About us

Rachel Sachs is a lawyer in Toronto and practices elder law, estates, litigation and mediation through her firm, Sachs Law Professional Corporation. Rachel’s practice focuses on the legal needs of the older adult client. Where appropriate, Rachel incorporates collaborative elements into her practice. Educated in Canada, the UK and the US, Rachel is proud to serve a diverse range of clients in Ontario and beyond. She has acted as Of Counsel to litigation firm Marshall Law Group and works regularly with Pro Bono Ontario providing summary legal advice to low-income Ontarians. Rachel is also a board member for ITLNCA NetworkS Association, Yorkview Kids Care and the Roundtable of Legal Diversity Associations. Rachel is one of the founding members of the Filipino Canadian Lawyers Network – Réseau des avocats philippino-canadiens.

Jerico Espinas is General Counsel and Chief of Staff for a real estate development firm in Toronto, Canada. With a background working in the charitable sector, Jerico works daily toward a just future where everyone has access to affordable housing, excellent healthcare, and fulfilling work.

Alicia S. Natividad lives and practices law in Ottawa, Ontario. She is an incorporated sole practitioner practicing under the firm name of ASN Law Professional Corporation. Her main areas of practice are Wills, Trusts, Estate Administration, Business Law, and Real Estate. She is the first Filipina to practice law in Canada and one of the founding members of the Filipino Canadian Lawyers Network – Réseau des avocats philippino-canadiens, and was its first President.

Christopher Rio Mortel is an associate at Creighton Law LLP where he practices primarily family law. Christopher was one of our first guests on NCA Office Hours and he plays a fundamental role as a mentor for internationally trained lawyers. Christopher is an FCLN-RAPC representative to RODA.

Alona C. Mercado is a lawyer in Winnipeg practicing primarily in estate planning and estate administration, real estate law, corporate and commercial transactions, and immigration law. She was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1999 and opened her own law firm – Mercado Trinh Law LLP – in November 2015 with a colleague. Mercado Trinh Law LLP is the first Filipina owned and operated law firm in Manitoba.

Jerica is a lawyer practicing family law in Kamloops, British Columbia. Jerica is a compassionate and fierce advocate for her clients. Her practice focuses on achieving positive and cost-effective solutions for her clients.

Jessette Apao is lawyer practicing in Edmonton, Alberta. Her practice with the Edmonton Law Office focuses mainly in Wills and Estates. Jessette graduated from Mindanao State University in the Philippines. Jessette is passionate about helping NCA students get their legal accreditation. Outside of the practice of law and her volunteer pursuits, Jessette enjoys her family of five, spending time outdoors and a good game of chess.

Marie-France is a law student at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and a caseworker at the McGill University Legal Clinic. Marie-France acted as President of the McGill Asian Law Students Association from 2023-2024 and was a Senior Editor of McGill’s Journal of International Law and Legal Pluralism, Inter Gentes.

Eunize Lao is a corporate commercial lawyer at Bennett Jones in Vancouver, British Columbia. Eunize’s practice focuses on commercial lending, securities, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and corporate governance.

Katherine Ann Fermo is a Barrister and Solicitor based between Toronto, Canada London, United Kingdom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts & Science from McGill University and pursued her LLB and LLM International Commercial Law at the University of Sussex. With a specialization in UK Immigration Law since August 2017, she can assist client with a broad variety of applications and has completed 7 approximately 700+ approvals and over 200 reviews of various immigration applications, both private and PBS visas and counting.

She is currently expanding her legal immigration knowledege to include providing Canadian immigration advice. Katherine Ann’s legal expertise extends beyond immigration law to criminal law, property law, commercial law, intellectual property law, litigation, family law, clinical negligence, and personal injury. Katherine Ann is an FCLN-RAPC representative to RODA.

During her free time, Katherine Ann enjoys singing, acting, traveling and spending time with family and friends.