The Law Firm of Hacker Gignac Rice ("HGR") has deep roots in Midland, Orillia and Penetanguishene.

Fred Hacker is a fourth generation Midlander. His great grandparents established the original Midland Boat Works in 1880. John Gignac also represents the fourth generation of his family to live in the area. John's father and grandfather were both mayors of Penetanguishene.  Bruce Waite has practiced law in Orillia for 34 years.

Fred Hacker	John Gignac	Greg Rice

HGR was formed in 1981 with the three partners having backgrounds in three separate local law firms.  Fred Hacker practiced law in partnership with Douglas Haig, Q.C. John Gignac was a partner in the Teskey, Heacock, Ferguson and Gignac firm and Greg Rice was in partnership with John M. Gammell. Doug Haig went on to be the area director of Legal Aid for Simcoe County, Mr. Justice Gordon Teskey is now a Justice of the Tax Court of Canada and His Honor Judge John Gammell recently retired as a Judge of the Provincial Court, Family Division.  Doug Haig began his practice in 1955 in partnership with Charles E. Onley who subsequently became the city solicitor for North York. John Gammell began his practice in Midland in 1960 when he assumed the practice of the late George Dudley. Mr. Dudley, a Midland native, had practiced law in Midland since the 1920s when he joined the firm of William Finlayson, K.C. Mr. Finlayson commenced his law practice in 1897, was mayor of Midland in 1906-07 and served as a member of the provincial Legislative Assembly and Cabinet Minister in the 1920s and 1930s. His original partner, Senator W.H. Bennett, opened his law practice in Midland in 1883, was elected to Parliament in 1891 and ultimately was appointed to the Canadian Senate.

The present lawyers of HGR, Fred Hacker, Q.C., John Gignac, Greg Rice, Bruce Waite, Q.C., Ron Crane, Ted Symons, Christine Manners, Andrew Mae, Donna Macfarlane, Don Perry, Damian Rogers, Tracey Rynard, John Walker, Kellie Beasley, Paul Peterson and Norm Feaver have collectively more than 300 years of experience in the practice of law.  They look forward to continuing the Law Firm's tradition of service which began in 1883 and now spans 127 years.

The Law Firm of Hacker Gignac Rice merged with the law practice of Edward F. Symons on March 5, 2001.   Ted Symons had been in the practice of law in Midland for thirty years.   During that time, he represented Midland area residents, businesses and municipalities.   Ted was the Mayor of the Town of Midland from 1988 to 1994.   Ted now works with HGR Lawyers in our Midland Office as an associate lawyer.

Andrew Mae joined in the firm 2003, Donna Macfarlane and Don Perry joined in 2004, Ron Crane joined in 2005, Tracey Rynard joined in 2006, Damian Rogers and John Walker joined in 2007 and Paul Peterson joined in 2008. They work in the HGR Midland office.

Andrew Mae	Donna Macfarlane	Don Perry	Ron Crane

Tracey Rynard	Damian Rogers	John Walker	Paul Peterson

The Law Firm of Hacker Gignac Rice merged with the law practice of Bruce Waite on May 1, 2000.  Bruce conducted his practice in Orillia for 34 years and has served as lawyer to many Orillia businesses, organizations and families.   Christine Manners joined the firm in 1986. She has worked with HGR Lawyers first in Midland and now in Orillia and has lived in Orillia since her call to the bar.   Kellie Beasley and Norm Feaver joined the Orillia office in 2008.   Other lawyers from HGR including Ron Crane, Andrew Mae, Donna Macfarlane, Don Perry and Damian Rogers work in Orillia from time-to-time.

Bruce Waite	Christine Manners	Kellie Beasley	Norm Feaver