Natai Marie Shelsen

With nearly 15 years of experience, Natai Shelsen is a strategic litigator and mediator known for resolving complex disputes with common sense, practicality and an eye to the preservation of relationships.

Natai practices in both English and French and is licensed in Ontario and Quebec. She has represented clients at every level of court in both provinces, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Natai believes mediation is one of the most effective tools for resolving disputes, before or after litigation has started. It saves parties time, money, and uncertainty while creating solutions that litigation simply cannot achieve. Natai helps parties navigate their conflict, find enduring solutions, and keep their relationship intact (or negotiate a graceful exit). Natai is strong advocate of early mediation (mediation before litigation begins – read more about it here ).

Natai’s mediation practice is focused on relationship preservation and management. She is adept at mediating disputes between individuals or groups with ongoing relationships, including professional practices (midwives, dentists, accountants, etc); shareholder disputes, business partnerships and closely-held or family-run businesses; co-workers and employment-related disputes; families and intergenerational disputes; and neighbours.

Drawing on nearly 15 years of litigation experience, she also mediates active litigation matters, helping parties realistically assess the strengths, risks, and costs of their positions. She is known for her balanced, thoughtful approach and her ability to build trust with all parties at the table. Natai is a roster member of Ontario’s mandatory mediation program .

Natai is also uniquely positioned to mediate disputes involving Indigenous rights and interests. With extensive experience in Indigenous-rights litigation and negotiations, she brings both legal depth and cultural competency to these matters.