Our Partners

Chris advises high net worth individuals and families on specialized Estate & Trust solutions as part of an integrated wealth planning team.

Chris draws on his prior experience as an estates lawyer in private practice to assist BMO clients with complex estate and trust planning solutions in a variety of contexts. He provides support and direction on matters related to estate, gift and tax planning, succession planning for business owners, charitable giving and planning for family members with special needs.

Prior to joining BMO Wealth Management, Chris operated his own law firm, worked as in-house counsel with an insurance company, and worked in the estates and real estate groups in one of the largest and oldest law firms in Brampton, Ontario. Chris has been actively involved in the community as a member of numerous boards and committees, and has chaired and presented at several programs for the Ontario Bar Association.

Leigh is a Director of Tax Planning at BMO Private Wealth. With over twenty years of experience, Leigh understands the broad issues that wealthy families face. By taking the time to understand client’s specific goals and objectives, she brings her extensive subject matter expertise to help guide families through the unique opportunities and challenges that they may be facing in the areas of tax and estate planning, corporate structuring, business succession planning, and family governance.
Leigh can skillfully take complex tax and estate issues, and speak to clients about these in a way that they can easily understand.  In addition to her accounting background, she has extensive experience in the investment industry, including working at a multi-family office where she led a diverse team. For four years, Leigh co-authored the book “Tax Tips for Canadians for Dummies”.
When not at work, Leigh and husband, Dave manage a busy house with two teenagers. She enjoys running and hiking the many trails Ancaster offers.

John provides estate and insurance advice to high net worth clients though sophisticated, forward-thinking wealth management planning. John offers clients informed insight across the broad spectrum of wealth and estate planning issues, leveraging advanced market experience – more than 20 years of specialized estate, tax and insurance expertise – and a unique understanding of the financial and emotional complexities of family wealth.

He works collaboratively with his colleagues to simplify the complexities associated with wealth and offering affluent families and entrepreneurs a uniquely personalized experience. Together, they aim to help clients realize their goals, at all stages of life, through meaningful conversations and professional recommendations.

As a member of the BMO High Net Worth Wealth Planning team, James brings together the knowledge and experience of our in-house tax and estate professionals and works with BMO financial professionals and their clients to develop sound wealth management plans. He provides support and direction about complex issues such as retirement and income planning, tax planning, cash management, business succession, transition planning, estate and gift planning, and charitable giving.

James joined BMO in 2007, beginning his career at BMO Nesbitt Burns as an Investment Representative (IR) with a Wealth Advisory Team serving clients in the Toronto area. Most recently James served as a Financial Planner specializing in Investment and Retirement planning at the retail branch. Before joining BMO, James spent two years with a large bank-owned brokerage firm. Drawing on his experience as a Certified Financial Planner®, his clients benefit from a depth of knowledge and an ability to simplify financial plans aimed at maximizing wealth.