Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Family Law
Sarah is a family lawyer with more than a decade of experience helping clients find solutions for challenging situations. She provides timely and practical advice and is equally able to assist clients with cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, parenting plans, property division and support arrangements. She also frequently acts for third parties drawn into family law litigation. Sarah prides herself on understanding her clients’ unique goals and circumstances, and on providing st...
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.
Robert M. Halpern received his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1983 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1985. He is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Family Law and, prior to forming Halpern Law Group, was head of the one of the largest family law groups in Canada from 2000-2019. Robert’s practice addresses all aspects of family law. Beyond legal issues arising from separation, he also provides advice about important business-related family law matters an...
Shannon Beddoe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Shannon, 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 Shannon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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 ...
Melanie A. Larock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Melanie A., 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 Melanie A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Shawn Duguay is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Shawn, who practices law in Ottawa, Ontario, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shawn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kelly Eckert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Kelly is an experienced litigator and has represented clients at all levels of Court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal. An adept negotiator, Kelly provides her clients with pragmatic solutions to their legal challenges. When a negotiated settlement is not possible, Kelly takes a strategic approach to resolving her client's legal issues through litigation. Kelly has published several articl...
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...
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.
Michael Rankin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Family Law. Michael, 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 Michael 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...
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...
Carolyn Lloyd is a partner in Lerners LLP’s London Family Law Group. She has practised exclusively family law since her call to the Ontario Bar in 2000. She has significant experience litigating disputes involving support, property, and custody issues, and all legal rights arising from marriage, cohabitation, and parenting. She routinely handles complex family law matters with corporate issues involving corporate counsel, business valuators, accountants, tax advisors, and other experts....
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.