About Natalie

Natalie is a Partner in the area of corporate/commercial law, tax law and estate planning. She has over 25 years of experience as a legal and tax advisor to private companies and their shareholders, including many family owned enterprises and professional practices. Natalie regularly advises clients on corporate and personal tax planning, tax effective structuring, reorganizations, purchases and sales of businesses, succession planning, estate planning, shareholders’ agreements and partnership agreements. She also has experience advising non-residents on Canadian tax issues. Natalie believes in a team approach and works with other professionals to collaboratively determine optimal solutions for her clients.

Natalie has completed several advanced tax courses offered by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants including Parts I, II and III of the In-Depth Tax Course, as well as Corporate Reorganizations and Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business. She also has received her Trust and Estate Practitioner designation from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Natalie is a member of the Judicial Advisory Committee of the Tax Court of Canada.  She is also on the Board of Governors for the Canadian Tax Foundation.

Natalie was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in Canada in the fields of Corporate Law and Tax Law since 2018.  She was named Best Lawyers™ ‘ Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax in 2026.

Natalie is a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics in Nova Scotia, serving as past Chair and  past Secretary of the Board. In addition, Natalie is a member of Atlantic Entrepreneurs One Organization, the mission of which is to empower women in business by fostering an engaged member-driven community built on the sharing of experience and expertise, and mutual support, so that every woman can thrive, grow, and succeed. Natalie also maintains memberships in the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Canadian Bar Association.

Natalie's Background

Education

  • 2005 & 2013: Completed advanced tax courses offered by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants including Parts I, II and III of the In-Depth Tax Course (1998-2001), as well as Corporate Reorganizations (2006) and Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business
  • 1996: Bachelor of Laws, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1993: Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Employment

  • 2015 - Present: Partner, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • 2017 - 2020, 2022 - 2025: Executive Committee Member, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • 2013 - 2014: Nova Scotia Private Market Leader - Tax Services, Ernst & Young LLP, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2005 - 2013: Partner, Wickwire Holm, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Executive Committee Member 2009-2013)
  • 2003 - 2004: Associate Lawyer, Wickwire Holm, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2000 - 2003: Tax Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1998 - 2000: Senior Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1997 - 1998: Associate Lawyer, Huestis Holm, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1996 - 1997: Articled Clerk, Huestis Holm, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Professional Memberships

  • Trust & Estate Practitioner - Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
  • Member - Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Member - Canadian Bar Association
  • Member - Atlantic One Entrepreneurs' Group

Community Activities

  • Board of Governors – Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Board Member, Past Chair and Past Secretary - Special Olympics Nova Scotia
  • Member of Judicial Advisory Committee for the Tax Court of Canada

Awards & Honours

  • 2026: Named Best Lawyers™ Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax
  • 2017-Present: Included in The Best Lawyers in Canada published by Best Lawyers® for Corporate Law and Tax Law
  • 2024: Appointed King's Counsel
  • 2013: Trust and Estate Practitioner designation (TEP)
  • 2010: Dr. Elizabeth A. Chard Chairperson's Award - Special Olympics Nova Scotia

Publications and Presentations

  • “A Comprehensive Review of Trusts Fundamentals”, Workshop at 2024 Atlantic Provinces Tax Conference (Halifax, Canadian Tax Foundation, 2024 - co-presenter)
  • "Tax on Split Income”, STEP Canada 2019 National Conference Round Up (Halifax, STEP NS Branch, 2019)
  • "Small to Large Private Business: What’s Your Exit Strategy?”, The ONE National conference (Halifax, CPA Canada, 2018)
  • "Death of a Business Owner – Selected Legal & Tax issues”, 2016 CBA Wills & Estates Section Meeting Presentation, (Nova Scotia)
  • "My Structure is Set Up – Now What?”, 2016 WPO Atlantic Conference (Prince Edward Island)
  • "Tax Issues in Common Business Transactions”, 2015 CBA Webinar – co-presented with Ted Sawa
  • “Busted by the Border? Cross Border Estate Planning Issues”, 2013 CBA Elder Law Conference (Nova Scotia)
  • “Current Issues”, 2013 Atlantic Provinces Tax Conference, (Toronto: Canadian Tax Foundation, 2013)
  • “Essential Tax Strategies for US Businesses in Canada”, 201 Meritas Capability Webinar – co-prepared with other Meritas law firms across Canada
  • “The Power to Tax Means Little Without the Power to Collect” – Section 160 Assessments” 2008 Atlantic Provinces Tax Conference (Halifax: Canadian Tax Foundation, 2008)
  • “Use of Trusts in Tax and Corporate Planning”, 2006 CBA Professional Development Conference (Nova Scotia)