Our Team

 

Mike Pretsell

Mike Pretsell

Bio:
Mike was born and raised in the Hamilton area and remains a die-hard Tiger Cats fan. Following his six years of service with the Canadian Armed Services, Mike completed his Bachelor of Arts degree through the University of Manitoba and his Law Degree at Queen’s University in 1994. Mike articled and worked as an associate at a local litigation firm until he founded the predecessor of Pretsell Davies Thompson in 1999. Mike specializes in representing individuals and small businesses before Civil and Criminal Courts. He is the firms Managing Partner and senior trial counsel.
 
A former deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court, Mike has also served as Director of the Ontario Deputy Judges’ Association, past Chair of the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Long-Term Disability section and a member of the American Association of Justice, the Criminal Law Association, Hastings County and the County of Carleton Law Associations, and the Quinte Criminal Lawyers Association.
 
Mike lives in Belleville with his wife Joanne and when not in the office, enjoys cooking and golfing, both with varying degrees of success.

Kandace Davies

Kandace Davies

Bio:
Kandace is originally from Kingston, Ontario. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa in 1994 with degrees in Criminology and History. Kandace then travelled out west and attended law school at the University of Alberta. After getting engaged to a “County” guy, she transferred to Queen's University and obtained her law degree in 1998. After articling in Belleville, Kandace was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000 and resides in Prince Edward County.

Kandace has practiced civil litigation and personal injury law for over 20 years and has successfully argued cases before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Licensing Appeal Tribunal, Social Security Tribunal (CPP Disability), and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). Kandace also has extensive experience in Mediation and negotiation. Kandace is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the Hastings County Law Association.

Kandace is the proud mother of twins who attend Queen’s University and is a fitness enthusiast.

Sheri Thompson

Sheri Thompson

Bio:
Sheri is a Belleville native and has practiced law consistently in Belleville since returning here after completing her Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Geography and Political Science from Queen’s University and Bachelor of Law from Queen’s University. Sheri was called to the bar in 2004 and her primary areas of practice are family law, real estate, wills and estate administration.

Sheri is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Hastings County Law Association. Sheri is the current Chair of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Foundation and the Board of St. Mark’s United Church. She is a past Vice-Chair of the Hastings County Law Association and serves on the Education Committee for our local law association. Sheri is a repeat volunteer choreographer for Dancing with the Stars Quinte. Outside of the office Sheri enjoys dance, skiing, travel, and spending time with her friends and family.

Connor Barbeau

Connor Barbeau

Bio:
Connor was born and raised in Belleville. After obtaining his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Queen’s University, he worked for a publicly traded multinational asset disposition and management company for three years before returning to school and obtaining his Juris Doctor from the Queen’s University Faculty of Law. After articling in Belleville, Connor was called to the Ontario Bar in 2021.

As an Associate Lawyer, Connor represents individuals in a broad range of civil litigation matters.

An avid sports enthusiast, during his spare time you are likely to find Connor out on the golf course, playing basketball, or refereeing basketball at all levels across the province. Connor is a member of both the Belleville and Kingston Board of Basketball Officials and is also a referee on the panel for Ontario University Athletics.

Esther Deck

Esther Deck

Bio:
Esther Deck was born in Belleville and returned to the City to work at Pretsell Davies Thompson after obtaining her Juris Doctor’s degree from Queen’s University in 2020. She has a Bachelor in Psychology with a Minor in Law from the University of Carleton.

She now works primarily in the areas of Real Estate Law, Wills and Estates, and Family Law.

Esther enjoys being involved in access to justice initiatives in her community and is an active Board Member for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston.