smilaw.ca - Law Firm History

Law Firm History

Paul Shaw, Brian McLellan and David Melitzer established a law partnership in early 1977 with an office in Collingwood. In 1978 the partnership acquired the Thornbury practice of John Metras, Q.C. John became the City Solicitor for the City of Brampton, a position he held for 25 years until his semi-retirement. In 1983, David Melitzer made a career change and became assistant Town Solicitor for the Town of Richmond Hill.

Paul and Brian continued to practice in partnership and were joined in 1983 by Jim Ironside who articled with the firm. Jim became a partner in 1988 and thus established the law firm name of "Shaw McLellan & Ironside".

In 1982 Shaw McLellan & Ironside moved its Collingwood office to the historic Schoolhouse Lane building. The law office expanded to take over the complete second story of the building in 1993, when the Thornbury and Collingwood practices were consolidated at the Schoolhouse Lane location.

In 2003 John Metras retired from his position as City Solicitor, for the City of Brampton, and joined the law firm as an associate. John practices predominantly in the area of municipal, planning and development law.

Shaw McLellan & Ironside is a full service law firm with an extensive practice in real estate, corporate/commercial, wills/estates/trusts and litigation (criminal, civil and family). We service predominantly Simcoe and Grey Counties but often assist clients on matters right across the Province.

Schoolhouse Lane Building History

The land on which the present building called Schoolhouse Lane is situated was originally donated for school purposes by Sheriff B.W. Smith prior to municipal incorporation of the Town of Collingwood in 1858. Collingwood's first public school was built on site in 1858 and the building was used for that purpose until 1884.

The original school was extended in 1879-80 when a brick addition was added. This two-storey, brick structure still stands and has been incorporated into the present site.

The bell that was installed on this first Collingwood elementary school has been preserved by the municipality and may be seen at the Collingwood Museum.

Despite its antiquity, the building was never vacant for long. Its uses included MacMillan's Livery from 1903 to 1946 and Brown's Lumber from 1946 to 1976 before its restoration to its present state.

In 1976, Jim and Cathy Mulholland purchased the lands and major renovations took place making the site into a mall. The upper floor was used as a banquet hall for weddings and social functions.

Schoolhouse Lane Today

Today, the site is the home of Shaw, McLellan & Ironside whose offices extend throughout the complete upper level. On the lower level you will find a fabulous English pub/restaurant, Admiral's Post (admiralspostpub@bellnet.ca) and an equally popular Italian restaurant, Tesoros (http://www.mycollingwood.ca/tesoro.asp). Both restaurants have outdoor patios and an ambience second to none.

And if you are in the mood for reading, visit Page & Turners Book store which features lots of interesting books and a very loyal clientele that comes from near and far.

Not to be outdone, our high-profile Member of Federal Parliament the Honourable Helena Guergis has her Collingwood constituency office on site. Her office is actually contiguous to the Schoolhouse Lane property and immediately to the South of Tesoros. Visit Helena's website at (http://www.helenaguergis.com).

To round out the tenants, how about Mikes' Corned beef on the site immediately south of Admirals Post?

We are often told that the Schoolhouse Lane setting is one of a kind and frankly it is. The site is a unique part of Collingwood's history and is habited by some pretty distinct businesses all of which are right next to a huge municipal parking lot, a stone throw from three major banks, Collingwood's main street, the bus route, the municipal offices and arena.

Come visit us (all).