Find a Collaborative Family Professional

I pursued a collaborative practice after more than a decade of litigating family matters through the courts, understanding that the court process is not in the best interests of families, particularly after resolution. Far too often, people needlessly spend time and money on the court process – time and money that could go to their families. The adversarial process is frequently expensive, and pits individuals against each other, with children typically getting caught in the crossfire. Even when the matter is resolved the family is often left broken, financially strained and lacking the tools to move forward.

When the circumstances and individuals are a good fit, the collaborative divorce process is always preferable to the traditional, adversarial court-oriented process. In the collaborative space, all involved parties have the opportunity to meaningfully participate in determining the terms of their agreement – voices are heard, parties feel empowered and individuals are equipped to achieve a successful, collaborative resolution. The collaborative process can involve child specialists and financial consultants, as the case may be, which results in a completely tailored experience for each family. In the end, the goal is that the parties have an agreement that satisfies all of their interests and fosters respectful communication that carries over beyond the collaborative process.

As is the case with the clients, having a lawyer that is a good fit is equally important to the process, and often results in a more cost-efficient and workable agreement. I bring to the table my over 10 years experience as a wife, mother and family law lawyer, along with a background in psychology and social work, and recent experience as a Municipal Councillor. My style is fair and firm (in law and parenting) and I have a mind for creative solutions. Above all, the interests of my clients and their families drives my advocacy. I know that my clients have the tools to reach a respectful resolution, given the right environment; I empower them with the advice, information, guidance and support crucial to collaborating toward a successful outcome.