Samantha Eisen, Family Lawyer, Principal and Founder
Samantha is an effective advocate for her clients, using her background in psychology and experience as both a family lawyer and civil litigator to help clients navigate difficult legal processes with a focused, balanced and trauma-informed approach. Samantha aims to empower clients by providing options, guidance, and advice in an empathetic and supportive manner, while encouraging clients to make choices that best serve their needs and interests. Clients appreciate Samantha’s ability to help them understand what is happening and what to expect along the way.
Samantha practices in all areas of family law with a particular focus on complex income and property issues, child support and spousal support, parenting and decision making, and intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and spousal assault and abuse.
Prior to establishing Samantha Eisen & Company, Samantha practiced family law at two highly respected boutique law firms in Toronto, the first where she practiced exclusively family law, and the second where she practiced both family law and civil litigation with a focus on cases involving gender-based violence, assault, and abuse. Samantha was named Best Lawyers Ones to Watch in 2024 and 2025.
Samantha is active in the profession and the community. She volunteers for the Luke’s Place Virtual Legal Clinic, providing summary legal advice to survivors of domestic violence and for the Pro Bono Students Canada Family Justice Centre, supervising law students and providing free legal services to parties in need. Samantha is a committee member for SHE Matters through the Barbra Schlifer Clinic and an adjunct mooting advisor for the Walsh Family Law Negotiation Competition at the University of Toronto, a position she has held since 2018.
Samantha is a member of the Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Women’s Law Association of Ontario, the Toronto Lawyer’s Association, the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals and the Law Society of Ontario.
Education, Admissions, Designations
Osgoode Hall Law School, L.L.M, Dispute Resolution (2024)
Called to the Bar of Ontario (2018)
University of Toronto Faculty of Law, J.D. (2017)
Dalhousie University, B.Sc. (Hons) Psychology (2012)
Presentations and Publications (a selection)
Samantha Eisen, “Damages for Spousal Violence – Why Are They So Low?” 43 CFLQ 181 (2024)
Samantha Eisen, “Damages for Family Violence” The Eight-Minute Family Lawyer, Presentation and Paper (December 2024)
Samantha Eisen, “Torts in Collaborative Law”, Collaborative Divorce Toronto, Presentation (September 19, 2024)
Samantha Eisen and Anna Matas, “Torts in Family Law”, Ontario Bar Association, Presentation (May 8, 2023)
Samantha Eisen, “The Tort of Family Violence”, Osgoode Professional Development, Civil Sexual Assault 2023: Critical and Emerging Issues, Presentation (February 27, 2023)
Tel: (437) 290-3638
Email: samantha@samanthaco.ca
Law clerk: Lindsey Stewart
Tel: (437) 290-3631
Email: lindsey@samanthaco.ca
Dominique (Nikki) Pangilinan, Family Lawyer
Dominique, who goes by the nickname, “Nikki,” is an associate at Samantha Eisen & Company. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2023 after graduating with a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School, where she was awarded the Nathan Strauss, Q.C. Essay Prize in Legal Ethics. During her time in law school, Nikki was an active student leader in the Asian Law Community to promote diversity and equity in the legal profession.
Prior to joining Samantha Eisen & Company, Nikki worked at a reputable family law boutique where she gained extensive litigation experience, representing clients in matters at the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice. Nikki completed her articles at a highly respected, full-service Bay Street law firm with rotations in litigation, corporate, and commercial law; and before her journey in law, she worked as a consultant at a globally known accounting firm.
Nikki is a compassionate and effective advocate. She combines her empathetic nature and rigorous academic background in Ethics, Psychology, and Writing to ensure clients feel heard and are well-represented with high quality materials. Nikki practices in various areas of family law, including complex parenting and decision-making issues, property and support. She is experienced in drafting and negotiating domestic contracts.
Nikki understands the distressing impact of family conflict and family violence, particularly during separation and divorce. She is dedicated to helping her clients navigate these challenges through solutions appropriate for their circumstances, whether it is through litigation or alternative dispute resolution processes to resolve matters in a manner that will empower clients to move forward in their lives with confidence.
Nikki is a member of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL), the Filipino Canadian Law Network (FCLN), the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Advocates’ Society.
