Denise L. Branton
Barrister & Solicitor, Owner
For over 20 years, Denise has been advising business owners, helping them navigate complex legal matters, providing strategic counsel, and mitigating risks to achieve their goals.
Denise earned her law degree from Toronto’s Osgoode Hall Law School in 2005 and was called to the Ontario bar in 2006. After practicing in Toronto for five years, she moved to Durham Region and eventually opened her own law practice.
Denise’s practice has been focused on working with business owners, regularly advising them on corporate and commercial matters, including real estate, secured financing transactions, corporate reorganizations, buying and selling businesses and shareholders agreements.
With the intersection of business and wills & estates law, it was a natural progression for Denise to bring her expertise into the estate planning area. Denise continues to develop her knowledge in estate planning, wills and trusts and is currently working towards her designation as a Trusts and Estates Practitioner (TEP) with STEP Canada.
To provide her clients with exceptional service and advice, Denise’s approach to client service is grounded and practical, with a strong commitment to open communication. Denise is known for her ability to break down complex legal matters into simple terms.
To provide exceptional legal services, Denise collaborates with experts in various fields, including employment law, tax planning, and wealth transfer strategies.
When establishing her own practice, Denise chose to base it in her local community, reflecting her passion for Durham Region. She actively participates in and influences the growth of both personal and business communities, through her work with Rotary and various speaking engagements within the legal and business sectors.
Outside of the office, Denise, along with her family, enjoys adventure travel that focuses on unique skiing and hiking opportunities, as well as attending her favorite music concerts.
Organizations and Positions:
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Ontario Bar Association
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Durham Region Law Association
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Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
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Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise
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Whitby Chamber of Commerce
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Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Sydney Aquino
Barrister & Solicitor, Associate
Sydney was called to the Bar in June 2023, In 2022, she completed a Master of Laws in Canadian Common at Toronto’s Osgoode Hall Law School. During her studies, Sydney volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada on their Immigration and Refugee Project. She also obtained a Bachelor of Laws from City, University of London in the United Kingdom in 2020.
Although new to the legal field, Sydney has learned from previous work experiences that the best customer service is served with understanding and empathy.
Sydney enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, reading, watching movies and travelling.
Organizations and Positions:
Member of Durham Region Law Association
Marshall Mayne
Barrister & Solicitor, Associate
Marshall joined Branton Law in 2024 after practicing at a boutique corporate-commercial firm in London for eight years. His practice focuses on the purchase and sale of businesses, real estate transactions and related financings, corporate reorganizations, and other types of corporate and commercial transactions. Clients rely on Marshall to guide them through each step of their business, from formation, through day-to-day corporate governance, and eventually to exit planning.
He was called to the bar in 2015 and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Western University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree from Queen’s University.
Outside of the office, Marshall enjoys spending time with his family, weekends at the cottage, participating in the masochistic ritual of being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan and squeezing in a workout when time permits. He also gives back to the local community via his service on the Board of Directors of the Oshawa Historical Society, which operates the Oshawa Museum at Lakeview Park, Oshawa.
Organizations and Positions:
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Law Society of Ontario
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Durham Region Law Association
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Oshawa Historical Society
Jaimin Panesar
Barrister & Solicitor, Associate
Jaimin joined Branton Law in 2025 after completing his articles with a mid-sized firm in Whitby. He was called to the Ontario bar in 2024 and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa (2023), in addition to a Bachelors of Commerce from Ryerson University (2020).
As a native of the Durham Region, Jaimin is delighted to be working close to home with the team at Branton Law. He looks forward to growing his practice by providing quality legal services to his local community. Jaimin takes pride in his ability to approach challenges with patience and a positive attitude.
In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, refereeing hockey and spending time with his family and friends. Jaimin is an avid fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Manchester United.
Organizations and Positions:
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Law Society of Ontario
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Durham Region Law Association
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Ontario Minor Hockey Association
Ruth Metcalfe
Senior Corporate/Commercial Law Clerk
Ruth has over 25 years of experience in the legal profession, with a focus on corporate and commercial law, Wills and estates, and real estate.
Since joining Byron Street Legal at its inception in 2014, Ruth has embraced the challenges of developing systems, implementing technology, and managing workflows to support the firm's growth. She takes great pride in delivering exceptional care in all her work for clients.
Outside of work, Ruth cherishes time with her family and dog and enjoys camping, boating, hiking, and biking. She is also a valued and active member of her church community.
Laura Patel
Law Clerk
Born and raised in Whitby, Laura has worked in the Durham Region throughout her legal career. Laura has over 15 years of Legal Assistant experience and joined Branton Law in 2018.
Laura assists with real estate transactions, as well as sharing corporate and administrative duties. Over the years working in the legal field, Laura has always strived to provide excellent customer service and ensure every client’s experience is a positive one.
In her spare time Laura enjoys gardening, hiking and a good cup of coffee with a friend, but most of all spending time with her family.
Marilyn Branton Short
Senior Bookkeeper
Marilyn has been working in the legal profession since 1988 as a legal Bookkeeper.
Marilyn is Denise’s sister and has been working with Branton Law since it opened its doors in 2014. Marilyn manages the day to day accounting and financial needs of the firm. Marilyn is a strategic thinker, creative problem solver, with intelligence, sound judgment and great diligence.
Prior to working for Branton Law, Marilyn worked for a firm in Pickering for 18 years and prior to that, a firm in Toronto for 10 years. Marilyn now enjoys working closer to home.
Marilyn enjoys spending time with her family, boating, reading and meditating.
April Rose
Administrative Assistant
With over 20 years of delivering outstanding customer service in the beauty industry, April is now taking on an exciting new role as an administrative assistant at Branton Law. In this position, she supports the lawyers and law clerks, ensuring clients receive attentive and efficient service.
April enjoys spending her free time reading, walking, practicing Pilates, and being with her family.