Andrew L. Keesmaat
Andrew practices civil litigation with a focus on estate litigation, capacity litigation and elder law. He was called to the Ontario bar in 2009. Before joining Wynne, Pringle, Jeske & Keesmaat as a partner in 2026, he practiced at another large, full-service firm in Hamilton in estate litigation, civil litigation and insurance defence litigation.
He obtained his LL.B. at Ottawa University after completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Carleton University. In 2018, Andrew obtained The Osgoode Certificate in Elder Law through study at the Osgoode Hall Law School of York University’s Professional Development program.
Andrew has extensive experience with issues surrounding estates and legal issues affecting elders, the elderly and other interested parties, including:
- Estate litigation
- Elder law
- Applications for directions
- Will interpretation
- Will disputes, challenges and defences
- Will rectification
- Will construction
- Dependent relief claims and other claims against estates
- Passings of accounts
- Powers of attorney for property and personal care
- Advice and guidance to attorneys for property and personal care
- Disputes between attorneys
- Capacity litigation
- Capacity assessments
- Constructive and resulting trusts
- Guardianship applications
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Fiduciary duties and obligations
- Probate
- Intestacy
- Gifts
- Costs issues arising out of estate disputes
He has acted for estate trustees including professional trustees, beneficiaries and attorneys and has been appointed as counsel pursuant to section 3 of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c.30. He has appeared as counsel on behalf of clients before all levels of Court in Ontario.
Andrew is a past president of the Hamilton Law Association and remains a trustee. He is also the past chair of the Estates & Trusts Subcommittee of the HLA and remains an active member. He is a past president and executive member of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club, and the past chair of Lawyers’ Legacy for Children.
He is currently the Estates Law Committee Chair for the Federation of Ontario Law Associations (FOLA) and remains active in the Ontario legal community.
Andrew relates to his clients on a personal level and understands that legal issues are complex and stressful. He strives to bring a personal touch to his practice.
Notable Decisions
- Ditraglia v. Wright, 2025 ONSC 5525
- J.I. v. Johnson, 2024 ONSC 4121 (unreported)
- Leonard v. Zychowicz, 2022 ONCA 212
- Tishenko v. Walper, et al., 2021 ONSC 5026
- Nadeau v. CBRE Limited, 2020 ONSC 1150
- Teixeira v. Markgraf Estate, 2017 ONCA 819
- Teixeira v. Estate of Maria Markgraf, et al., 2017 ONSC 427
- Ayad et al. v. Eddolls and Certas Direct Insurance Company, 2016 ONSC 1149
- Booy-Bos v. Farruggia, 2016 ONSC 7392
- Burkhardt v. Burkhardt Estate, 2015 ONSC 2688
- Mester v. Welland (City), 2011 ONSC 268
Assistants
Leslie
Phone Extension: 333
Email: lesliew@anclaw.com