Barton Seguin — Partner, Pearsall Marshall LLP
Barton Seguin “Bart” is a partner with Pearsall Marshall LLP, following a merger and rebranding from Halliwill Seguin LLP. Bart has a diverse commercial practice focusing on business mergers and acquisitions, establishing new businesses, corporate reorganizations, professional corporations, business agreements, business succession planning, land use and development, commercial leasing and licensing, franchising, financing transactions for chartered banks, credit unions and private lenders, will and estate planning, estate administration, as well as purchases, sales and financings of residential, multi-residential, commercial and industrial properties.
In addition to being a reliable and accessible resource to individuals, Bart is counsel to local owners and managers of private businesses and routinely provides them with the advice, support and information they require to operate successfully within their respective industries. He counsels his business clients on such matters as tax planning, corporate structures, compliance and governance matters, financing, and asset protection through prudent tax and succession planning.
Practice Focus
Professional Background
Called to the bar in 2002 and has been in private practice in the Windsor/Essex area since with a focus on all matters corporate, commercial, wills, estates and real estate.
Community Involvement
Past President of the Essex Law Association and the Windsor Estate Planning Council. Previously served as a Director of the Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Foundation and contributed on several Committees for United Way, Play for A Cure and the Chamber of Commerce.
Barton Seguin, LLB, MBA, BA, Lawyer
Address:
Pearsall Marshall LLP
1222 Lesperance Rd
Tecumseh, Ontario
N8N 1X5 – Canada
Phone: (519) 800-3710
Email: bseguin@hs-llp.com
Website: https://pearsallmarshall.com/lawyers/bart-seguin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barton-seguin-4b537368
Open Hours:
Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
*Appointment required.
Service Areas
Business Law
Incorporations, Corporate Structuring, and Formation of New Businesses in Ontario — Legal guidance for Ontario incorporations: select optimal structure, draft articles and by-laws, set share rights, prepare resolutions, minute book and director consents, complete NUANS search, file returns, ensure statutory compliance, and mitigate future disputes, tax issues, and governance risks.
Corporate Reorganizations, Amalgamations, and Continuance Transactions for Ontario Corporations — Advising on reorganizations, amalgamations, and continuances, including share exchanges, rollovers, asset transfers, tax-driven restructurings, and compliance with the Ontario and federal corporate law legislation to ensure continuity, protect shareholders, and maintain proper corporate governance.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and the Purchase or Sale of Ontario Businesses and Corporations — Counsel on mergers, acquisitions, and business purchases or sales, covering due diligence, letters of intent, asset or share purchase agreements, competition & regulatory compliance, tax structuring, financing, closing deliverables post-closing indemnities and holdbacks, transition planning support.
Shareholder Agreements, Partnership Agreements, and Resolving Shareholder Disputes — Drafting and negotiating shareholder and partnership agreements, including governance, voting, capital calls, payouts, buy-sell/shotgun, tag/drag-along, ROFRs, restrictive covenants, deadlock mechanisms, valuations; resolving disputes via mediation, arbitration, oppression remedies under OBCA/CBCA.
Corporate Governance, Regulatory Compliance, and Risk Management for Business Owners and Directors — Corporate governance and compliance advice for Ontario and federal corporations, including board duties, director liability, shareholder rights, minute books, resolutions, regulatory filings, risk management, ESG and privacy compliance, conflict of interest and statutory corporate governance law.
Business Succession Planning, Tax Structuring, and Ownership Transition Strategies — Business succession planning and transition strategies, including estate freezes, rollovers, family trusts, shareholder buy-sell arrangements, cross-purchase agreements, tax-efficient transfers, retirement planning, corporate reorganizations, valuation methods, and compliance with succession laws.
Commercial Contract Drafting, Negotiation, and Review of Business Agreements — Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements, including service contracts, supply agreements, distribution, licensing, joint ventures, NDAs, standard terms, conditions, technology agreements, indemnities, warranties, dispute resolution clauses, and compliance with Ontario contract law.
Commercial Leasing, Real Estate Transactions, and Property Law for Businesses — Commercial leasing and real estate law for businesses, including lease drafting, renewals, assignments, subleases, rent review clauses, property purchases and sales, financing, zoning and land use compliance, landlord and tenant disputes, due diligence, title matters, and risk management strategies.
Corporate Financing, Secured Transactions, and Asset-Based Lending Arrangements — Advising on corporate financing and secured lending, including asset-based loans, debentures, guarantees, PPSA registrations, security agreements, priority disputes, debt restructuring, refinancing, compliance with banking and securities regulations, and protecting creditor or borrower interests.
