Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law

Toenie is a Partner and Practice Group Leader with the Family Law Group at HARRISON PENSA™. Toenie’s practice encompasses custody, access, child and spousal support, divorce, property issues, domestic contracts and Children's Aid Society cases. He represents both private and legally aided clients. Toenie focuses on helping spouses resolve the many difficult and complicated issues that flow from their separation. He has extensive experience helping spouses negotiate separation agre...

Ms. Lynne Kassie is a Partner and Head of our Family Law Group. Her practice focuses on all aspects of matrimonial and family law, as well as in related fields of civil law, including succession and protective supervision. Ms. Kassie focuses her practice on complex litigation, and on cases involving high-net-worth issues, division of property and other financial issues related to business interests and trusts. Ms. Kassie also advises parties prior to their marriage or cohabitation and has ext...

Nicole Garton, TEP, is an Associate Counsel at Lindsay Kenney LLP. As President of Heritage Trust , Nicole leads a regulated financial institution offering executor, trustee, power of attorney, escrow and multi-family office services on behalf of BC resident clients. Nicole is the Past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Subsection (Vancouver). Nicole is a member the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP), the Estate Planning Council of BC, the BC Collaborative Ro...

Awatif Lakhdar has been a member of the Family Law, personal law, and estate law group since May 2014. Called to the Barreau du Québec in 2002, she has been in private practice for more than a decade. Her primary area of practice is private international law, and she frequently pleads before all levels of the Quebec courts, including the Superior Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal Court. She is also a certified mediator. Ms. Lakhdar has participated in seminars and conferences...

Stephane Pouliot is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Stephane, who practices law in Laval, Quebec, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephane is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Partner with Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm, in Toronto, Ontario. Called to the Bar in 2013. Practising in all aspects of family law including negotiation and drafting of domestic contracts and the negotiation and litigation of all issues arising out of separation. After practising civil litigation at a boutique firm for four years, transitioned into practising family law and joined Kelly Jordan in 2018. Completed Juris Doctor at Osgoode Hall Law School, during which time spent one semester ...

Pascale Gouin works in civil and commercial litigation, particularly in areas involving civil liability, relations between shareholders and between franchisors and franchisees, real estate law, labour relations and dispute arbitration. She pleads before the Court of Quebec, the Superior Court, the Court of Appeal and the administrative courts. She also applies her expertise in preventive ways, by drafting her clients’ employment contracts and commercial leases. Pascale also specializes ...

A senior member of the Family Law bar and a senior partner in our Family Law Group, Lorne’s practice includes all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody and access, property, support, and domestic contracts. He conducts litigation before every level of court in Ontario, as well as providing mediation and arbitration services. He also acts as counsel to lawyers and accountants addressing family law concerns that arise in business, wills and estates, and personal financial plan...

Susan Metzler’s practice encompasses both commercial and personal litigation. She has represented clients at all levels of court throughout Ontario and in other provinces. Susan’s personal litigation practice includes defence for institutions against whom claims are made regarding members or employees who allegedly abuse others physically, sexually, or emotionally, a variety of issues related to educational institutions and family and estate matters, divorce and separation. Her co...

Sarah Boyle 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 2026. 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.

Esther L. Lenkinski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Esther L., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Esther L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

With strong negotiation skills and extraordinary legal acumen, Kenneth is well-known for his ability to find creative, cooperative and beneficial resolutions to complex family law disputes. Whether through mediation, arbitration or litigation, he is sharp-witted, responsive, and empathetic in his approach to achieving his clients’ goals, meeting their needs and exceeding their expectations. Kenneth founded Epstein Cole with Philip Epstein in 1978. As a senior partner, his practice focus...

Kate Bennett is a Partner and Practice Group Lead with the Family Law group at Harrison Pensa. Kate’s practice encompasses all issues related to family law including separation and divorce, decision-making responsibility for children (formerly custody), parenting time (formerly primary care and/or access), child and spousal support, and division of property. Kate represents clients in family law litigation, as well as alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. ...

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 (...

Richard Pollock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Richard, who practices law in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.