Our Team

Mike Pretsell

Mike was born and raised in the Hamilton area and remains a die-hard Tiger Cats fan. Following his six years of service with the Canadian Armed Services, Mike completed his Bachelor of Arts degree through the University of Manitoba and his Law Degree at Queen’s University in 1994. Mike articled and worked as an associate at a local litigation firm until he founded the predecessor of Pretsell Davies Thompson in 1999. Mike specializes in representing individuals and small businesses before Civil and Criminal Courts. He is the firms Managing Partner and senior trial counsel.

A former deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court, Mike has also served as Director of the Ontario Deputy Judges’ Association, past Chair of the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Long-Term Disability section and a member of the American Association of Justice, the Criminal Law Association, Hastings County and the County of Carleton Law Associations, and the Quinte Criminal Lawyers Association.

Mike lives in Belleville with his wife Joanne and when not in the office, enjoys cooking and golfing, both with varying degrees of success.

Kandace Davies

Kandace is originally from Kingston, Ontario. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa in 1994 with degrees in Criminology and History. Kandace then travelled out west and attended law school at the University of Alberta. After getting engaged to a “County” guy, she transferred to Queen's University and obtained her law degree in 1998. After articling in Belleville, Kandace was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000 and resides in Prince Edward County.

Kandace has practiced civil litigation and personal injury law for over 20 years and has successfully argued cases before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Licensing Appeal Tribunal, Social Security Tribunal (CPP Disability), and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). Kandace also has extensive experience in Mediation and negotiation. Kandace is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the Hastings County Law Association.

Kandace is the proud mother of twins who attend Queen’s University and is a fitness enthusiast.

Sheri Thompson

Sheri is a Belleville native and has practiced law consistently in Belleville since returning here after completing her Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Geography and Political Science from Queen’s University and Bachelor of Law from Queen’s University. Sheri was called to the bar in 2004 and her primary areas of practice are family law, real estate, wills and estate administration.

Sheri is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Hastings County Law Association. Sheri is the current Chair of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Foundation and the Board of St. Mark’s United Church. She is a past Vice-Chair of the Hastings County Law Association and serves on the Education Committee for our local law association. Sheri is a repeat volunteer choreographer for Dancing with the Stars Quinte. Outside of the office Sheri enjoys dance, skiing, travel, and spending time with her friends and family.

Ella Keneford

Ella was born in Ottawa but has spent most of her life in Belleville, where she has developed strong roots in the community. She majored in Philosophy at Queen’s University for three years before receiving early acceptance to the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University. After law school, Ella moved back to Belleville to practice law in her hometown. Ella was called to the Ontario Bar in 2025. She practices criminal law, family law, and child protection.

Ella was selected to participate in the Arnup Cup criminal law moot and the Walsh Family Law Negotiation moot, earning herself a first place trophy in the latter. She has gained experience in the legal field working at local firms since 2021.

When she’s not in the office, Ella enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring new cities and restaurants.