Partner, Certified Specialist in Family Law

FEARLESS. ADVOCATE.

Kirsten excels in the courtroom setting and is regarded by both colleagues and clients as an unwavering professional and eloquent advocate. She approaches each case with the calm confidence necessary to achieve successful results for her clients.

Kirsten Hughes was called to the bar in 2002 after obtaining her Hons. B.A., B.Ed, and LL.B. Kirsten is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Family Law. After completing a clerkship with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, Ontario, she commenced her legal practice in the City of Hamilton.

Kirsten is the proud recipient of the Edward J. Orzel Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy awarded by the Hamilton Law Association in 2020.

Kirsten is actively involved in the legal community as a Past President of the Hamilton Law Association and former legal panelist for the Office of the Children‘s Lawyer and former Dispute Resolution Officer at Hamilton Unified Family Court.

In addition to a busy family and law practice, Kirsten is strong supporter of the Arts + local community, an avid art collector and together with her team at HUGHES + COOPER LLP, are graciously sponsoring SOCIAL SPACE event in their charming + historical downtown property at 111 Charles Street, Hamilton.

Kirsten, Jennifer and their team at HUGHES & COOPER LLP have selected Centre[3] for artistic and social practice as the charity for the May 2-3, 2025 Spring event.

Credits: Photograph by Ian Pettigrew

Please learn more about HUGHES + COOPER and the Venue + Charity below.

Opening SOLD OUT - JOIN THE WAITING LIST!

Drop-In Open House I May 3rd I 10AM to 4PM

RICH IN CANADIAN HISTORY

109-111 Charles Street was built in 1855 by Lewis D. Birely and owned with his wife, Elizabeth Gage Birely.

Birely's double townhouses were constructed during an architecturally significant period in the city's history dating from 1840-1860 when builders used limestone from the escarpment to construct numerous distinguished buildings. The semi-detached houses were a typical product of this flourishing movement of buildings built with stone.

This modest structure was originally situated alone on the block, keeping with the best of company and prestigious mansions- the McQueston's (MacNab St.), the Hamilton's (Bold S.), Central Public School and MacNab Street Presbyterian Church next door.

Over the next few decades, the neighborhood grew and in 1896 directly across the street the Hunter St. tunnel was constructed for the TH& B Railroad.

Particularly noteworthy in the historical profile is both houses remained in the Birely family possession for three generations and for a record eighty-seven years, passing from husband to wife in 1890, to daughter-in-law in 1893 and to granddaughter in 1929- 1941.

In 1822, 21 year old Lewis arrived from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and settled on a farm in Saltfleet. His wife, Elizabeth Gage born in 1805 on the family farm in Stoney Creek, is the second daughter of James Gage, arrived from Pennsylvania in 1779 and was one of the region's earliest settlers.

Until 1889, the Birely's lived in the north-half of the house (109) until his death at the age of 88. Elizabeth lived on another 3 years until she died in 1892 at the age of 88. They were married for 63 years.

In 1893 Lewis D. Birely, Jr. was a tenant in the house and his wife, Florence, was the owner until 1929. Lewis Birely, Jr. left Hamilton in 1899 for Dawson City in search of gold --whether he struck it rich or not remains a mystery. He died at the age of 48 in Edmonton.

Until 1941 Florence Birely's daughter, Kezia Birely Cook, married to Major Sherwood G. Morrow who served in the U.S. Army until 1978, owned the house.

Architecturally the house is of outstanding significance in terms of Hamilton's heritage stock. Only a few houses remain from the city's remarkable limestone construction of the mid-nineteenth century. Of these surviving semi­ detached houses, none has an exactly similar design. The houses were built with superior craftsmanship and survived exceedingly well over the years and was rated a Category III level defined as "buildings of architectural merit".

Credits: Architectural + Historical report by Nina Chapple - Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, Hamilton Historical Board Research by Anne Rajic.

Partner, Certified Specialist in Family Law

ENGAGED. SOLUTIONS.

Separation and divorce can involve a panoply of legal issues. Jennifer has the knowledge and experience required to navigate the interwoven corporate, tax, and tort components of a relationship breakdown.

Jennifer leads her clients towards creative solutions for their complex legal
issues.

Jennifer has practiced exclusively in the area of family law for her entire legal career. Her practical, common-sense approach to negotiation and litigation contributes to her impressive record of client satisfaction.

Cooper was called to the bar in 2005 after obtaining her Hons. B.A. an M.A., and an L.L.B (Osgoode Hall). Jennifer articled with the Family Responsibility Office and later gained valuable experience at a prominent family law boutique. Jennifer joined forces with Hughes & Bale LLP in 2013, becoming a partner of the firm the following year.

Jennifer has acted as a Children’s Lawyer and a Dispute Resolution Office for Hamilton Family Court.

Jennifer is a committed lifelong member of the Hamilton community. She was a Trustee of the Hamilton Law Association and chair of the Hamilton Law Association Family Law Subcommittee. She is a past member of Hamilton’s Family Law Bench and Bar Committee. She was a bar representative to the Hamilton Family Law Community Resource Committee. She presently sits on Ontario’s Family Rules Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club.

Jennifer is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in Family Law.

In addition to a busy family and law practice, Jennifer is strong supporter of the Arts + local community, an avid art collector and together with her team at HUGHES + COOPER, are graciously sponsoring SOCIAL SPACE event in their charming + historical downtown property at 111 Charles Street and have selected Centre[3] for artistic and social practice as the charity for this event.

Please learn more about HUGHES + COOPER LLP and the Venue + Charity below.

Credits: Photograph by Ian Pettigrew

Opening SOLD OUT - JOIN THE WAITING LIST!

Drop-In Open House I May 3rd I 10AM to 4PM