Best Lawyers Near You in Toronto, Ontario for Family Law
George is a partner with Thomson Rogers and his practice is devoted to litigation with an emphasis on matrimonial litigation and matters involving commercial disputes. George has co-authored a number of articles for use in continuing legal education seminars and is a regular contributor speaker at continuing legal education seminars having spoken at seminars conducted by the Law Society of Ontario, the National Judicial Institute, Osgoode Professional Development and the Advocates’ Soci...
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.
Family lawyer Jennifer K. Howard joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) as a partner early in 2016 after practising at a large full-service law firm in downtown Toronto. Jennifer obtained her Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar in 2007. Since her call to the bar, she has been practising in all areas of family law and has been involved in many difficult and noteworthy cases involving child and spousal support, equalization of property, custody and access, drafti...
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...
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...
Experienced in all aspects of family law, Aaron’s clients trust him to recognize the unique complexities of their case and to provide practical solutions that work best for them not only now – but into the future. With extensive legal knowledge and a strategic mindset, he is equally effective at reaching creative, amicable resolutions through negotiation or mediation as he is advocating for his clients in court. As a partner at Epstein Cole, Aaron’s practice encompasses all ...
A skilled advocate who appreciates that there is no ‘one size fits all’ resolution to a family law case, Joseph prides himself on taking a tailored approach to serving his clients to ensure that their rights and interests are protected. Joseph is passionate about providing his clients with timely, efficient and cost-effective representation, with an emphasis on effective negotiation. Clients appreciate his keen attention to detail, pragmatic approach, and ability to ‘drill d...
With a focus on settlement and the best interests of the children, Nicola uses her extensive training and experience in negotiation techniques and mediation to assist her clients in meeting their goals. She also helps her clients avoid the conflict involved with prolonged and expensive court battles and enables them to reach solutions and move on with their lives. She has over 25 years of experience with a range of clients. Her legal knowledge, business background, and access to other expert ...
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...
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 ...
Megan Edmiston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Megan, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Megan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
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.
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...
Michael Stangarone is a partner at MacDonald & Partners LLP, where he has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since 2005. He was called to the Ontario Bar after earning his LLB at the University of Western Ontario. He regularly appears at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, and has developed an expertise in cases involving international child abduction. Michael’s practice includes ...
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.
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.