Located at 707 Brock St S in Downtown Whitby, Elm Law stands out as a refreshing alternative in the legal landscape, driven by a vision to create a supportive, women-friendly work environment. Founded by Amelia Yiu and Stephanie Ostrom, the firm specializes in family law and estate litigation, catering to the unique needs of their clients while fostering a collaborative culture among staff.

Amelia’s motivation to establish Elm Law stemmed from her desire to create a work environment that aligned with her values. After working at firms that didn’t meet her expectations, she set out to create a space that would be enjoyable, not only for herself, but for her colleagues as well. Stephanie shared this vision and brought her own passion for building a firm focused on inclusivity and understanding, particularly for women balancing professional and personal responsibilities:

We wanted to build a firm where everyone felt supported, especially women who often juggle multiple roles. Creating a positive work environment was just as important as providing exceptional legal service - it’s about fostering a place where both our team and our clients can thrive.

Amelia Yiu, Partner, Elm Law

The firm’s unique blend of family law and estate litigation expertise allows the team to tackle complex cases that often overlap in these areas. This specialization positions Elm Law as a leader in addressing complicated estate issues - a rare niche in the Durham Region. While many practices focus on either family law or estate litigation, Elm Law fills a critical gap by offering seamless legal support in both domains through collaboration and collective expertise.

One of the firm’s early challenges was effectively marketing their specialized services. While family law is widely understood, estate litigation remains less familiar, making it harder to attract clients in that area. To overcome this challenge, Elm Law embraced social media among other marketing strategies. They became pioneers in using platforms like TikTok to share legal insights, amassing over 200,000 followers. This approach not only showcased their expertise but also humanized the legal profession, helping potential clients feel more comfortable before stepping through their doors:

Traditionally, the legal profession has strict norms around marketing. We wanted to change that narrative and make legal advice feel more approachable.

Amelia Yiu, Partner, Elm Law

Social responsibility is a core value at Elm Law. Recognizing that many people facing separation or divorce lack the financial resources for long-term legal representation, Amelia and Stephanie launched Divorce Buddy, an initiative that provides accessible legal information and limited retainers for those unable to afford full representation:

Divorce Buddy allows us to support those in need of legal assistance without the burden of high costs. It’s about empowering individuals to navigate their circumstances with the help of legal expertise when they need it most.

Stephanie Ostrom, Partner, Elm Law

Further demonstrating their commitment to social justice and the community, Elm Law recently participated in a walk to end domestic violence, organized by Luke’s Place, a resource centre for women fleeing abusive relationships. The firm’s lawyers also volunteer at the centre, offering legal advice and support to women navigating the court system, while Stephanie serves on the centre’s legal advisory board.

Elm Law balances top-notch legal service with community engagement, prioritizing social responsibility and client support. Amelia and Stephanie have built a firm that not only serves its clients effectively but also gives back to the wider community. Elm Law remains dedicated to fostering an empowering environment for both its team and the people they serve.

To learn more about Elm Law, visit their website.

Rashad Zaman
M.Mgt
Trent University

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