Barristers, Solicitors & Notaries
Meet Our Experienced Legal Team
With deep roots in the South Shore community, the legal team at Wells, Lamey, Bryson, Schnare & Mailman are dedicated to providing excellent representation to our valued clients. Coming from various different backgrounds, the collaborative efforts of our lawyers work to offer top-tier services in all legal fields.
Derek M. Wells, Q.C.
Derek graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1972; and, after articling with Stewart McKelvey & Covert, he joined Ralph Hennigar as a partner in 1973. Derek is the former solicitor for the Municipality of Chester and was a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 1997. He is also the past President of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and served on the Bar Council. His preferred areas of practice are Real Estate, Business and Corporate, Accident and Personal Injury, and Wills and Estates.
Derek grew up in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. He is married, lives in Chester, and has been active in many community groups including Church Memorial Park and The Chester Heritage Society. Derek enjoys golf and hockey.
Samuel R. Lamey, Q.C.
Legal Assistant: Shelly Seaboyer
shelly@chesterlaw.ca
Sam graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1976 and joined the firm as an associate in 1977. He became a partner of the firm in 1983 and is the solicitor for the Municipality of Chester. His preferred areas of practice are Real Estate and Municipal Law. Sam was born in Cape Breton and has lived in Chester for over 30 years. He is married and is a father to two sons. When he is not working, Sam enjoys music, politics, history, and current affairs. He is the skipper of a J/27, racing at Chester Yacht Club, and is also an Ultimate Frisbee player.
Joshua E. Bryson
Legal Assistant: Jolene Russell
jolene@chesterlaw.ca
Josh graduated with (undergraduate) degrees in Business and Arts (Psychology) from Cape Breton University in 1999. He then attended Dalhousie Law School, graduating with his law degree in 2002. Drawn to the beautiful South Shore, Josh then commenced articling with the firm and was called to the bar in 2003. He became a partner of the firm in 2007. Josh’s preferred areas of practice include Accident and Personal Injury, Family Law, and Civil Litigation. Since his call to the bar, Josh has conducted hundreds of trials across the province, including jury trials, appearing at all levels of court in Nova Scotia. Josh has been an agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Public Prosecution Service of Nova Scotia for over ten years, during which time he has had carriage of dozens of high profile cases. Josh is from Coxheath, Nova Scotia and is married, residing in Lunenburg County with his wife and three children. In his free time, Josh enjoys hockey, CrossFit, running, and golf.
Derek R. Schnare
Legal Assistant: Jill Chennell
Derek received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Geography from Saint Mary’s University before graduating from Dalhousie Law School in 2009. Derek completed his articles with the firm and was called to the bar in 2010, becoming a partner in 2016. His primary practice areas are Real Estate, Accident and Personal Injury, Wills and Estates, and Civil Litigation. Derek also acts as an agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. He is a member for the Board of Directors for Our Health Centre Association and was a founding member of the Board of Directors for the East Coast Environmental Law Association. Derek has been actively involved with many other volunteer groups and initiatives, primarily in the environmental field. Derek grew up in Deep Cove, Lunenburg County, and is proud to be practicing in the community. In his spare time, Derek enjoys running, mountain biking, and boating.
Jodi D. Mailman
Legal Assistant: Darlene Guite
Jodi graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1996 and completed her articles with the firm. She was called to the bar in 1997 and was an associate of the firm until 2007 when she became a partner. Jodi is the solicitor for the Town of Mahone Bay and is an agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Public Prosecution Service of Nova Scotia. She is the former President of the Lunenburg County Barristers’ Association and is an avid volunteer in the community. Her preferred areas of practice are Litigation, Real Estate, Family Law, and Wills and Estates. Jodi grew up in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia and is a resident of Mahone Bay.
Jenny K. Boehner
Legal Assistant: Darlene Guite
Jenny is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. During her time at Dalhousie, she was actively involved in the Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association and Pro Bono Dalhousie. Jenny completed her articles with Wells, Lamey, Bryson, Schnare & Mailman in 2021, and is now an associate with the firm. She is currently engaged in general practice, with an interest in environmental law, wills and estates, litigation, and matters involving contract law. Jenny is a proud member of the Board of Directors for Our Health Centre Association. Jenny grew up on the South Shore in Martins River and now calls Western Shore home. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, camping, and exploring the beautiful South Shore with her dog. Jenny is happy to return to her roots and looks forward to assisting members of her community with their legal needs.
Our Lawyers
The lawyers at Wells, Lamey, Bryson, Schnare & Mailman are members of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association, the Real Estate Lawyers Association of Nova Scotia, the Lunenburg County Barristers’ Society, the Western Counties Barristers’ Society, and the Association of Collaborative Family Law Professionals of Nova Scotia.