Education, Admissions, Designations
Called to the Bar of Ontario (2023)
Osgoode Hall Law School, J.D. (2022)
University of Toronto St. George, Honours B.A. (with High Distinction) Major in Ethics, Society & Law; Double Minor in Psychology and Writing & Rhetoric (2018)
Languages
Tagalog
Tel: (437) 290-3635
Email: nikki@samanthaco.ca
Law clerk: Leanna Rose Jimenez
Tel: (437) 529-0115
Email: rose@samanthaco.ca
Lindsey Stewart, Office Manager, Law Clerk and Intake Coordinator
Lindsey is the office manager, law clerk to Samantha Eisen and intake coordinator at Samantha Eisen & Company. Prior to joining Samantha Eisen & Company, she worked at a highly respected family law boutique in Toronto as well as a major player in professional sports and entertainment. These roles in corporate law and family law have allowed Lindsey to develop a diverse skill set in providing administrative and clerk support, including assistance with document drafting, managing financial disclosure, and file management. Lindsey’s attention to detail and organizational abilities are key to supporting Samantha Eisen & Company’s legal team and clients effectively and efficiently. Currently, Lindsey is pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with the goal of becoming a registered psychotherapist. This academic endeavour highlights Lindsey’s commitment to integrating empathetic support with legal services, aiming to provide a more holistic approach to client care. Lindsey uses her skills from her counselling courses to recognize when clients may be struggling and provide support through all stages of the family law process.
Education, Admissions, Designations
Yorkville University, M.A. Counselling Psychology (exp. 2026)
Niagara College, Law Clerk Diploma (2018)
Ottawa University, B.A. Criminology and Sociology (2016)
Law Clerk to Samantha Eisen
Tel: (437) 290-3631
Email: lindsey@samanthaco.ca
Leanna Rose Jimenez, Paralegal and Law Clerk
Rose is a paralegal and law clerk to Nikki Pangilinan with Samantha Eisen & Company. She supports clients with empathy, professionalism, and dedication. Rose Graduated with Honours from the Paralegal program at Mohawk College in 2019 and obtained her Paralegal P1 Licence that same year. She began her legal career at a well-respected family law firm, where she developed a strong foundation in Family Law. She then expanded her practice to personal injury law where she refined her skills in client advocacy and trauma-informed care. Rose is an active member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) and the OTLA Law Clerk Vice Chair for 2025. She intends to use this leadership role to advocate for the implementation of a more client-centred approach to the application of the law within the legal community.
Education, Admissions, Designations
Queen’s University, BA (Psychology (exp. 2028)
OTLA Law Clerk Vice Chair (2025)
OTLA member (2024)
Mohawk College, (Honours Graduate) Paralegal (2019)
Paralegal P1 Licence (2019)
Law Clerk to Nikki Pangilinan
Tel: (437) 529-0115
Email: rose@samanthaco.ca
David Baxter, Law Student
David is a law student at Samantha Eisen & Company. He received his J.D. in 2025 from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University, graduating with first class standing. During law school he was active in the school community, including serving as V.P. Finance for the Law Students’ Society and volunteering with the KindSpace Trans ID Clinic through Pro Bono Students Canada. He also represented his school at the 2025 Walsh Family Law Negotiation Competition, where his team won Best Representation Plan.
Prior to joining Samantha Eisen and Company, David completed his practice placement at the Legal Clinic of Guelph and Wellington County, where he gained extensive experience serving clients with matters before the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Social Benefits Tribunal. He also summered as a student caseworker at the Pro Bono Students Canada Family Justice Centre, assisting pro bono lawyers in providing free family law legal advice and document drafting services. Before law school, David had a successful 10-year career as an academic librarian, including five years in mental health and addictions research.
David sees the practice of law as a natural extension of his practice as a librarian, ensuring he understands clients’ questions and needs to find the right answers and solutions for each person. Clients appreciate his calm and thoughtful approach to navigating challenging legal issues with them. He is interested in all areas of family law with particular interest in applying family law to non-traditional family structures.
Education, Admissions, Designations
Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, J.D. (First Class Standing) (2025)
University of Alberta, M.A. Political Science (2022)
University of Toronto, M.I. (2013)
McMaster University, B.Sc (Hons) Biology (2010)
Tel: (437) 290-3589
Email: david@samanthaco.ca