Alicia Windsor is an associate in Ross & McBride’s Litigation Group where she practices in matters of commercial litigation, appeals, international human rights, and equine law. Licensed to practice law in Ontario, Florida, multiple United States District Courts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Alicia has a broad range of trial and appellate experience. Practicing as a civil litigator and appellate lawyer for over ten years, and a criminal defence lawyer before that, Alicia has represented a diverse clientele in multiple jurisdictions.

A native of Ocala, Florida, known as the Horse Capital of the World, Alicia has been an avid equestrian since the age of 8. Alicia now rides hunter horses in the Milton area and has a soft spot for off the track Thoroughbreds. Her knowledge and love of horses is what inspired her to develop her practice in the area of equine law. In addition to supporting her own clients with equine interests and businesses, Alicia serves as a consultant to other lawyers in insurance-related and personal injury cases where horses or stables are involved.

Alicia earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from New College of Florida, the Honors College of Florida, located on the Sarasota Bay. Alicia’s four years at New College were a defining time in her life. New College is small liberal arts college where students are empowered to challenge the status quo and encouraged to use their education to effectuate societal change. Later, while working as a public defender, Alicia returned to New College to teach a seminar course she created entitled “The American Criminal ‘Justice’ System and American Society.”

Alicia relocated to Los Angeles to attend Southwestern Law School, where she focused on Native American law, cultural property, and international human rights law while earning her juris doctorate. The highlight of Alicia’s law school career was her summer internship at the United Nations Secretariat in New York City, where she worked closely with lawyers and researchers on the Sixth Session of the Ad Hoc Committee for what is now known as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Alicia was directly supervised by Akiko Ito, who became the Chief of the United Nations Secretariat for the CRPD.

Alicia earned her LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights, magna cum laude, from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami. During her time at St. Thomas, she served as the research assistant to the program’s director and as Editor-in-Chief of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review. Following graduation, Alicia clerked for the chief judge of the Third District Court of Appeal in Miami, the Honorable David. M. Gersten. 

Alicia has a knack for relationship-building and views the legal profession as a community. She enjoys collaborating with her colleagues whether it be case related, or on community and professional issues. Alicia is excited to be practicing in Hamilton, but also maintains her strong ties to Florida and the Florida legal community. Alicia volunteers as a mentor to internationally trained lawyers in Canada, and is a staunch advocate for equity and diversity in the profession. She is an active volunteer with the non-profit NCA Network and has established a free mentoring program for internationally trained lawyers that pairs aspiring Canadian lawyers with those already practicing in Canada.

Career:

Year of call

• US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit –  2022
• Ontario –  2017
• US District Court for the Northern District of Florida – 2015
• US District Court for the Southern District of Florida – 2008
• Florida – 2007 

Education:

Degrees

• St. Thomas University School of Law – Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Intercultural Human Rights Law,magna cum laude – 2009
• Southwestern Law School – Juris Doctorate (J.D.) – 2006
• New College of Florida – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology – 2003

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