Receive Straightforward Advice From Our Lawyers in London
Offering a down-to-earth, straightforward approach, our clients receive expert legal services at fair rates for the best possible outcome.
About Brown Beattie O’Donovan LLP
We are a full-service law firm with over 75 years of experience, and we are dedicated to providing our clients with the individualized attention they deserve. Our reputation for delivering expert legal services at fair rates precedes us, and we are committed to providing our clients with the best possible representation.
Please note that a lawyer and client relationship will not be established until a retainer agreement has been signed.
Practice Areas
Giving Back to the Communities Where We Live and Work
Volunteering time and expertise to local organizations to coaching kids’ soccer and hockey teams, community is part of our culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions and answers are for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice, nor do they create any retainer or relationship between the reader and Brown Beattie O’Donovan LLP.
- All
- Accident & Personal Injury Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law & Liens
- Corporate & Commercial Law
- Family Law
- Family Mediation
- Insolvency & Bankruptcy
- Insurance Litigation
- Intellectual Property Law
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Real Estate Law
- Trademark Law
- Trusts, Wills & Estates Law
Whether or not you need a lawyer will depend on the circumstances of your case. For more information, please submit your contact information as well as a brief description of the issues in the form provided and we will get in touch with you.
Unfortunately, we do not accept legal aid as a payment option.
The length of proceedings will depend on the circumstances of your case. Factors that can affect the timeline include: whether and how vigorously it is defended, availability and quality of evidence, court availability etc. For more information, please submit your contact information below and we will get in touch with you.
For cases like car accidents, slips and falls, and medical malpractice (among others), we generally invoice on a contingency basis. That means that we are paid a percentage of the settlement plus expenses — you don’t pay until we win. Our initial consultation is free.
Most personal injury cases will be resolved within 3 years. However it is important to understand that the particular circumstances of a case may have a significant impact on the length of time needed to resolve it. For more information, please submit your contact information below and we will get in touch with you.
If you are thinking about starting a lawsuit, we suggest you contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Deadlines for commencing a lawsuit apply in virtually every case. The particular deadline will depend on the nature of your claim and the facts of the case.
For general litigation cases, we require a retainer before taking any action. The retainer is not an indication of the final fee. Fees are charged on an hourly basis and our lawyers’ hourly rates will vary depending on their level of experience. Contact us for further details.
For real estate purchases, sales, or refinances, we usually charge a set fee plus usual disbursements and land transfer tax. In most cases, we can give a fairly accurate quote once we have the details of the property subject to transaction.
With most real estate purchases, the first step is to send us your signed offer using fax or email. This will allow our clerks to get the process started, which will typically take 3 weeks.
For wills and power of attorney, we have a set fee, but the fee can vary depending on the complexity of the estate. Please contact us for further details.
If it is straightforward, a will can usually be prepared within 2 weeks. The biggest questions you’ll need to consider and be prepared to answer are: who will take care of the estate (executor)?; if you have minor children – who will take care of them?; and where/to whom do you want your assets to go?
Small Claims Court is for claims up to $35,000; you can sue for money or the return of personal property. The Court is set so claims can be handled without a lawyer’s assistance. You can go to the courthouse and ask for a small claims package – the instructions are easy to follow.
If your lawyer practiced with Brown Beattie O’Donovan, Cram & Associates, Seabrook, Miller & Trudell, Marcus Tobin, Gent Schuessler, or Gent Park, we likely still have the will. We have the wills from the following retired and/or deceased lawyers as well as those prepared by our current lawyers.
Charles Brown
William Beattie
Vincent O’Donovan
Joseph M. Dillon
Andrew King
Robert Hutton
David Laws
Martin Marcus
Barry Tobin
David Miller
Paul Trudell
Robert Livingstone
Thomas Gibson
John Cram
Daniel Mailer
Robert Furlonger
Leo Gent
Scott Schuessler
Horace Park
Hugh Fraser
Leon Shanfeld
Find a Lawyer to Represent You.
Follow us on Instagram!
@brownbeattieodonovan
August always brings that familiar feeling of transition. Whether your kids are starting elementary school locally or packing up for university out of town, family routines are about to completely shift. 🎒✏️
It’s easy to get caught up in the endless lists of supply shopping and scheduling logistics, but don`t forget to enjoy these final weeks of summer.
To all the local parents navigating the upcoming changes—you’ve got this!
.
.
.
