Adam Cappelli

Adam Cappelli

Adam co-founded Cambridge LLP law firm in 2010. Cambridge LLP now has four offices in Ontario and over 30 employees (18 lawyers). Adam is managing partner of the Estates Group which focuses on estate planning, administration, and estate litigation. Adam has been certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Estates and Trusts Law which has been the focus of his practice for over 25 years.

Adam’s extensive experience in resolving hundreds of estate disputes, arising from poor planning or bad advice, has enhanced Adam’s problem-solving skills in complex estate planning matters. Adam advises executors, trustees, and attorneys in respect of their fiduciary obligations and he is often retained by beneficiaries and trustees in respect of bringing or defending a claim involving an estate or a trust.

The Canadian Italian Business& Professional Association (CIBPA) for Hamilton & Halton selected Adam as the sole recipient of it’s distinguished “Professional Excellence Award” in 2021. Adam’s professional experience inspired him to produce and host two TV shows - “Heirs & Omissions” and “Legal Ease”- which examine many contemporary legal issues. Adam’s expertise also brought him to teaching estate planning in the MBA program at McMaster University for several years.

Adam is one of the select group of lawyers who have successfully completed both the Certified Financial Planning (CFP) program and the membership requirements of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). For the last 12 consecutive years, Adam has been voted by his peers as one of "The Best Lawyers in Canada" in the area of Estates and Trusts Law. Adam received his MBA and LLB degrees from the University of Windsor. Prior to that he worked as a financial analyst and investment advisor for IBM Canada and Midland Walwyn Capital, respectively, following his graduation from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Adam has lived in Ancaster for the past 26 years with his wife and two daughters. Outside of law Adam is passionate about live music and sports.

Areas of Expertise
  • Estate Planning: continuing powers of attorney for property, living wills/health care directives, wills and multiple will plans, testamentary spouse and family trusts, irrevocable living trusts, alter-ego and joint partner trusts, insurance trusts and cottage/resident trusts
  • Estate Administration: probate proceedings, estate accountings, distributions and wind-ups, advising executors, trustees and beneficiaries
  • Estate Litigation: Will challenges, trustee/executor negligence, passing of accounts, guardianship of property and person applications, executor disputes, dependent relief claims, power of attorney disputes, etc.
  • Probate proceedings
  • Estate accountings
  • Distributions and wind-ups
  • Advising executors
  • Trustees
  • Henson Trusts
  • Qualified Disability Trusts
  • Creditor Protection Trusts
  • Beneficiaries
  • Living wills/health care directives
  • Wills and multiple will plans
  • Irrevocable living trusts
  • Testamentary spouse and family trusts
  • Alter-ego and Joint Partner Trusts
  • Family Trusts
  • Cross-Border Trusts
  • Insurance trusts
  • Immigration trusts and creditor protection
  • Passing of accounts
Organizations & Activities

Co-Chair of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation "Ride For Research" Corporate Challenge - Hamilton (Since 2008)

Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Since 1996)

Member of Hamilton Law Association

Member of the Halton Law Association

Former member of Estate Planners' Council of Oakville

Former member of Estate Planners' Council of Hamilton (1998-2008)

Former member of the Hamilton Club (1996-2008)

Former sessional Instructor, M.B.A Program - Level II, Estate Planning, Degroote School of Business, McMaster University

Former member of the Planned Giving Committee for the Hamilton Health Science Foundation

Former member of the Board of Directors for the McMaster University Foundation (Since 2006)

Conferences and Lectures

Presented at estate planning workshops and seminars sponsored by Assante Capital Management Ltd., CIBC Woody Gundy Inc., Dundee Securities Corporation, Dundee Wealth Management Limited, RBC Dominion Securities Ltd., RBC Investments Limited, The Royal Bank of Canada, Burgeonvest Securities Limited, Laurentian Financial Ltd., Berkshire Investment Group Inc., Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., Pearson-Dunn Insurance Brokers, Berkshire Securities Inc., AIC Investments Inc., Great West Life Insurance Company of Canada, Investors Group Ltd., Bick Financial Security Corporation, Kingsgate Financial Corporation, Integrity Wealth Man- agement Ltd., TD Waterhouse Ltd., BMO Nesbitt Burns Ltd., Scotia MacLeod Inc.

Presented at estate planning workshops and seminars sponsored by VON Hamilton, McMaster University School of Social Work, Canadian Association of Gift Planners, McMaster Centre for Gerontological Studies, Hamilton Estate Planners Council, Canadian Association of Financial Advisors, The Alzheimer's Society of Hamilton, The Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre Foundation, Catho- lic Family Services, The Funeral Advisory Society of Hamilton, Ontario Friends of Schizophrenics Society, Joseph Brant Memorial Foundation, The Parkinson's Society of Hamilton, Wellwood Cancer Assistance Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation, Canadian Association of Interns & Residents

Other Experience

Special Guest Speaker on local radio & television programs to provide commentary on various estate planning topics

Former columnist for the Hamilton Spectator Newspaper on the topic of Estate Planning in the Law & Money Section

Former Producer/Host and Writer – Heirs & Omissions Television Program (2011-2015)
Paper presented to the International Section of the Florida Bar Association entitled "Estates and Trusts in Ontario" (August 2003)
Presented at the Canadian Dental Association CLE program on "Estate Planning for Professionals" (March 2003)
Authored handbook entitled "Empowering Your Attorney - A practical guide for appointing and acting as a “Power of Attorney for Property in Ontario" (2002)

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