Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law

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

A scholar, teacher and leader in the Alberta legal community, Rhoda I. Dobler’s practice spans two and half decades, and includes mediation, arbitration, collaborative law and litigation. Her positive attitude, compassion and creativity guide her conflict resolution approach, making her a valued mediator and arbitrator. An ardent believer in the importance of identifying new talent and mentoring junior lawyers, Rhoda teaches the Bar Admission (CPLED) course annually, and speaks at semin...

Sherry L. Fitzsimmons KC is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Family Law, Family Law Mediation and Professional Malpractice Law. Sherry L., who practices law in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sherry L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emily Kissel is a lawyer who practises family law and estates law at Fourcand, Tremblay, Kissel, Plante ’s Montreal office. She appears regularly before the Superior Court of Québec and often represents clients in settlement conference. She has also pleaded before the Court of Appeal on several occasions and recently appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada in the case Association de médiation familiale du Québec v. Bouvier. Emily has represented clients in divor...

With a focus on settlement and the best interests of the family, Alex helps his clients minimize conflict and avoid costly prolonged court battles. He is known for his bright and practical approach and for helping clients reach solutions that ultimately allow them to move forward with their lives. Alex has extensive training and experience in interest-based negotiation, mediation and arbitration. He offers creative solutions for clients in a way that best fits their needs whether that be thro...

Christine Ashbourne is a partner in the Family Law Group at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto, Ontario. She practises in all areas of family law, representing a broad range of clients in matters involving cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, parenting and support disputes, property division, and complex litigation. Her practice includes matters involving high-net-worth individuals as well as cases that intersect with criminal, tax, and interjurisdictional issues. Christine is known for her ...

Nigel established his first law firm in 1997 and has been practicing law for more than 25 years. He has appeared before all levels of Court throughout Alberta, and is familiar with all forums of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is committed to maximizing client recovery, minimizing client exposure and realizing optimal outcomes. Nigel proudly considers himself first and foremost an advocate, and this has been his passion and a consistent theme throughout his professional career. He is also ...

Mary Jane Binks, K.C. is the Senior Group Counsel in the Family Law Group at Tierney Stauffer LLP. She is also an Estate Litigation Practitioner. Mary Jane was a former Assistant Crown Attorney and Vice Chairman of the Commercial Registration Appeal Tribunal (Ontario). An advocate in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Trial Division) and the Ontario Court of Appeal, she also serves as an Arbitrator in Family Law disputes. Mary Jane has served as a Family Law instructor for the Law Society...

A partner at Robertson Stromberg LLP, Tiffany practises primarily in the area of family law. Tiffany has built an extremely successful practice in the areas of divorce, property division, custody, parenting, child and spousal support, adoption and child protection, surrogacy and assisted reproduction, pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements. In addition to negotiating, and litigating, family law disputes, Tiffany is also an experienced Arbitrator, Mediator, Parenting Coordinator and collabora...

Jeff is the Managing Partner of the firm, and practises primarily in the fields of family law and commercial litigation. He has appeared as counsel in family law cases before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia, and numerous arbitration hearings. His family practice primarily focuses on complex asset division, trusts & maintenance issues as well as the drafting of asset protection agreements. Jeff represents JTI-Macdonald Inc. and R....

Sandy Vander Ziel joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 2013 and practices exclusively in family law. She is a registered collaborative lawyer, mediator and arbitrator, as well as a dispute resolution officer with the Court of King’s Bench. She has practiced in the area of family law at local and national law firms since 2002. Sandy has significant experience with a variety of methods of Alternate Dispute Resolution including Collaborative law, lawyer assisted mediation, arbitration and in...

Lauren Hanna is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Lauren, 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 Lauren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Herschel Fogelman is the founder and principal of Fogelman Law in Toronto. He has been named a Best Family Lawyer in Canada every year since the Best Lawyer rankings began. Herschel is also an experienced and highly sought after mediator and arbitrator, able to deftly navigate and settle complex and sensitive family law matters. Herschel is ranked as Consistently Recommended in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. The directory, similar to Best Lawyers, is based on annual peer review surveys...

Sarah Conlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Sarah, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aaron Martens, KC is a family law practitioner, mediator, arbitrator and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer. He joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 1998 and is a partner in the firm. Aaron’s experience in family law matters includes being counsel on a wide variety of family and special chambers applications. He has represented clients in trials at Provincial Court and the King's Counsel, and has made appearances at the Court of Appeal of Alberta. Aaron also does adoption work. Aaron ...

Upon graduating from the National Program of the University of Ottawa (LL.L./LL.B.) in 2000 – as the recipient of the John Aylen Q.C. Prize for highest academic standing - Michael began his legal career working in the litigation department of a large national firm, Fasken Martineau. In fact, Michael initially worked for the firm as a student in the Montreal office and subsequently, as a lawyer in the Toronto office. In 2002, Michael returned to academia by undertaking his LL.M. studies ...