GTA Accountants & Finance Network

I elected to double major in Sociology and Law & Society for my undergraduate studies at York University. In 2002, I graduated cum laude, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours and earning a grade point average that ranked me within the top 5% of my peers. That Fall, I commenced Law School at Osgoode Hall.

During my first year of Law School, a close family member of mine went through an acrimonious divorce involving custody, parenting, support and property issues. This experience taught me that family law and issues arising from separation or divorce may impact individuals and their families on many levels. This, coupled with my childhood experience of having a foster sister, made Family Law a natural choice as to the focus of my career. I was determined to practice family law with a view to improving dispute resolution options for my clients and empowering them with knowledge to make good decisions to foster, insofar as possible, financial stability, long-term peace and happiness.

The emotional, psychological, financial and social implications of divorce are palatable and far-reaching. Everybody knows somebody that has gone through a divorce or separation and I doubt any of them could truthfully say that the experience was not transforming. Having personally gone through a divorce, I appreciate the vast implications of the legal process and the value of a good support system, alongside trusted counsel. Much of our personal identities are shaped and defined by family and friends, but most importantly, our ‘better half’. Although we cannot control the behavior of others, we do have the power to love ourselves first, act with integrity and in the best interests of our children, speak our truth and set an example for our children that they will hopefully come to appreciate over time.

I am a certified collaborative practitioner and I aim to save clients money, primarily recommending dispute resolution processes, such as collaboration, mediation and negotiation, as alternatives to court, whenever prudent. Still, there are some cases where litigation cannot be avoided and I do not hesitate to litigate, when necessary. I have several reported cases at the Ontario Superior Court level, the results of which favoured my clients. I empathize with clients and I wear my heart on my sleeve, but I am not to be under-estimated by my opponents.

I have been practicing family law and civil litigation since my Call to the Bar in 2012, exclusively practicing in family law since 2014.

I practice in all areas of family law (except child protection), including parenting/custody/access, child support (table child support and Section 7 special or extraordinary expenses), spousal support, and simple and complex property division.

I have significant litigation experience including managing files from the outset of the process in the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice up to and including trial. I also have appellate experience in the Divisional Court.

Outside of Court, I routinely assist clients with mediation and binding arbitration, as well as the preparation of domestic contracts (cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, and separation agreements).

I am passionate about family law as I get to help families every day. I do not take my job lightly – I understand that my work affects real families, with real needs. I treat my clients like individuals, each with a unique set of circumstances and concerns that matter to them.

Understanding that each client may have different goals, I guide my clients to find a process that will work for them. With this in mind, I became a certified collaborative family lawyer in 2016. Regardless of the process chosen, I strongly advocate for my clients and guide them through the process.

Prior to joining Stanchieri, I worked for a full service mid-sized law firm who also shares Stanchieri’s client centred philosophy