ABOUT Our LAW Firm
At Highlander Law Group, a law firm with offices in Tantallon (just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia) we embody the characteristics of the Scottish Highlanders: strong work ethic, loyalty and a determination to succeed. The founder of Highlander, Dianna Rievaj, is originally a MacDonald from Antigonish, Nova Scotia – the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia. Like many Nova Scotia families with Scottish descent, the MacDonald’s have strong ties to their Scottish culture.
The Scottish Highlanders were a hard working clan who were fiercely loyal. They didn’t have an easy existence, but they soldiered on with a determined perseverance born of a deeply rooted belief that what they were fighting for was worth it. At Highlander, our lawyers apply the same passion to each file.
Our Team
Dianna rievaj, litigation lawyer at highlander law group
DIANNA M. RIEVAJ LLB, MBA
902-826-3070 x101
drievaj@highlanderlaw.ca
Dianna Rievaj, the founder of Highlander Law Group, is also ‘Mom’ to young kids and a rescue dog. She understands that there usually aren’t enough hours in the day or dollars in the bank. She is always upfront and honest about the potential outcomes and the costs involved. Dianna’s clients will tell you she takes the time to really understand your goals then bends over backwards to achieve them. She goes out of her way to make sure you fully understand the process and she doesn’t use fancy legal jargon.
In addition to her law degree Dianna has an honours Bachelor of Business degree from Bishops University and an MBA from Dalhousie University. Her business background allows her to stand in the shoes of her small business clients. She works with her clients to find a workable solution since sometimes the ‘ideal’ solution simply isn’t an option.
As a lawyer in Halifax, Dianna has appeared before the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Provincial (Criminal) Court, Small Claims Court, Family Court, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Bankruptcy Court, Traffic Court and the Nova Scotia Labour Board.
Briana O’grady, real estate lawyer at Highlander law group
Briana C. O'Grady J.D.
902-826-3070 x102
bogrady@highlanderlaw.ca
Briana focuses her practice on Real Estate. She grew up in Bedford, Nova Scotia and has family in both Halifax and the Annapolis Valley. She has a deep connection with Nova Scotia and can appreciate anyone’s goal to make the province home.
She is also a long time member of the competitive equestrian sport community in Nova Scotia. Her involvement in competitive sport has taught her that hard work yields results. In addition, balancing a busy schedule of sport and work has taught her that time is valuable, and best spent doing the things you love. As your lawyer, she will handle your matters efficiently in order to minimize the time you spend dealing with legal matters.
Briana sits on the Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission Licencing Committee.
Anastacia Deslauriers, Family law lawyer at Highlander law group
Anastacia DesLauriers J.D.
902-826-3070 x105
adeslauriers@highlanderlaw.ca
Anastacia (Stacey) DesLauriers (formerly Merrigan) practices primarily family law, focusing on contested matters and resolving complicated files. Stacey recognizes the toll that changes in family structure take on clients, and offers flexibility to clients, not only with the option of virtual appointments, but also available appointments on evenings or weekends.
Stacey has significant family law experience in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and was formerly a member of the Nova Scotia Family Law Standards and the Family Division Liaison committees. Stacey currently serves as the Secretary for the national CBA branch's SAGDA (Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance) section, and is a vocal advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Stacey uses she, he or they pronouns.
Outside of the office, Stacey enjoys performing in community theatre, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and experimenting in the kitchen. Stacey resides in the Annapolis Valley, and is the proud parent to two grown children and three beautiful cats.
John Boddie L.L.B. (Hons)
902-826-3070 x104
jboddie@highlanderlaw.ca
John is local to the Tantallon/St. Margaret’s Bay area and has a passion for assisting business owners meet their objectives.
Current practice includes corporate and commercial law, real property, administrative law and mental health law. He provides advice on debt financing matters, negotiation and drafting of commitment letters, loan agreements and security documentation. Negotiating and drafting contracts, transactional agreements as well as other commercial agreements and assisting clients in various corporate and commercial transactions including share and asset purchase and sale transactions. Along with general corporate matters including debt recovery and employment matters and corporate governance.
He is a current member of the Psychiatric Facilities Review Board and the Motor Vehicle Appeals Board.
Vicki macdonald, paralegal at highlander law group
vicki macdonald
902-826-3070 x103
vmacdonald@highlanderlaw.ca
Vicki is the friendly voice or smiling face who will greet you when you contact Highlander Law Group. Vicki is a professionally trained paralegal, graduating from Eastern College in 2018. She has been with us for over five years so she knows the ins and outs of our business incredibly well. If she doesn’t know the answer to your question, she’ll certainly find out.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
To make sure our team has the time to support you, we embrace technology. During business hours, unless your lawyer is in a meeting or in court, our support staff will be able to reach them. Our files are all accessible remotely so if something needs to be done in a hurry, even if your lawyer is out of the office, it can be taken care of promptly. We’re happy to conduct business via email and you can even pay your bill online if that’s your preference. Our systems also allow us to have client meetings at locations other than our office - we can come to you. And our ‘electronic’ office is very environmentally friendly since we don’t have to print nearly as much!
REFERRAL TEAM
No one lawyer is an expert in all areas of the law (and if you find one who says they are; they’re likely stretching the truth). At Highlander, we are more concerned with helping our clients get the best legal support available than in making a quick dollar taking every case that comes in our door. As a result, we’ve built relationships with lawyers in Halifax who focus their practice on some of the more specialized areas of law. After meeting with you, if we feel you would be better served by working with one of these lawyers, we’ll help you transfer your file to one of them.
| Area of Law | Lawyer Name | Law Firm |
| Français | Suzanne Robichaud | Scotia Law Inc. |
| Aboriginal | Garnet Brooks | Burchells |
| Marine/Environmental | Sarah Shiels | Clifford Shiels Legal |
| Tax Planning | Corinne Boudreau | Corinne Boudreau - Barrister & Solicitor |
| Disability Income Claims | David Brannen | Resolute Legal |
| Criminal | Trevor McGuigan | MacEwen McGuigan Giacomantonio Trial Lawyers |
| Immigration | Morgan Hicks | Farrow Hicks Law |