Secured and Unsecured Business Financing, Loans, and Creditor Protection Strategies — Advising on secured and unsecured financing, including loan agreements, credit facilities, guarantees, PPSA filings, security enforcement, intercreditor arrangements, restructuring, debt workouts, forbearance agreements, insolvency issues, creditor recovery and strategies to minimize financial risk.
Franchise Law, Franchise Agreements, and Compliance for Franchisors and Franchisees — Advising franchisors and franchisees on franchise disclosure compliance, drafting and negotiating franchise agreements, renewals, assignment, area development rights, master franchise arrangements, terminations, dispute resolution, regulatory filings and risk management strategies under Ontario law.
Asset Protection, Creditor Recovery, and Risk Mitigation in Business Operations — Advising on asset protection and creditor recovery, including security agreements, guarantees, PPSA filings, insolvency strategies, debt restructuring, enforcement, judgment collection, fraud prevention, contractual safeguards, and compliance measures to minimize business and shareholder risk.
Estate Law
Drafting Clear and Enforceable Wills to Protect Your Wishes and Provide for Family and Beneficiaries in Ontario — Drafting wills that clearly express your wishes, avoid disputes, and comply with Ontario law. Services include tailored estate planning, beneficiary designations, guardianship provisions, tax planning, and ensuring enforceability to protect family and preserve assets for future generations.
Preparing Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care to Ensure Decision-Makers Manage Finances and Health Needs — Preparing powers of attorney that appoint trusted individuals to manage finances, property, and personal care. Services include customized drafting, advice on decision-making authority, compliance with Ontario law, and safeguarding your interests if incapacity or illness prevents independent action.
Establishing Family, Spousal, Testamentary, and Special-Purpose Trusts for Succession, Tax, and Asset Protection Goals — Creating trusts tailored to succession and asset protection, including family, spousal, testamentary, and special-purpose trusts. Services include drafting trust documents, coordinating with tax advisors, ensuring compliance with Ontario law, and preserving wealth across generations.
Advanced Estate Planning, Succession Strategies, and Charitable Giving Advice for High Net Worth and Business Clients — Advising on advanced estate planning for high net worth and business clients, including succession strategies, family business continuity, charitable giving, tax-efficient transfers, trust structures, and coordinated planning with accountants and financial advisors to preserve and grow wealth.
Probate and Certificate of Appointment Applications, Filings, and Supplementary Probate Processes for Ontario Estates — Preparing and filing probate and certificate of appointment applications for Ontario estates, including supplementary court filings, affidavits, notices to beneficiaries, executor advice, and compliance with court procedures to validate wills and authorize estate trustees to administer assets.
Guiding Executors and Estate Trustees on Duties, Liabilities, Creditor Claims, Beneficiaries, and Estate Administration — Advising executors and estate trustees on Ontario estate administration, including fiduciary duties, creditor claims, liabilities, asset distribution, tax compliance, beneficiary relations, accounting, court requirements, and strategies to reduce risk while ensuring estates are settled properly.
Preparation, Review, and Court Filing of Estate Accounts, Passing of Accounts, and Accounting for Executors and Trustees — Preparing, reviewing, and filing estate accounts in Ontario courts, including formal passing of accounts, executor and trustee accounting, dispute resolution, compliance with statutory requirements, and ensuring accurate reporting of assets, liabilities, and distributions in estate administration.
Estate Disputes, Will Challenges, Dependent Support Claims, Beneficiary Disputes, and Estate Litigation Representation — Representing clients in Ontario estate litigation, including will challenges, dependent support claims, trustee-beneficiary disputes, contested executor appointments, passing of accounts disputes, mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings to resolve conflicts and protect estate interests.
Guardianship Applications for Property and Personal Care, Including Advice, Documentation, and Representation in Ontario — Assisting with guardianship applications for property and personal care in Ontario, including preparing required documentation, advising on responsibilities and decision-making authority, court filings, representation in hearings, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements for guardians.
Real Estate in Estates – Handling Sales, Title Transfers, Registrations, and Compliance for Estate-Related Properties — Advising on real estate in estates, including property sales, title transfer, mortgage discharges, and registrations. Services cover due diligence, compliance with Ontario estate and land registry requirements, resolving title issues and assisting executors with estate-related property transactions.
Business Succession Planning for Family or Closely Held Companies Including Ownership Transfer and Continuity Strategies — Advising on business succession planning for family and closely held companies, including ownership transfer, shareholder arrangements, governance structure, tax planning, trust use, continuity strategies and coordinated planning with advisors to ensure smooth transition and preserve business value.
