Legal Assistant

Elaheh Nikookaran

Legal Assistant

Elaheh Nikookaran

Assistant

Elaheh is a recent honors graduate of the paralegal program at Herzing college and also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree. Elaheh provides legal administrative and clerical support to Paul Auerbach and to Ashley Thompson and is a vital member of the team.

She is highly motivated to help move clients’ claims through the litigation process as efficiently as possible. Elaheh is a fluent Farsi speaker and intends to pursue further legal education and licensing in the future.

Speaking Engagements

Medical Evidence and LTD Claims, Tips for Medical & Legal Professionals, Reach LTD Conference, 2009
Threshold Refresher, OTLA Spring Conference, May 2013
Getting the Story Out: Effective Witness Preparation, OTLA New Lawyers Division Conference, April 2014
Obstacles and Strategies to Accessing Services, Reach Canada, The Diversity of PTSD: Broadening the Conversation, 2013
Foundation of Claims: Avoiding the Cracks, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2016
CAT Definition, Navigating the new SABS Definition, panel moderator, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2017
New LAT: How is it Treating Chronic Pain, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2018
Getting to 55%: Using Brain Injury to Reach Catastrophic Impairment, Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference, 2019
Difficult Client Conversations: Practical Tips & Advice for New Lawyers, Reach Canada, February 2021
Virtual Hearings: The New Age, OTLA Law Clerks Seminar Series, March 2021
Undermining Credibility in Cross-Examination, Advocates Society, Ottawa Courthouse Series, March 2023
Collateral Benefits Update: Preventing Collateral Damage to Your Client’s Claim, OTLA webinar, October 2023

Community Involvement

Reach Canada, current President, member of Board of Directors and past Chair of the Education Committee and Legal Referral Committee, 2003-present
Able2, member of Board of Directors, 2022-present
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, National Capital Region, member of Board of Directors, Past President, 2012 to 2014
Brain Injury Canada, member of Board of Directors, 2014-2016
Business Networking International, Member, BNI 212 Chapter and Former President of Network @ Noon Chapter, 2004 to 2013
Best Practices in Post Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference. Co-founded the conference in 2016 as the sole lawyer with three medical professionals. The conference has been held annually for four years for medical professionals and lawyers with 100 plus registrants each year until 2020. Responsibilities have including conference planning and marketing.
Canadian Access and Inclusion Project, Lawyers Panel, Legislation Recommendations, August 2017. Project provided recommendations to federal government on the barriers to people with disabilities and suggestions on how to eradicate them
Recipient of Gordon Henderson award in June 2022 by the Carleton County Law Association which is presented to a lawyer (including a retired lawyer, a judge, a former judge, or a paralegal) who has made a significant contribution to the welfare of the community by performing charitable services on behalf of the community

Education

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
LL.B., Bachelor of Laws, 2003
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
B. Comm., Bachelor of Commerce, 2000

Professional Memberships

Called to the Ontario Bar, 2004
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association; County of Carleton Law Association; Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association; Law Society of Ontario and Advocates Society

Meet our amazing team

Frank’s Team

Rita Roncato

Law clerk

Franca Recchia

Law clerk

Mame Diop

Law clerk

Melissa McKay

Legal Assistant

Alayna Lemaire

Law Clerk

McNally Gervan Lawyers LLP

Reviews

“I really recommend Frank McNally he helped me so much with my case. He tried his best to make me get the best settlement, and kept me updated throughout the process until everything was taken care of.”

FADIA AA

“Frank McNally was my attorney and he did an excellent job handling my case. He is trustworthy, honest, knowledgeable and confident. Frank did everything possible, with the help of his litigation clerk, Rita Roncato and the rest of the team. They worked to get me the medicinal services, and doctors appointments every time I needed one.

I am thankful for his patience and dedication. I highly recommend McNally Gervan if you are looking for a reliable and great law firm that cares about their clients.”

KHAZAAL HASSAN

“NPaul Auerbach and his team provided exceptional service. Our complex case involved understanding, perseverance and dedication on the part of our legal team; Paul delivered 100%. Paul’s personable manner was refreshing and very much appreciated as we went through our less than desirable situation. We are truly grateful for having had such an excellent lawyer. We recommend Paul highly.”

BRUCE COWLEY

“Frank helped my mother after her horrible car accident happened almost 10 years ago. Frank is extremely professional and friendly. I personally found him very humorous as well. He and his team helped my mother through the whole process including all sorts of examination till mediation. Frank is knowledgeable and very calm, he always fights the best for his client. I highly recommend Frank to your lawyer if you involved in any kind of accident.”

CHARLES CHEN

Testimonials

Free Case Evaluation

Lawyers

Frank McNally

Partner

Frank has been practicing personal injury law for over fourteen years and has devoted his practice to representing individuals who have been victims of serious personal injury accidents.
613-238-1424 ext. 335
frank@mcnallygervan.ca
in/frankemcnally

About

Frank is one of McNally Gervan’s two founding partners. He has devoted his law practice and professional life to representing individuals who have suffered serious personal injuries. He is a dedicated and passionate advocate and is very active and involved in a variety of causes related to disability and access to justice issues. He is widely recognized in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario as one of the leading personal injury lawyers in the region.

Education

Frank obtained a bachelor of commerce degree at Concordia University in Montreal and his law degree at the University of Ottawa. He was called to the Law Society of Upper Canada (now the Law Society of Ontario) in 2004.

Speaking Engagements

Frank has always been driven by a passion to help those in need and those without a voice. He has handled thousands of serious personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents and other causes. He has also successfully represented people in disability insurance and accident benefit claims. He is an experienced trial lawyer and has conducted many accident benefit arbitrations before the Financial Service Commission of Ontario.

Experience

Frank has developed a comprehensive knowledge of insurance law and is committed to ensuring that his clients are compensated fairly and that they get access to the rehabilitation and other resources they need to rebuild their lives. He works closely with some of the leading rehabilitation specialists in the area to help ensure that his clients have the greatest chance to recover as fully as possible.

Professional Memberships

Frank is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, and the Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley. He is also the current president of Reach Canada, which provides pro bono legal services and education for people with disabilities, and has previously been a board member for the Brain Injury Association of Canada and the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (National Capital Region).

Elaheh Nikookaran