David (Berel) Ciobotaru has been acting for Ontario Landlords since 1984. Mr. Ciobotaru is also a director and partner of D&D Associates Paralegal Professional Corporation. Mr. Ciobotaru ran the business operations of the firm and its predecessors prior to working as a paralegal and developing his advocacy skills to represent clients before the Ontario Courts, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal and now the Landlord and Tenant Board. Mr. Ciobotaru was in the first group of Paralegals to become licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada in March 2008.
Mr. Ciobotaru as an experienced advocate represents Ontario Landlords before the Landlord and Tenant Board on a near daily basis, and has been doing so for almost 40 years. Mr. Ciobotaru is a Commissioner for taking oaths in the Province of Ontario for work done within the permitted scope of practice of a licensed paralegal.
Jacqueline received her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2013. Jacqueline furthered her studies at Seneca College and graduated with High Honours from the Accelerated Paralegal Program receiving her Diploma in 2014. Jacqueline was licensed by the Law Society of Ontario in March 2015.
Jacqueline started at our firm as a field placement student in October 2014 and has since worked full-time as an Associate Paralegal in our Landlord and Tenant department. Jacqueline handles the scheduling of hearings for all paralegals in our firm in addition to drafting legal notices and preparing and filing applications with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Jacqueline is a Commissioner for taking oaths in the Province of Ontario for work done within the permitted scope of practice of a licensed paralegal.
Mr. Ursino was among the first group of paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario in March 2008. Mr. Ursino has been specializing in Small Claims Court and Landlord and Tenant matters for over 20 years, by representing Plaintiffs, Defendants, Landlords and Tenants in all types of matters including: Civil Litigation, Debt Collection and Enforcement of Judgments within the monetary jurisdiction of the Ontario Small Claims Court and Landlord and Tenant Board.
Having joined D&D Associates Paralegal Professional Corporation as manager of the Civil Litigation department in February 2010, Mr. Ursino has continued to provide professional, efficient and cost effective legal services, enforcing the values and commitment that have been the foundation of D&D Associates Paralegal Professional Corporation for over 40 years.
Emily received her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice from Ontario Tech University in 2018. She furthered her studies at Durham College, graduating with Honours from the fast-tracked Paralegal Certificate Program in 2019. She was then licensed by the Law Society in 2019 and has been working in the field ever since.
Emily was hired at our firm in January 2023 and works as a full-time Associate Paralegal, specializing in Landlord and Tenant Board. She handles the drafting of legal notices, preparing and filing of applications with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Mark attended the University of Guelph for Criminal Justice and Public policy. He furthered his studies at Seneca College and graduated from the Accelerated Paralegal Program. Mark is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario as a Licensed Paralegal.
Mark currently works exclusively handles a broad range of Landlord and Tenant matters including non-payment of rent, substantial interference, own-use applications and defending tenant applications. Mark frequently appears in front of the Landlord and Tenant Board representing our clients.
Sabrina received her BA (Hons.) in Law and Society from York University, graduating as a Member of the Deans Honour Roll. She furthered her studies at Humber College, graduating with high honours from the Accelerated Paralegal Program. She was licensed by the Law Society of Ontario as a Paralegal in March 2020, and appointed as a Notary Public and Commissioner for taking Oaths in the Province of Ontario.
Since joining D&D in 2021, Sabrina regularly represents our clients’ legal interests before the Landlord and Tenant Board, handling a broad range of matters including non-payment of rent, substantial interference, and defending against Tenant applications. Sabrina also provides legal advice for matters related to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and has experience appearing before the Small Claims Court for matters including Debt Collections and Enforcement of Judgements.
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University, Shawna worked for over a decade for Jewish Family and Child Services in Toronto where she worked as an executive assistant. She then worked for over a decade as the owner and operator of two successful retail stores.
Shawna joined D & D Associates in 2009, and has worked as the office manager in charge of billing, accounting and reconciliations. Currently Shawna is the General Manager in charge of decision making, including but not limited to hiring, billing, and corporate business issues. Shawna’s strong attention to detail and diligent work ethic ensures the meticulous and professional management of client accounts.
Francesca’s passion for law, advocating for others and mental health began in high school when she took part in her first mock trial competition. Francesca completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology at Ryerson University in 2013. She continued her education by earning a Post- Graduate Certificate in Paralegal with High Honours from Centennial College in 2015.
Francesca furthered her passion for mental health and the law by participating in a summer school program in Finland, at the Turku University of Applied Sciences. In November 2015, Francesca became a Licensed Paralegal with the Law Society of Ontario. Francesca joined the D and D family as an Associate Paralegal in our Landlord and Tenant Department in 2021. Francesca predominately handles the drafting of legal notices, preparing and filing of applications with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Eric Steiman is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario as a Licensed Paralegal. He is also appointed by the Province of Ontario as a commissioner of Oaths. Mr. Steiman graduated with honours from the Paralegal Education Program at Humber College. In 2022, he was recognised as a past student who achieved one of the top 20 GPAs in the history of the Paralegal Education Program at Humber College
Mr. Steiman represents landlords in a wide variety of landlord and tenant matters as well as provincial offence matters relating to landlords. In addition to more common matters, Mr. Steiman also has experience with evicting tenants who are involved in crime, dangerous activities, and cases where landlords require vacant possession for their own use. He also serves a niche of helping landlords obtain possession when time is of the essence or there is no conventional method for eviction available.
Julia MacDonald received her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Law & Society, with a minor in Psychology from York University in 2021. She went on to complete a fast-tracked Paralegal Diploma at Humber College, graduating with honours in 2023. She received her Paralegal License from the Law Society in February of 2024 and began working with D&D Associates shortly after.
Julia handles all non-corporate matters. Julia’s position includes the drafting of notices, filing of applications and preparing and submitting disclosure. Julia also appears before the Landlord and Tenant Board to represent our non-corporate clients in their hearings on various different matters.
D & D will strive to honour the legacy of its beloved co-founder, David Rubin, who sadly passed away in 2021. The compassion, professionalism, integrity, and wisdom he displayed on a daily basis will always serve as the paragon for our conduct in the legal profession.
D&D are a team of experienced paralegals who guided me through every step of my Landlord and Tenant dispute. I would not hesitate to refer them to anyone who was looking for representation.
Benny, Property Manager
