Orr, Cabot, Crosbie, Oley Law

With you. For You.

We help our clients solve problems.

Practical, dedicated and versatile, Orr, Cabot, Crosbie, Oley Law is a modern boutique law firm based in St. John’s. We have built our practice to offer collaborative and innovative solutions while ensuring personalized attention. We believe in providing sound, grounded advice for our clients on legal issues.

We understand that dealing with legal concerns takes valuable time away from what matters most to you or your business. Our team brings the experience and strategic thinking you need to find the best solution to resolve complex issues. We guarantee that you will receive prompt and reliable service from all Orr, Cabot, Crosbie, Oley Law partners.

Areas of Law

We understand the special care and sensitivity needed when you face issues in your family life. We are there to guide you when you need us most.

Family Law

Family Law

The breakdown of a family is often the most stressful time of one’s life. You need a lawyer who will act as your advocate – to take care of what you need and help you navigate this difficult time. We understand the special care and sensitivity that clients require when facing disruptions to their family life.

Separation, divorce, parenting and division of family property often have a lot of emotion attached to them. They can make finding meaningful resolutions challenging.  Our lawyers have a track record of resolving matters from highly adversarial court matters to negotiated agreements. We also understand that, during this time, being responsive to the evolving needs of our clients is essential.

  • Negotiating agreements
  • Separation/divorce
  • Property division
  • Parenting
  • Division of business assets
  • Mobility
  • Child support
  • Partner/spousal support
  • Child protection matters
  • Adoption
  • Fertility law

“We are courtroom lawyers. Your goals drive our approach to achieving the best outcomes possible.”

Civil Litigation

Civil Litigation

During litigation or dispute resolution, you need objective, strategic and experienced advice. We start with building your trust and ensuring that the path forward is based on your goals and priorities.

Our lawyers are advocates. We routinely represent clients in many different types of disputes, from breach of contracts, land matters, construction disputes and mechanics’ liens. We understand the cost and uncertainty that is inherent in litigation and work to provide effective and efficient representation.

  • Contract disputes
  • Corporate oppression and shareholder disputes
  • Land disputes
  • Employment dismissals
  • Workplace harassment and discrimination
  • Debt collection matters
  • Construction disputes and mechanics’ liens
  • Wills and estates litigation
  • Landlord/tenancy

“The future is important. Taking the time now, will ensure yours is well planned.”

Wills and Estate Planning

Wills and Estate Planning

We all want to have a solid plan for our families and our loved ones, but it is easy to defer getting our affairs in order to a later time. It’s usually something everyone puts off as the idea of starting can be stressful. At the same time, it is incredibly important that your will and estate plan be well prepared and based on your personal circumstances. Doing it yourself or downloading a form are approaches that can leave holes.

We guide you through the process, take time to understand your goals, and ensure that your plan covers all the requirements and documentation. We will work with your accountant or financial advisor to ensure we have all the information. Your peace of mind is our top goal as we prepare the requirements you need including:

  • Wills
  • Probate and administration of estates
  • Power of attorney
  • Heath care directives
  • Trusts

"Good people often find themselves before the criminal justice system due to a mistake, an accident, or through no fault of their own."

Criminal Law

Criminal Law

Criminal charges can have a significant impact on you, your work and your personal life. You need legal representation that will be there with you from the beginning. We focus on building strong and open communication from that first phone call. We will listen to you and we will never pre–judge. We answer your questions, we keep you informed, and we ensure that you have an advocate on your side. As your legal counsel, we will do everything possible to defend you and protect your rights, with the goal of getting you the best possible outcome. Our lawyers are experienced and have handled virtually every type of criminal matter.

  • Impaired driving
  • Domestic assault
  • Drug charges
  • Sexual offences
  • Serious injuries
  • Fraud
  • Theft
  • Appeals of criminal convictions

“You are what is most important. We focus on everything else so that you can get back on track.”

Personal Injury

Personal Injury

A serious accident can change your life in an instant. You have a lot to deal with including your health and wellness and it can feel daunting. We are here to help you understand how the personal injury process works. We will answer your questions about insurance benefits, disability, fault, and what you can expect as your claim progresses.

Most importantly, we are available to you whenever you need help. We return phone calls. We make house calls. We get to know you, your situation and your claim, personally. That is a promise we make to all our clients. We are in this with you.

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Workplace accidents

Team

Partner

Stephen Orr

Stephen was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He received an LLB from the University of New Brunswick in 2010 and was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 2011.

Stephen has a litigation practice that focuses on the areas of criminal law, civil litigation and personal injury. He has extensive trial and appellate experience and has appeared at all levels of court in the province including the Provincial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Stephen has also acted for clients involved in disciplinary proceedings before a range of administrative tribunals.

