ARTICLES

I am very excited to be the incoming Chair of the Ontario Bar Association's Family Law Section. During my 2 year term, I hope to introduce new, exciting and innovative Family law projects and CLE and address pressing law reform issues.

Here is some of what’s going on in or related to family law…

I know a thing or two about murder. My practice is principally devoted to criminal defense, but it is family law that scares me. When I wander into a family law case, it is usually a high-conflict case.

In our family law practice, we have come to learn that representing and advocating on behalf of victims of domestic violence demands more from us than simply fulfilling the scope of our duties as legal practitioners.

Conventional family law firms are hiring child protection lawyers, admittedly not with the same hoopla of an Ian Binnie re-joining a law firm, but with probably an equal, if not greater impact for social justice.

As family lawyers, we have all experienced the frantic calls or emails from clients at the beginning of March, or mid-December, because they want to travel with their children and the other parent will not co-operate in renewing the long-expired passports

Mediation requires a different form of advocacy than does litigation. In litigation, your objective is to convince the judge as to the validity of your client’s case based on the facts and the law.

Each year, the Family Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association presents the Award for Excellence in Family Law, in memory of James G. McLeod. Recipients of this award are individuals who have made exceptional contributions and achievements to the practice of Family Law.

Here is some of what’s going on in or related to family law…

Georgina Carson, Family lawyer at MacDonald & Partners LLP and Mexican food fan