#BackToSchool #LdnOnt #BBO
Please join us in welcoming Grace Beach and Tina Holtjer as our 2026 - 2027 Articling Students! ⚖️
Grace and Tina will be joining our team for a 10-month articling term, as they take the next step in their legal careers. 🎓 Throughout their term, they`ll gain hands-on experience across our practice groups, working alongside our team to serve our clients and community.
We can`t wait to see the energy, curiosity, and dedication Grace and Tina bring to BBO🌟
Please join us in giving Grace and Tina a warm welcome! 👏
.
.
.
#BrownBeattieODonovan #LondonOntario #AssociateLawyer
We are thrilled to share that Brown Beattie O`Donovan has been voted both Best Real Estate Law Firm and Best Law Firm in the 2026 Best of London awards. 🏆🏆
Two categories. One very happy team.
Whether you came to us for a real estate closing, a corporate strategy, or a family law matter, you trusted us with something that mattered. That trust is the real award here.
Thank you to everyone in London and Southwestern Ontario who took the time to vote. We are proud to be your legal partners, and we are still grinning about this one.
.
.
.
#BestOfLondonAwards #LondonOntario #BBO
As the back-to-school countdown begins, skipping the big-box stores and keeping your shopping local makes a massive difference for our community. 🛍️❤️
If you are crossing items off your checklist this week, consider supporting these independent London gems:
💎 Oxford Book Shop: Perfect for unique stationery, notebooks, and great reads on Piccadilly Street.
💎 Scholar`s Choice: A fantastic family-owned staple packed with creative learning tools and educational games.
💎 @filthyrebena : A legendary independent boutique on Dundas Street to find distinct, budget-friendly styles and vintage layers for high school or university.
Tag your favourite local shop or boutique in the comments below so others can support them too! 👇
.
.
.
#ShopLocal #LondonOntario #BBOLaw
There are still plenty of sunny days left to squeeze in one last road trip before September arrives!🚗
Whether you`re heading to the beach at Port Stanley or heading up north to Algonquin Park, keep these three quick checks in mind before you hit the highway:
🚘 Know your deductible: Confirm if your comprehensive policy covers highway windshield cracks without a penalty.
📄 Check your coverage: Borrowing or lending? Make sure the primary auto policy is fully up to date.
💥 Pack an accident kit: Stow roadside safety tools (e.g., booster cables, first-aid kit) alongside a phone charger and physical insurance slip.
Enjoy the drive and stay safe out there! ☀️
.
.
.
#RoadTripOntario #LondonOntario #BBOLaw
Happy Long Weekend, London! ☀️
If you’re staying in town, here are a few ideas on how to make the most of the extra time off:
🌳 Picnic at Springbank Park: Grab a blanket and enjoy the shade along the Thames.
☕ Stroll through Wortley Village: Pop into local indie shops and grab a cold brew.
🍖 Local flavour: Treat the family to a plate from Ribfest and support the local vendors firing up the grills.
Wishing everyone in the city a safe and relaxing day off!
.
.
.
#LdnOnt #SupportLocal #BBOLaw
July is a popular month to move in Ontario, but between the heat this time of year and all the standard logistics, the "final stretch" of a real estate closing can feel overwhelming.
To keep your move as stress-free as possible, the legal details need to be settled well before the truck arrives.
Here are some ways to help keep your transition on track:
✅Finalize your paperwork: Aim to have your bank drafts and signed documents delivered to your lawyer a few days early to avoid any last-minute delays.
✅Bridge your insurance: If you have an overlap between getting your new keys and moving out of your old place, double-check that both properties are fully covered during that transition period.
✅Do one last walkthrough: Schedule a final inspection as close to the closing date as possible. This ensures the property is in the condition you agreed upon before the keys change hands.
Learn more about our Real Estate services. Link in bio.
.
.
.
#LondonOntario #RealEstate #BBOLaw
🍦 Happy National Ice Cream Day!
We closed the sweetest deal of the summer with @merlamae: The Sealed Deal, the limited-time waffle cone built for the occasion.
Here`s what makes it worth the trip:
🍦 Classic vanilla soft serve
🧇 Fresh-made waffle cone
🍋 Lemon-lime dip
🍫 Turtle chocolate, rolled and "sealed"
Grab one while it lasts and celebrate the day, and the rest of summer, with us. 🍨
.
.
.
#LondonOntario #NationalIceCreamDay #BBOLaw