Outside of practice Stephen is involved in the Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador Officiating Program and is the Zone Coordinator for Officials in the Avalon region. He is also still active on the ice, and as a Level VI official still officiates both senior and junior hockey in the province.

  [email protected]

  709-702-8903

Partner

Michael Cabot

Mike lives in St. John’s and was admitted to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 2012.

Since that time, Mike has maintained a busy litigation practice, acting on broad range of litigation matters, including: construction disputes, mechanics’ lien matters, corporate litigation matters, shareholders disputes, residential and commercial real estate, business law and family law disputes.

Mike has appeared before all levels of court in the province, including the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador General Division and Family Division, the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal.

Mike is a member of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyer Association, the Canadian Bar Association, sits on the Board of the Pottle Centre and previously sat on the board for the Suncor Energy Fluvarium.

  [email protected]

  709-702-8902

Partner

Jane Crosbie

Jane graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 2011 with a Bachelor of Laws. Since that time her practice has been primarily focused in the areas of family law, civil litigation, fertility and health law, and wills and estates. She has represented clients and conducted hearings at all levels of court in Newfoundland and Labrador and at administrative tribunals.

Providing the best value for her clients is important to Jane. As such, she is committed to achieving successful resolutions before a matter proceeds to court whenever possible. Her practice focuses heavily on family law and she has successfully negotiated settlements on files with challenging issues respecting child support, custody and access and the division of assets.

Prior to attending law school, Jane was a registered nurse. The knowledge she gained while working as a nurse coupled with her legal background puts Jane in an excellent position to help her clients navigate the challenges of medical-legal issues, as well as complicated child custody cases wherein it is imperative to put the child’s needs ahead of the parental dispute.

When not at work Jane acts as the legal representative on Health Research and Ethics Board, the Board that oversees all health research involving human subject conducted in Newfoundland and Labrador. She also enjoys spending time cooking with her husband and hiking with her dog Alibi.

  [email protected]

  709-702-8905

Partner

Barbara Oley

Barbara attended the University of New Brunswick (being from Fredericton, NB), receiving her Bachelor of Laws in 2010. Barbara was called to the Bar in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011. Since that time, she has steadily built her reputation as a family law litigator in St. John’s and across the Province.

Where possible, Barbara integrates dispute resolution techniques into her practice resulting in successfully negotiated settlements for her clients avoiding the cost and emotional impact on families when matters proceed through the courts.

When litigation is necessary, she litigates. Barbara acts for her clients, whether it is a child support or parenting application to highly contested trials in courts throughout the Province.

Barbara is also experienced in representing her clients for all their employment, wills and estate needs.

Outside of the office, Barbara previously spent time traveling, cooking (and eating), or on the East Coast Trails. More recently Barbara has had less time for such things, as she is now the proud mother to a newborn baby girl.

  [email protected]

  709-702-8904

Associate

Matthew J. M. Drover

Matthew was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Memorial University of Newfoundland (2014) and received the degree of Juris Doctor from the Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law in 2017.

Following law school, Matthew completed his articles at Nelligan O’Brien Payne (now Nelligan law), a mid-sized firm in downtown Ottawa. He was called to the Ontario Bar in June 2018, following which he decided to move back to St. John’s to begin his practice. Matthew was called to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in October 2018.

Matthew has a general practice that focuses on family law, civil litigation, wills and estates. He has represented clients at all levels of court in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Provincial Court, the Supreme Court (General and Family divisions), and the Court of Appeal. Matthew is an active member of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers’ Association as well as the Canadian Bar Association.

Outside of his law practice, Matthew is a musician and enjoys cooking. His main instrument is the piano, but he also plays guitar and tenor saxophone.

  [email protected]

  709-702-8906

Associate

Iain R. W. Hollett

Iain was born and raised in Deer Lake. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Brunswick in 2000 and his Law Degree from UNB in 2003.

He clerked at the New Brunswick Court of Appeal and was called to the NB Bar in 2004. In 2008, Iain was called to the NL Bar and moved back to reside in Conception Bay South.

Iain has over 15 years experience working in various capacities with the Crown Prosecutors Offices in NB and NL. He has regularly appeared in all levels of Court in the Province including numerous jury trials and dozens of appeals before the NL Court of Appeal. Iain has also argued multiple cases in the Supreme Court of Canada.

Iain’s practice will focus on criminal law, including appeals, civil litigation, personal injury, wills and estates.

  [email protected]

  709-706-0113

Contact

55 Duckworth Street, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 1E6

1.709.702.8901

We are looking forward to speaking with you about your case. You can contact us by e-mail and we will follow up with a phone call or meeting to discuss.

Please do not send confidential information, case details or documents via e-mail. Your personal security and privacy is our top priority.