Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Family Law
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 ...
Geoffrey Wells is an experienced trial and appellate counsel with financial expertise to successfully resolve complicated Family Law financial matters including valuation of business, trust interests and support issues. LL.B from Queen's University; B.Sc. (Hons), Trent University; M.A. in Business Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University (1995)Member of the Canadian Bar Association; Ontario Bar Association (2003)Practice includes all aspects of matrimonial litigation and has appeared at all ...
Annie handles all issues arising from breakdown of relationships including parenting, child support, spousal support and property division (equalization). Annie represents clients from diverse situations. In addition to cases involving the “usual” family law issues, Annie has significant experience in cases involving distinct challenges such as addiction, children with special needs, spouses with personality disorders, and other life circumstances that have an impact on every deci...
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.
Adam is a partner at Torkin Manes. He practises in all aspects of family law including divorce, custody and access, property, support, and domestic contracts. Adam’s focus on efficient resolution guides his practice and advice to his clients. Concurrently, Adam advocates effectively to achieve a result that is aligned with his clients’ interests. Adam regularly appears in courts throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Just...
Laurie is a partner in our Family Law Group, acting in disputes involving high incomes and significant property. Her practice also includes mediation and arbitration. She appears in Courts at both the trial and appellate levels. Between 2010 and 2012, Laurie was elected as the 63rd Treasurer (President) of The Law Society of Upper Canada, the regulator governing all lawyers and paralegals in Ontario. She was only the third woman since the Law Society was founded in 1797 to hold this office. T...
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.
Experienced Family Law Practitioner. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1995. Graduate of Bishop's University 1988 .University of Windsor Law School (1993) Known for attention to detail and thorough preparation of materials used in litigation, mediation or arbitration to achieve successful resolution. Committed to resolving matters efficiently, fairly and without having to resort to litigation. Thorough and persuasive in court, when litigation is required. Avid downhill skier, water-skier and trave...
Romaana Shariff is the founding Managing Partner of Shariff & Associates . She has a comprehensive family law practice with experience in all matters related to divorce and separation, including parenting issues, child and spousal support, and property division. She also assists clients with Wills preparation and creating powers of attorney. Romaana is a solution-oriented family lawyer who believes in fostering a positive solicitor-client relationship and working to achieve the best possi...
With perseverance and a quick mind, Adam resolves even the most intricate family law issues on behalf of his clients. He believes that understanding them and what they do is essential to determining the most practical and effective solutions for their unique situations. Whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation, Adam is consistently focused on achieving his client’s goals in an efficient manner. As a Partner at Epstein Cole, Adam can assist in all aspects of fami...
Erin is a Partner with Richardson Hall LLP more than 15 years of family law experience. Erin supports and guides her clients on all aspects of a family matter, including separation agreements, parenting agreements, child and spousal support issues, and drafting co-habitation or marriage contracts. Erin also has extensive courtroom experience and is a strong litigator who confidently represents her clients at all stages of the court process, including Case Conferences, Motions, Examinations, T...
Stephen is a strategic and fearless advocate in the courtroom. He is known for his ability to diffuse highly-charged situations so that cooler heads can prevail when resolving contentious family law matters through mediation, arbitration or litigation. Recognizing that every client is different, Stephen effectively adapts his approach to their unique wants, needs, and circumstances to ensure their best interests are protected. As a partner at Epstein Cole, Stephen’s practice focuses on ...
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...
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.
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...
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.