Ashley Thornton

Ashley Thornton is an associate in Gowling WLG’s Disputes Department in Toronto. She assists clients with complex disputes, bringing a thoughtful, practical and client-focused approach to her work. Ashley is committed to understanding her clients’ objectives and developing effective strategies to achieve favourable, practical outcomes.

Ashley earned her Juris Doctor from the Schulich School of Law, where she completed a specialization in Health Law & Policy. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University, with double majors in Criminology and Psychology and double minors in Human Rights and Law, Politics & Society. During her undergraduate degree, she also earned a specialization certificate in Family Violence Issues.

Ashley developed her advocacy skills through extensive moot court experience, competing in the American Moot Court Association and the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court competition. At the North American Regional Round of the Stetson Moot, Ashley and her co-counsel placed first overall in oral advocacy and first in the written brief, while Ashley was recognized as the best oralist in the final round. Their team went on to compete internationally, advancing to the round of 16 alongside law school teams from around the world.

During law school, Ashley gained additional practical experience through her involvement with the Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association, Dalhousie Student Advocacy Services and two Pro Bono projects. She also developed her legal research and analytical skills as a research assistant with the Access to Justice and Law Reform Institute and the Muriel McQueen Centre for Family Violence Issues, contributing to research on issues related to access to justice and family violence.