Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law

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

Jessica Schofield is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jessica, who practices law in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jessica is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Ritu is the Owner and Managing Partner of Horra Family Law. Ritu has practiced exclusively in family law since her call to the Bar. Ritu’s practice includes all areas of family law including custody, access, support, property issues and collaborative practice. In May 2018, Ritu was appointed to the Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) panel for the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket, Ontario. Lawyers appointed to this panel support the family law court process by aiding parties in attem...

Matthew Katsionis is an award-winning trial lawyer in Vancouver who practices exclusively in family law. He has also been featured in The Globe and Mail for his work in the field. Known for his strong advocacy and practical approach, Matthew has built his reputation on guiding clients through complex and challenging family law matters. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked as a teacher, an experience that gives him a distinctive perspective on both the legal system and the family dynamics at th...

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

Diana joined Devry Smith Frank LLP in June of 2018 as a Toronto family law lawyer. Diana has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since her call to the Bar in 1999. She regularly deals with complex property and support matters, and custody and access disputes. Diana believes that settlement through negotiation and/or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods serve her clients and their family’s current and ongoing needs best. She has advanced ADR training and has been able...

Partner Admitted to the Bar, 1984, Manitoba; 1992, Ontario. Education University of Saskatchewan. University of Alberta (B.A., 1979; LL.B., 1982). Mediation, Arbitration and Collaborative Law training. Recognitions Appointed Queen's Counsel (2019). Canadian Bar Association Cecilia I. Johnstone Outstanding Service Award (2015). Lexpert Zenith Award: Celebrating Women Leaders in the Legal Profession (2013). MBA Isabel Ross (MacLean) Hunt Award (2013). University of Alberta Alumni Honour Award (...

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...

As an experienced family law practitioner, Angela understands the importance of providing a supportive space for clients going through difficult family transitions. This is obvious in her ability to quickly build rapport with clients and her dedication to enabling and encouraging transformations as her clients work toward resolution. Her passion for people and providing dynamic and customized solutions are what enable Angela to strive to make the seemingly impossible, possible. Angela’s...

In advocating for her clients' best interests, Kristin balances a results-driven approach with empathy for the emotional and financial strains that separation and divorce can have on individuals and families. Through focus and foresight, she develops advanced negotiation, arbitration, and litigation strategies to achieve creative solutions, effective settlements, and optimal resolutions. As a partner at Epstein Cole, Kristin’s practice encompasses all areas of family law, including nego...

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...

Gordon Sterchi, KC articled with Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 2001 and became a partner in 2010. He practices in the area of family law as both a litigator and a mediator, as well as counsel for landowners in surface rights matters in Alberta. Gord is currently a member of the Calgary Flames Ambassadors and serves on their Board of Directors. He is also on the executive of the Calgary Bar Association and serves as the Vice President. He previously served on the Board of Directors with The Dist...

Kate is a partner in the McKercher LLP Saskatoon office. Kate is a lawyer in the Saskatoon office and practices exclusively in the area of family law, including assisting clients with division of family property, child and spousal support, parenting matters and divorce. Kate completed her Bachelor of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University in 2005. She attended the University of Saskatchewan and received her Bachelor of Laws in 2009. Kate joined McKercher LLP in 2020 as a senior as...

Michael Stangarone is a partner at MacDonald & Partners LLP, where he has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since 2005. He was called to the Ontario Bar after earning his LLB at the University of Western Ontario. He regularly appears at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, and has developed an expertise in cases involving international child abduction. Michael’s practice includes ...

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