Cross-Border Estate and Trust Planning Advising on Foreign Assets, International Jurisdictions and Estate Administration — Advising on cross-border estate and trust planning, including foreign assets, international jurisdictions, tax implications, probate recognition, compliance with Ontario law, coordination with accountants and advisors, and strategies to streamline global estate administration and reduce risk.
Real Estate Law
Residential Real Estate Closings in Ontario – Legal Counsel for Home, Condo, Private Purchase and Sale Transactions — Providing legal counsel for Ontario residential real estate closings, including homes, condos, private sales, and new builds. Services cover agreement review, title search, mortgage coordination, compliance, and registration to ensure secure, accurate, and timely completion of property transactions.
Home Purchase Legal Services – APS Review, Title Search, Mortgage Coordination, and Closing in Ontario — Advising Ontario buyers on home purchases, including agreement of purchase and sale review, title search, mortgage coordination, requisitions, insurance, compliance with legal requirements, and closing registration to ensure ownership is transferred securely, accurately, and on time.
Home Sale Legal Services – Agreements, Title Requisitions, Mortgage Payouts, and Final Closing for Ontario Sellers — Representing Ontario homeowners in property sales, including agreement preparation, review of requisitions, clearing title, mortgage payout and discharge, compliance with closing requirements, and registration of documents to ensure smooth, timely, and legally compliant transfer to buyers.
Mortgage Refinance Legal Services – Title Review, Lender Coordination, Payout Discharges, and Registration — Handling Ontario mortgage refinancing, including title review, lender coordination, payout statements, mortgage discharges, and registration. Services ensure clear title, compliance with legal requirements, accurate documentation, and smooth refinancing transactions completed on schedule.
Agreement of Purchase and Sale Review – Advice on Private Deals, Builder Agreements, FSBO, and Ontario Contracts — Reviewing agreements of purchase and sale for Ontario property transactions, including private deals, FSBO, and builder contracts. Services include identifying risks, advising on terms, negotiating amendments, ensuring compliance with Ontario law, and protecting client interests before signing.
Land Transfer and Registration – Title Changes, Gifts, Family Transfers, and Ontario Land Transfer Tax Compliance — Managing Ontario land transfers, including title changes, gifts, family transfers, severances, and restructurings. Services cover preparation of transfer documents, land transfer tax compliance, registration with the land registry office, and ensuring accurate, legally valid ownership changes.
Title Search and Review – Identify Liens, Encumbrances, Easements, or Ownership Issues Before Purchase or Refinance — Conducting full Ontario title searches to identify liens, encumbrances, easements or other ownership issues before purchase, sale, or refinance. Services ensure clean title, protect against hidden risks, and provide legal clarity for buyers, sellers, lenders and trustees in real estate transactions.
Title Requisitions and Responses – Prepare and Resolve Objections to Ensure Clear, Compliant Ontario Closings — Preparing and responding to title requisitions for Ontario real estate transactions. Services address defects, objections, encumbrances, and compliance issues, ensuring title is cleared, requirements are met, and closings proceed without delay or dispute for buyers, sellers, and lenders.
Mortgage Payout and Discharge – Remove Existing Mortgages, Clear Title, and Register Discharges With Land Registry — Managing mortgage payouts and discharges in Ontario property sales or refinancing. Services include obtaining payout statements, coordinating with lenders, preparing and registering discharge documents, clearing title, and ensuring compliance with land registry requirements for clean ownership.
Title Insurance Coordination – Select and Implement Coverage for Fraud, Defects, and Hidden Risks in Transactions — Coordinating title insurance for Ontario property transactions, including purchases, sales, and refinances. Services include selecting policies, advising on coverage, protecting against fraud, liens, defects, and hidden risks, and ensuring compliance with lender and legal requirements at closing.
Real Estate Transactions – Legal Support for Purchases, Sales, Title Transfers, Co-Ownership, and Residential Closings — Providing legal support for Ontario real estate transactions, including purchases, sales, title transfer and co-ownership arrangements. Services ensure agreements are properly drafted, titles are clear, taxes and compliance are addressed and residential closings are completed accurately and on time.
Real Estate Law Representation in Ontario – Supporting Buyers, Sellers, and Homeowners With Transactions and Closings — Managing Ontario land transfers, including title changes, gifts, family transfers, severances, and restructurings. Services cover preparation of transfer documents, land transfer tax compliance, registration with the land registry office, and ensuring accurate, legally valid ownership changes.
