Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law Mediation

Todd is a highly skilled litigator and trial lawyer with wide-ranging courtroom experience spanning all levels of Court in British Columbia. Todd settles as many files through agreements or mediation as possible, but in the event of an impasse he litigates the matter to a resolution. Todd’s practice areas include the division of high net-worth assets including complex corporate structures, trusts, foreign property, and pensions. He practices in all manner of parenting and custody litiga...

Dereck is a senior family law lawyer, having practiced exclusively in this area since being called to the Alberta Bar in 1995. Dereck holds a B.A. (Hons.) from McGill University followed by his L..L.B. from the University of Alberta. As a skilled litigator, he has appeared successfully at all levels of court in Alberta as well as in numerous arbitrations. Dereck also has extensive experience in negotiating settlements and drafting agreements. He applies a reasoned approach to his files and en...

Louise Campbell has been a lawyer since 1983. Her practice consists of family and related areas of law. Her approach is to find a resolution which is within the law that represents the concern of all parties, including economic, cultural, religious and health issues. She has been mediating since 1995 and has been Collaborative Family Lawyer since 2000. Because they are required in the resolution of family matters, she is also an excellent legal source for real estate, wills and estates. Areas...

Scot D.E. Menzies is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Scot D.E., who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scot D.E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jenna Beaton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jenna, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jenna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bryan has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Family Law. He is a past instructor in the Family Law Section of the Bar Admission course and has contributed to numerous seminars, lectures, and written articles for the Law Society, Osgoode Hall Law School Continuing Education, the Canadian Institute, and the Ontario Bar Association in the field of family law. Bryan's practice is restricted to family law, including negotiation and preparation of complex financial...

Mediation gives people more control over the outcome of their disputes and provides privacy over what are often highly sensitive issues for the parties involved. Many people do not fully realize the lack of control one faces at trial nor do people understand the truly public nature of the courthouse. As a mediator, Diane helps clients overcome legal challenges in a fair and efficient manner. She manages emotions and expectations, and, by engaging in an active risk analysis, she helps to achie...

Doug is a senior family lawyer who has practiced family law for over 36 years. His practice is largely mediation and arbitration of family law disputes. Often Doug is acting as a mediator/arbitrator in a hybrid process that combines the benefit of both mediation and arbitration. In addition, Doug assists a few select clients in reaching resolution through negotiation, collaborative law, mediation, arbitration, and when necessary through litigation. Admitted to the Alberta Bar on January 10, 1...

Jessica A. MacDonald is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Jessica A., who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jessica A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wanda has been practicing as a lawyer for more than 20 years and is a returning partner of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP. A family law practitioner, mediator, arbitrator and parenting coordinator, Wanda Dawson has argued successfully at every level of Court in Alberta. She has extensive training and experience in many methods of litigation and conflict resolution, including collaborative law, lawyer-assisted mediation, arbitration, interest-based negotiation, and parenting coordination. Wanda&rsqu...

Patricia Fourcand, Ad.E., practices family law at the Montreal office of Fourcand, Tremblay, Kissel, Plante . She has a recognized expertise in family litigation with an international law component. She received the designation of Emeritus Lawyer from the Quebec Bar in 2021. Patricia has worked on complex cases, such as child abductions, the validity of foreign or religious marriages, as well as the multijurisdictional division of assets. Her representations as regards the rights of fathers w...

Experienced in all aspects of family law, Aaron’s clients trust him to recognize the unique complexities of their case and to provide practical solutions that work best for them not only now – but into the future. With extensive legal knowledge and a strategic mindset, he is equally effective at reaching creative, amicable resolutions through negotiation or mediation as he is advocating for his clients in court. As a partner at Epstein Cole, Aaron’s practice encompasses all ...

Sarah not only works hard for her clients, she works smart. As a determined and skilled negotiator and litigator, she effectively gauges each unique situation and tailors her approach to be collaborative or adversarial in order to achieve the best resolution for her client. Sarah prides herself on her ability to balance attention to detail with big-picture thinking. Understanding the very serious impact that family law issues can have on people’s lives, Sarah treats every case with the ...

Renée has practiced family law exclusively since 2001. She is passionate about helping her clients find resolutions to their parenting or financial issues based on mutual respect and understanding. She is a partner at Moe Hannah LLP. Renée is a private Mediator and acts as a Dispute Resolution Officer (mediator) in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Renée also volunteers her time with law students who are completing their bar admission through the Canadian Centr...

Martha was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1991, winning the Silver Medal and the Family Law and Advocacy Prizes. She has practised family law since her call, first in a large Bay Street firm, then at a large specialist boutique, and now with her own firm. Though Martha’s practice focuses on all aspects of family law, she has regularly advocated on behalf of same-sex couples. Martha’s work in M. v. H., Halpern, and the Same Sex Marriage Reference resulted in equal marriage and wid...

Krysta Ostwald earned her B.A. in 1993 and her LL.B. in 1996, both from the University of Victoria. She articled with Fraser Milner and was called to the Alberta Bar in 1997. Since then she has practiced exclusively in the area of family law. Krysta worked with the firms of Laurie Allen & Associates, Turnbull Boyes and Soby Boyden Lenz, before creating Widdowson Kachur Ostwald Menzies LLP with her partners. Krysta emphasizes resolving disputes without unnecessary conflict. She utilizes ma...