Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law
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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 ...
Élisabeth Pinard is the partner who coordinates the firm's Family law, personal law, and estate law group. She acts primarily as litigator in complex divorce cases as well as in private international law, inheritance disputes, and elder law. She is also a certified mediator. Ms. Pinard also acts as counsel to accounting and valuation firms on the legal impact of marital breakdown in matters of succession, business transfers, protective trusts, and the valuation of private corporations....
Wendy E. Best has a well-established family law practice and has earned ongoing recognition as a leading family law practitioner since being called to the bar in 1980. She joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 1982 and became partner in 1986. Wendy was appointed King's Counsel in 1994. She acts primarily for high net worth individuals and families. While she settles most matters, Wendy’s practice includes litigation. She was inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawye...
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...
Family Lawyer for 30+ years. Mediator for 25+ years. Arbitrator and parenting coordinator for 15+ years. Current Co-Chair of the Alberta Family Lawyers Association; Past President for the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Alberta Branch; Past National Chair for the Family Law Section of the CBA; Background in psychology and corporate litigation.
Lawrence’s practice focuses on the resolution of family law disputes through negotiation, methods of alternative dispute resolution including Comprehensive Mediation, Collaborative Law, and through litigation. Lawrence has represented clients in all Manitoba courts. Lawrence has also lectured and written articles dealing with various issues in family law, has acted as a mediator, and is a certified arbitrator. Lawrence was re-appointed to his second term as a Human Rights adjudicator in...
Maureen Edwards is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Maureen, 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 Maureen 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...
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 ...
Jen Liew is a Partner at Maleki Liew LLP. She has trial and appeal experience and has advocated for her clients at all levels of court in Ontario. She advises on areas of family law including complex divisions of property, child and spousal support, high-conflict custody and access disputes, cross-border issues, and the negotiation of domestic contracts. Jen is known for her attention to detail and her ability to simplify complicated issues.
Divorce is one of the most difficult and stressful events anyone can experience. Lindsay’s passion is assisting people through this tumultuous experience in a manner that allows them to remain in control of their solution, minimize the conflict to which they and their children are exposed, preserve their assets and improve communication. Using mediation techniques tailored to client’s particular conflict level and matters in dispute, Lindsay maximizes the prospect for a mutually a...
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.
Christopher Burrison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Christopher, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Maureen Lundell has been a partner at Harper Grey since 1990, chairs our family law group and is a firm leader in alternate dispute resolution. Maureen has been a qualified Family Law Mediator since 1985. New qualifications for family law alternate dispute resolution accreditation came into effect on March 18, 2013 along with the new Family Law Act . In keeping with the new requirements, Maureen received Law Society accreditation to act as a Family Law Arbitrator, Parenting Coordinator and Fa...
Gary S. Joseph is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Gary S., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.