Meet Kailey O’Neil, A Key Member of Our Litigation Team

When clients retain a law firm, they’re not just hiring legal knowledge – they’re placing trust in the people behind it.

That trust is built on preparation, thoughtful analysis and a commitment to understanding what matters most to clients.

Kailey O’Neil embodies that approach.

Her path to law began long before she stepped into a courtroom or classroom.

“I’ve always been chatty,” she laughs. “I was eager to participate in class discussions and quite convicted in my opinions.”

From early debates in English and history classes to a memorable childhood declaration that she intended to attend Harvard Law School – delivered casually while grabbing a popsicle – law was always in the background.

What drew her in wasn’t simply argument. It was analysis.

“I like digging in and teasing apart the information and finding the answer,” she says.

That instinct shapes her role at Lawson Creamer today.

Building a Foundation

Originally from Ontario, Kailey has longstanding family ties to New Brunswick. Summers in the Maritimes were a constant part of her upbringing, and the University of New Brunswick was always part of the conversation when she was considering law school.

In 2012, Kailey earned her Juris Doctor at UNB before beginning her litigation practice in Ontario, focusing on civil litigation and construction law.

She gained experience handling files of varying complexity, including personal injury and construction matters for a regional municipality. She appeared regularly before the courts on motions, pre-trial conferences and trials, building a practical understanding of how disputes unfold in real time.

Rather than stepping away from practice to pursue further study, Kailey chose to deepen her expertise while continuing to work. She completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Labour Relations and Employment Law at Osgoode Hall Law School on a part-time basis, strengthening her understanding of workplace and employment-related issues while remaining active in litigation.

Then she made a deliberate choice to build her life – and raise her family – in New Brunswick.

From Courtroom to Classroom

Kailey returned to the University of New Brunswick – this time as a contract academic instructor.

She taught Civil Procedure, Construction Law and Insurance Law at the law school, and International Business Law in UNB Saint John’s MBA program.

Teaching sharpened the same skills she brings to client work: breaking down complex legal principles and explaining them clearly and practically.

The first class she taught was Civil Procedure – in the very same room where she had once taken the course as a student.

“It was surreal,” she says. “Standing at the front of the room and looking at the seat I used to sit in.”

It was a full-circle moment that reinforced something she values deeply: clarity. Understanding the rules well enough to explain them simply.

A Firm That Reflects Real Life

Kailey joined Lawson Creamer in 2021 in a way that speaks volumes about the firm’s culture.

When she and her husband – also a lawyer – were raising young children, she was offered a part-time role tailored to allow her to remain deeply engaged in legal practice while maintaining flexibility at home.

“It’s unusual,” she says. “Private practice is often presented as all or nothing. Being able to still do what I enjoy while meeting the needs of my young family has been incredible.”

That flexibility reflects something clients benefit from as well: a firm small enough to remain personal, but large enough to handle complex work.

“There’s a real emphasis here on who we are as people,” Kailey notes. “It’s not just about being a cog in a machine.”

That personal culture translates into long-standing client relationships and thoughtful collaboration within the firm.

For Kailey, it’s also what makes the work meaningful.

Analytical, Thoughtful, Committed

Litigation is about more than appearing in court. It’s about preparation, judgment and clarity.

Kailey’s strength lies in that analytical foundation – the careful work that allows clients to move forward confidently.

At Lawson Creamer, we’re proud to have lawyers who combine technical skill with genuine balance and perspective.

Kailey exemplifies that blend.

We’re fortunate to have her on our team.

Robert M. Creamer, K.C is a partner at Lawson Creamer. He can be reached at Rcreamer@lawsoncreamer.com.