Amelia (Mel) van Fram is an associate with our firm, involved in both the solicitors’ and litigation departments. Mel obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Victoria in 2023 before articling with SMS and being called to the bar in British Columbia in 2024. Mel also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography, with distinction, from the University of the Fraser Valley.
During her law degree, Mel completed a co-op term at the Office of the BC Ombudsperson and worked as a summer law student at SMS. She volunteered with the Trans ID Clinic through Pro Bono Students Canada, and competed in the national rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Prior to law school, Mel worked for eight years for a large BC municipality, and she brings her commitment to serving local government and the public interest to her current legal practice.
In her free time, Mel enjoys paddling her canoe on local waters and hiking with her dog.
Marshall Putnam is an Associate in our litigation group. He joined Stewart McDannold Stuart in 2024 after practicing in Kamloops since 2017. Marshall received his Juris Doctor degree from Thompson Rivers University’s Faculty of Law, where he received Dean’s List distinction and won multiple awards for academic achievement. He grew up outside of Calgary, Alberta and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from the University of Calgary before moving to British Columbia in 2013.
Marshall has extensive trial and appellate experience, having focused his career to date on Charter litigation, constitutional challenges, and tortious claims. In 2021, Marshall taught fulltime as an Adjunct Professor at Thompson Rivers University’s Faculty of Law. He spent the following year in Scotland where he obtained his Master of Laws degree from the University of Edinburgh and graduated with top distinction in 2023. Marshall has successfully represented clients at all levels of courts in British Columbia and he has been published in numerous legal journals and other publications. Marshall uses his strong background in trial and appellate advocacy to best advocate for his clients facing particularly complex challenges.
When away from the office, Marshall enjoys exploring the Island’s outdoors, and travelling with his friends and family.
Matt McCarthy is an Associate with Stewart McDannold Stuart, and practices with the firm’s litigation group. Prior to joining the firm and relocating to Vancouver Island, Matt completed his articles and practiced as a civil litigator with a leading regional firm in its Calgary office. Matt earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2020 from the University of Alberta before being admitted to the Alberta bar in 2021 and then later transferring to the B.C. bar.
Matt maintains a general civil litigation practice with experience representing clients in matters involving issues of labour, employment, environmental contamination, property damage, construction, and personal injury. He has appeared before multiple levels of courts in Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as numerous administrative tribunals and arbitration panels. Matt brings these experiences to bear on his current practice in British Columbia.
In all his work, Matt is a devoted advocate who constantly works to achieve the best possible results for his clients. He relishes the opportunity to offer his expertise to assist local governments across British Columbia.
Beyond the office, Matt enjoys getting active and can be found anywhere from the golf course, to the hockey rink, to the many mountains and hiking trails in British Columbia and on Vancouver Island.
Kyle Falk-Varcoe is an associate with our firm and is a member of our solicitor’s group. Kyle was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2022 and began his legal career at the Vancouver office of a leading national law firm. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Victoria in 2021. He also has a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Simon Fraser University.
Before his legal career, Kyle worked for the Government of British Columbia, including roles in the Ministry of Public Safety and the Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology. During his time in law school, Kyle completed the legal co-op program and gained practical legal skills in public sector roles, including working for a Provincial Crown corporation in Victoria.
In his free time, Kyle enjoys cycling, spending time with family, and exploring British Columbia.
Kaitlyn Cumming is a member of our litigation group. She was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2016 and started her legal career in Kamloops before relocating to Vancouver Island in 2022. Kaitlyn represents and advises clients on a diverse range of municipal matters, including with respect to land use, regulatory, governance, contractual and liability issues.
Kaitlyn earned her Master of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 2020, where she conducted research on access to civil justice in British Columbia. Alongside her legal practice, she is currently continuing that research through the University of British Columbia’s PhD in Law program. Through this research, she is involved in several access to justice initiatives, and regularly presents on civil litigation topics such as on the role of legal assistance, court practices and procedural reform.
Outside of law, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring the many biking and hiking trails Vancouver Island has to offer.
Thomas Haughian is an associate with our firm, involved in both the solicitors’ and litigation departments. Thomas obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Victoria in 2022 before articling with SMS and being called to the bar in British Columbia in 2023. Before his legal studies, Thomas was granted a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Capilano University in North Vancouver.
During his time in law school, Thomas completed the co-op program and worked for University of Victoria Purchasing Services as a Supply Contracts Facilitator. Thomas also developed practical legal skills through clinical terms at both The Law Centre and the Business Law Clinic. At The Law Centre, Thomas provided legal assistance in a wide variety of practice areas and appeared in the British Columbia Provincial Court on civil matters.
In his free time, Thomas enjoys exploring the outdoors, riding motorcycles, golfing, and digital photography.
Paige was called to the bar in 2009. She has experience in all areas of municipal law, including regulatory and contractual disputes, privacy law, liability claims, and judicial review. Paige’s practice focuses on advising local governments on the successful navigation of matters which are politically sensitive and often rapidly evolving, and frequently includes crisis-management work. She has extensive experience in strategic communications, intergovernmental negotiations, and assisting clients in establishing the evidentiary bedrock necessary to successfully defend against current or future claims.
Paige lives near Victoria with her husband, four children and various animals. In her free time, she can generally be found contemplating the mysteries of horticulture, diesel engine mechanics or marine electrical systems, with varying levels of success.
Jessica Eastwood is an associate with our firm, involved in both the solicitors and litigation departments. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Victoria and also received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Victoria in 2018. She joined SMS as an articling student shortly after receiving her Juris Doctor degree and was called to the bar in May 2019.
During her law degree, Jessica completed the co-op program and worked for the Ministry of Finance, Risk Management Branch and the Office of the BC Ombudsperson. Jessica also completed a term at the University of Victoria’s Law Centre, where she appeared in the BC Provincial Court on criminal matters. Through these positions, Jessica gained experience in areas including administrative law, privacy law and litigation.
Outside of law, Jessica enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family and playing baseball.
Josh Krusell is a partner with Stewart McDannold Stuart and is a member of our litigation group. Josh has conducted trials, appeals and judicial reviews at all levels of courts in B.C., and has appeared before administrative tribunals and private arbitrators in a broad range of disputes, including with respect to municipal, contractual, land use, tort, insurance and construction issues. He also provides strategic advice to clients with respect to tendering, procurement and regulatory and internal investigations.
Josh was called to the Ontario bar in 2012 and practised as a civil litigator with a leading national business law firm in Toronto prior to transferring to the British Columbia bar in 2018 to serve and represent local governments in B.C.
Josh is the past Chair of the Municipal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (B.C. Branch). He earned his Master of Public Administration and Juris Doctor degrees in 2011 from the University of Victoria and, prior to practising as a lawyer, Josh held positions within the B.C. public service.
Jeff was called to the Bar in 1997 and has established a solid reputation as litigation counsel for local governments. Jeff regularly represents local governments in liability claims, contractual and regulatory disputes, and in crisis management and injunction-related circumstances. Jeff has extensive experience representing local governments in hearings, trials and appeals. He regularly assists local governments facing urgent, complex and evolving problems which require strategic advice, effective communications and focused solution management. Jeff is a sought after presenter and contributor at local government conferences and is a board member of the BC Courthouse Libraries Society.
Jeff enjoys music, cooking, spending time with his family and keeping up with his garden.
*Providing services through a law corporation.
