Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Family Law
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Harold is actively practicing, and he remains a preeminent leader of the family law bar. Though his official title at Niman Mamo LLP is “Counsel”, he is the lead lawyer on files in which he is involved. For those cases where Harold is not involved, the firm and the firm’s clients retain the added benefit of seeking his advice and wisdom. Named Toronto’s best divorce lawyer by Toronto Life Magazine in 2009, Harold is one of the most frequently recommended lawyers in the...
Jennifer L. Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jennifer L., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rebecca Grosz has practiced family law for over a decade. Her practice encompasses all aspects of family law, including domestic contracts, parenting, child and spousal support, and equalization and property, with a focus on complex property, equalization, and support claims including tax, estate, business law and valuation issues. Rebecca advocates for clients through alternative dispute resolution processes, including negotiation, mediation/arbitration and Collaborative Practice, as well as...
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.
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...
Called to the Bar in 1972, Alfred has over five decades worth of experience in the field of family law and family law litigation, mediation, and arbitration. A long-time lecturer and author, Alfred is well-respected in his field, evidenced by a number of professional awards that he has received including: The Ontario Bar Association Annual Award for Excellence in Family Law, the Advocates’ Society tribute dinner in recognition of an advocates’ dedication to the highest ideals of t...
The stakes in Family Law cases don’t get much higher: it takes a special lawyer to consistently win results at the highest level in Family Law. Jim Edney has been that kind of a lawyer for 30 years, earning him recognition as a Certified Specialist in Family Law by The Law Society of Ontario. Vision Praised by clients for his ability to “put things in perspective” and described by them as “incredibly diligent, fair and intelligent”, Jim advises on complex Family ...
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.