Business Details
45 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in St. Johns, Newfoundland
At Gittens & Associates, we pride ourselves on delivering comprehensive legal solutions rooted in over six decades of collective experience. Our team of seasoned professionals is dedicated to prioritizing client needs through excellence in service, fostering strong client-lawyer relationships, and achieving proven results. Specializing in diverse areas such as family law, personal injury, criminal law, real estate, and employment law, we offer well-rounded representation tailored to each client's unique circumstances.Our commitment to empathy and accessibility is reflected in our free initial consultations and cost-effective fee structures. With a collaborative approach, we draw on multidisciplinary expertise to navigate complex legal challenges, ensuring clients receive strategic advocacy and personalized attention. Established in 1981, our firm remains a trusted pillar of the Newfoundland legal community, combining local insight with national standards of excellence.
Services
Family Law
Personal Injury
Criminal Law
Real Estate
Employment Law
Wills & Estates
Taxation Law
Business Law
Immigration Law
Civil Litigation
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We offer over 60 years of collective legal experience across multiple practice areas.
- Our team provides personalized attention with a client-first, empathetic approach.
- We combine multidisciplinary expertise to deliver holistic legal solutions.
- We ensure accessibility through free initial phone consultations and transparent fees.
- Our lawyers have appeared in all levels of Newfoundland courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Associations and certifications
- Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Canadian Bar Association
What people say
Empathetic team
Proven results
Cost-effective solutions
Skilled negotiators
Accessible lawyers
Services
Family Law
Our family law practice addresses divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division with empathetic advocacy. We prioritize clients' emotional needs while securing favorable outcomes through mediation or litigation. Our lawyers have appeared in Newfoundland courts and the Supreme Court of Canada on complex family matters.
Personal Injury
We represent clients injured by negligence in car accidents, medical malpractice, and slip-and-fall cases. Our team ensures fair compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain through skilled negotiation with insurers or courtroom advocacy. Decades of experience support maximum client recovery.
Criminal Law
Our criminal defense lawyers protect clients' rights against charges including impaired driving, assault, and fraud. We combine legal expertise with human dignity-focused representation, handling cases from bail hearings to appeals in provincial and federal courts across Newfoundland.
Real Estate
We handle residential and commercial real estate transactions, including purchases, sales, and title disputes. Our services mitigate risks like fraudulent ownership claims and ensure compliance with Newfoundland property laws for seamless transfers and development projects.
Employment Law
We advise on employment contracts, wrongful dismissal, and severance negotiations while protecting workers' rights under Newfoundland labor standards. Our practice covers unionized and non-unionized environments, including mediation and litigation for fair workplace treatment.
People
Ernest L. Gittens
Senior Partner
Practicing since 1981, Ernest specializes in family law, personal injury, and litigation. A former president of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association, he has appeared in all Newfoundland courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Nancy C. McKillop
Senior Associate
With 22 years of experience, Nancy focuses on family law, real estate, and wills. She negotiates settlements and manages property transactions while serving on the Goulds Historical Society board for over two decades.
Natasha J. de Beer
Partner
A 2018 admittee, Natasha handles corporate law, family disputes, and immigration. She received Namibia's Chief Judge Karuaihe Excellence Award and provides cross-border legal solutions for local and international clients.
Robert Escott
Associate
Called to the bar in 2019, Robert specializes in personal injury and sexual abuse survivor advocacy. His international experience includes law practice in Russia, South Korea, and Jamaica, enhancing his cross-cultural legal perspective.
Chineze Nwokedi
Associate
With prior Nigerian litigation experience, Chineze focuses on family law and estate disputes. A Chartered Institute of Arbitrators member, she has appeared in Newfoundland's Provincial Court and Court of Appeal since 2021.
Questions
What areas of law does Gittens, de Beer & Associates specialize in?
We specialize in family law, personal injury, criminal defense, real estate, employment law, wills and estates, and business law. Our multidisciplinary team handles both individual and corporate legal needs.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial phone consultations to discuss your legal matter and determine the best course of action without upfront costs.
Can I get legal help for out-of-province cases?
While based in Newfoundland, our lawyers have appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada and handle cross-jurisdictional matters through strategic collaboration with external counsel.
How do you handle urgent legal matters?
We prioritize urgent cases and offer prompt appointments. For emergencies, contact our St. Johns office directly at 1-888-592-7171 to speak with a lawyer immediately.
What makes your firm different from other Newfoundland law practices?
Our combination of multidisciplinary expertise, free consultations, and client-centered approach distinguishes us. With over 60 years of collective experience, we provide holistic legal solutions tailored to individual needs.
Do you handle both litigation and mediation?
Yes, we offer both courtroom advocacy and alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation, selecting the most effective approach based on your specific case requirements.
