experienced. efficient. effeCtive
MEET OUR PARALEGALS
Crystal burns - licensed paralegal
Phone: (416) 361-3319 ext. 225
With over 20 years of practice in insurance defence, Crystal is a cornerstone of Bennett Gastle’s litigation team. Crystal is a Licensed Paralegal and Notary Public in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
She has been with Bennett Gastle since it’s inception in 2005. Crystal stepped into the role of co-president alongside Heather in 2023. Crystal has extensive experience in all aspects of the litigation process and is a key member of Bennett Gastle’s team. As a Senior Law Clerk, she plays an integral role in preparation for trials and appeals and has attended major trials as a member of the trial team. Crystal
has experience successfully representing clients in Small Claims Court and with Provincial Offences matters. She also manages multiple large creditor litigation case loads where she negotiates resolution of collection matters and contract disputes.
Crystal completed her Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree at The University of Toronto, in 2005. Upon graduation, Crystal obtained her Litigation Law Clerk certification with honours from The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario.
She subsequently completed her Real Estate and Estate Law Clerk certifications with honours. In 2020, she continued learning and worked to obtain her Paralegal certification at Seneca College. She was awarded the President’s Honour List by Seneca and completed the program with high honours. She continues to develop her skills participating in professional development courses and seminars.
In addition to her academic and legal experience, Crystal is actively involved in a number of volunteer organizations, most notably sitting on CLEW’s Board of Directors. Crystal has also been a volunteer for the Whitby Minor Baseball Association since 2021.
When not at work, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and travelling.
Michelle brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to her management of caseloads for two large clients.
Her caseload includes working on cases for a Canadian division of a major multinational business and a large creditor litigation portfolio.
Her case management responsibilities encompass drafting demand letters, preparing pleadings, and negotiating with opposing parties.
With a strong focus on client satisfaction, Michelle takes pride in her ability to guide clients through the litigation process, leveraging her customer service skills and experience to achieve favorable outcomes.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, a Certificate of Human Resources Management from McGill University and completed the Paralegal Certificate program from Seneca College, obtaining her P1 licence.
Michelle previously worked for one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers for 20 years. She has also worked in the public sector and with not-for-profit and charitable organizations.
A lifelong learner herself, Michelle enthusiastically supports CLEW, which enables young women to have access to a legal education.
In her spare time, Michelle volunteers with her local Royal Canadian Legion Branch and participates in a local advisory committee.
MICHELLE SPEELMAN VINEY - licensed Paralegal
Phone: (416) 361-3319 ext. 263
Yinyang supports the team on insurance defence files with drafting correspondence and pleadings, reviewing evidence, and assisting with the discovery and post-discovery process. With previous experience at a plaintiff firm, she brings a different perspective to the insurance defence matters that can be applied to identifying different points of the case.
Yinyang also manages a case load for debtor-creditor litigation cases, from initiation of claim to enforcement proceedings.
Yinyang prides herself in building relationships with clients to ensure they feel a part of the litigation process to facilitate a rewarding result.
Yinyang holds a BA (Hons) in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Criminology and Justice from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. She graduated from the Paralegal Certificate program at Durham College and obtained her P1 in 2022.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, and travelling. Growing up in a small town, she enjoys being outdoors going on adventures.
YINYANG HENNING - licensed Paralegal
Phone: (416) 361-3319 x240