S. States.

Andrew’s current practice includes Criminal Defence and Personal Injury litigation.  He also works with the Ministry of the Attorney General assisting sexual abuse survivors who are reluctant to come forward and discuss their legal options.

Andrew is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, and the Indigenous Bar Association.  He is also a member in good standing of the Pic River First Nation.

In his spare time Andrew enjoys travelling and studying financial markets. 

Brandon G. Desmoulin

brandon@cdlawoffice.ca

Brandon has lived and worked in Thunder Bay nearly his entire life. The only significant time he ever spent away from Thunder Bay is when, after graduating from the Fort William Collegiate Institute in 2002, he attended Western University in London, Ontario.

At Western, Brandon obtained both his Bachelor of Arts Honours Political Science degree and Bachelor of Laws degree. After obtaining his law degree in 2009, he briefly worked in London as an articling student before deciding to move back home to Thunder Bay. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2010 and since then has been a lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

Brandon takes pride in the relationships he establishes and maintains with his clients. He works hard to serve his clients, and he understands the importance of keeping his clients informed and involved along the way. When required, Brandon does not hesitate to travel throughout Northwestern Ontario to provide his clients with the personalized, face-to-face service they need and deserve.

Emily M. Morris

emily@cdlawoffice.ca

Emily is a proud resident of Northern Ontario and has spent most of her life in Thunder Bay. Emily obtained a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Education before pursuing Law.

In 2013 Emily was accepted as a member of the charter class of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. Throughout school Emily obtained the course prize in Criminal Law and graduated with first class standing. During her education Emily worked with the Lakehead University Community Legal Services and was also selected to compete in the Wilson Moot, a national advocacy competition that explores current constitutional issues facing women and minorities.

Since being called to the bar, Emily has regularly advocated for clients in front of the Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice, Small Claims Court and administrative tribunals including the Consent and Capacity Board. Emily has worked in the areas of civil, family, administrative, mental health and criminal law.

In 2018, Emily joined Courtis, Desmoulin Law Office where her practice focuses primarily on Criminal Law and Mental Health Law. Emily is known for her professionalism, dedication, and advocacy skills.

Emily is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. She is also a member of the Criminal Lawyers Association, the Ontario Bar Association, and Law and Mental Disorder Association.

Outside of the office, Emily enjoys travelling, hiking, and taking in the many activities living in Northern Ontario has to offer.