Bruce L. Ally, Ph.D. (ABD), L.L.M. (ADR)
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Mediating from 1985 to the present, Bruce has completed more than 4,000 mediations. Initially, his focus was on family mediation. Today, his specializations include personal injury, employment law, estate, construction, and human rights, among other areas. For the last 10 years, he has been an instructor for the Lawyer as Negotiator program at Osgoode Hall Law School for third-year students. He also instructs the civil mediation portion of the York University Certificate Program in Mediation and has taught the small claims process at Humber College and several courses at Centennial College. Bruce pursues his passion for professional dispute resolution full-time, including mediating, arbitrating, adjudicating, investigating, and conducting workplace restoration processes.
With regard to mediation, Bruce has been a member of the Attorney General of Ontario’s Mandatory Mediation Roster since its inception more than a quarter of a century ago, primarily mediating civil matters privately, with approximately 200 mediations per year. He has also served as a mediator for the Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, focusing on disputes involving doping, selection, and unfair team practices. In the area of arbitration, his company is one of the few selected to provide services to the Province of Ontario. As a certified member of the Society for Adjudicators, Bruce is often retained to conduct arbitrations in areas such as construction, estates, and business/partnership disputes.
From an investigative perspective, Bruce is an approved investigator for Canada Post and the LCBO and has been retained by many private firms to investigate complaints of harassment and discrimination. In workplace restoration, he is an approved service provider for both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, offering services that include workplace assessments, team building, and workplace restoration, as well as ongoing services for private companies.
Academically, after completing his undergraduate degree, Bruce pursued mediation training at the University of Toronto. Upon completion, he undertook a six-month internship at the Oshawa Family Court. He then began a private practice focused on family mediation and counseling while concurrently pursuing his graduate and postgraduate studies in psychology and law. In 2000, he returned to Osgoode Hall to complete his LLM in ADR. He is a certified Child Protection Mediator and holds memberships in the Ontario Bar Association ADR Section. He also served as President of ADRIO, Ontario, for two terms commencing in 2023. Additionally, Bruce is a certified member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Practitioners and a member in good standing with the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program at the Superior Court of Justice. He is a consultant at the Workplace Fairness Institute and has widely published on various topics in mediation. In mid-2024, Bruce became a published author with his first book on Sports Dispute Resolution. He also holds certification as an Ombudsman and is a member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators. Bruce is approved to provide mediation, arbitration, counseling, and workplace restoration services to both the Governments of Ontario and Canada.
Maurice Ford, MSc., Q. Med., OCT., WFA., RP
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Mediating since the mid-1990’s. He initially focused on Family and Human Rights Mediations. Most of his focus is now on Personal Injury and Employment disputes. Educationally he obtained a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Stitt Feld Hand Houston program. Additionally, he completed the York University Certificate in Dispute Resolution and he holds a M.Sc., degree in Counselling from Niagara University. He is a Certified Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario as well a Certified Educator with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). He is now an affiliate mediator at A Place for Mediation and is on the Attorney General’s Roster of mediators. He further holds certification from the Workplace Fairness Institute as a certified Analyst and the Qualified Mediator (Q. Med) designation with ADRIO/ADRIC. He is currently pursuing his license as a Private Investigator with a focus on workplace investigations.
Sarabjeet Wadhwa, LL.B., MBA, B.Com, ADR Cert., NCA Candidate
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Sarabjeet Wadhwa is a dedicated professional in Dispute Resolution with a robust background in law and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). With an LLB from India and an ADR certification from Humber College, Canada, she is actively pursuing her NCA exams to enhance her qualifications for the Canadian legal landscape. Sarabjeet is also a proud member of both the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (ADRIO). Her thought leadership in the field is reflected in her published articles on Mediate.com, including “Cursory Glimpse: The Mediator’s Steps in Facilitating the Process” and “A Journey Through Conversational Storms.” Bruce Ally has been instrumental in guiding her career, assisting with the publication of her articles, and providing invaluable mentorship in the ADR arena.
At A Place for Mediation, Sarabjeet manages operations with a keen focus on conflict resolution, actively assisting in conflict resolution workshops and co-mediating matters. Her commitment to advancing mediation practices and enhancing client outcomes is evident in her proactive and empathetic approach. Sarabjeet’s combination of legal expertise, practical experience, and thought leadership positions her as a vital member of the team, dedicated to fostering effective dialogue and achieving successful resolutions.
Philip Graham, Q.Med, WFA, BA
Presently, Philip Graham is an affiliate at A Place for Mediation, a full-service dispute resolution firm. He mediates matters concerning employment, estate, and construction law. Philip earned a Qualified Mediator (Q-Med) designation from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and a Workplace Fairness Analyst designation from Workplace Fairness Institute (WFI). Moreover, Philip is on the Mandatory Mediation Roster of Toronto. He is also a mediation coach/supervisor with the Osgoode Mediation Clinic.
Emily Knott
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Emily is a skilled mediator and licensed paralegal with experience in both legal practice and alternative dispute resolution. She graduated with honors from Humber College, having completed the Paralegal Education Program. Following her graduation, she successfully articled and was exposed to mediation during this period. Her enthusiasm for the field led her to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, where she completed her co-op placement at A Place for Mediation. Emily is now licensed by the Law Society of Ontario and is a member of ADRIO.
Emily possesses a thorough understanding of legal processes. Her dedication to her field is evident from a successful internship specializing in mediation, which led to her current role as an Associate at A Place for Mediation. In addition to her current role, Emily founded Why Knott Resolutions, a mediation business that offers effective and impartial dispute resolution services. She has fulfilled all requirements for the Qualified Mediator designation and the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Roster, with applications currently pending.
Emily’s combination of formal education, hands-on experience, and a strong commitment to dispute resolution enables her to mediate across various areas of law. She is dedicated to bridging differences and finding effective resolutions for her clients through her expertise in the field.