Legal Advice and Professionals

After a severe illness that paused my legal career, I successfully passed the Bar in 2020. Prior to this, I received certification as a Qualified Mediator with the ADR Institute of Canada in 2017 and completed various certifications in ADR, including Advanced Family Mediation and as well as a Conflict Management Mediation Certificate with Conrad Grebel – University of Waterloo.

Before launching LCG Law, I spent nearly six years working for Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region and am a passionate advocate in the areas of family and child protection law. I believe strongly in alternatives to litigation and aim to work closely with families to achieve solutions in the best interests of all involved.

Lorisa offers her clients the wisdom of consensual dispute resolution processes where each voice is heard, sensitive matters are discussed in a confidential non- threatening setting, and the information is shared cooperatively to develop a durable, custom agreements. Above all, negotiations are mindful of competing and aligned interests, and the desire for future strong family relationships.

Lorisa’s toolbox includes her extensive experience as a senior family lawyer, cross-cultural conflict resolution management, workplace investigator, policy analyst and advisor, project leader, trainer, speaker, and published writer. Lorisa is also a certified Family Enterprise Advisor® working with a multidisciplinary teams to resolve family matters from within.

I enjoy helping clients through their separation outside of the court system. I believe the collaborative family law process uniquely empowers couples to make decisions about the legal and practical implications arising from their separation.

Matthew has been actively practicing family law for several years, and became a member of Best4All in 2018. Matthew is a firm believer in collaborative law as a viable form of alternative dispute resolution that helps families who are struggling with the difficult issues arising upon a separation or divorce.

Matthew is an active member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Waterloo Region Law Association (including FLOWR – Family Lawyers of Waterloo Region), and Best4All. Matthew lives in Kitchener with his wife and their two children.

Jennifer is well aware of the financial and emotional burden that litigation can cause and devotes much of her practice to resolving matters outside of court, whether it be through negotiation, collaborative family law or mediation. She is experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of family law, including custody, access, child support, spousal support and property issues and has extensive experience in preparing separation agreements, cohabitation agreements and marriage contracts.

He also provides arbitration and mediation services and is a certified mediator. Frank has restricted his family law practice to the collaborative model because in his experience it results in very creative solutions in the most timely and cost effective manner.

After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University and Osgood Hall Law School, Heather was called to the bar in 2002. Her background includes criminal law and child and family services matters. She has over 14 years of experience, both inside and outside of the courtroom, and has dealt with a wide variety of Family Law matters over the years.

Heather has had cases in Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice and argued at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. She has appeared as counsel for inmates at their disciplinary hearings at the Grand Valley Federal Institution for Women. Areas of practice include: Separation; Divorce; Litigation; Child Custody & Access; Child & Spousal Support; Marriage Contracts; Matrimonial Law; Notary Public and Commissioner; Property Division; Adoption.

He has the training in Collaborative Family Law to assist you and can be reached at (519) 576-7200. Consultations welcome.

Tania articled and worked at two national law firms and worked as in-house counsel at the local children’s aid society before opening her own practice in October 2008. Tania is resolution focused and has experience with negotiation, mediation, and collaborative law. Tania is organized, passionate and committed to her clients. Tania sits on the Board of Directors for a child care center and participates in her neighbourhood association. She is a proud member of the Waterloo Law Association, the Ontario Bar Association and an active member of FLOWR – Family Lawyers of the Waterloo Region.

I act as counsel in mediations and arbitrations. I am a neutral evaluator as well as a trained and experienced mediator and arbitrator. Skills include: effective listening, coaching effective communication, problem solving skills, creative and analytical thinking.

After litigating family law and divorce issues for 25 years Steve now devotes 100% of his family law practice to negotiated settlements and collaborative family law. His goal is to resolve family and divorce issues with dignity and support, with an emphasis on minimizing adult conflict and its adverse effects on any children involved.

She has resolved numerous family law files through the Collaborative Family Law process. Jacqueline is pleased to offer a free one-half hour initial consultation for new clients. Her professional law office is conveniently located near downtown Kitchener.

I have dealt with complex issues dealing with business and partnership interests, family trusts, real estate ventures and professional practices. I joined the Collaborative law practice group when it commenced as I believe in the benefits of a collaboratively negotiated resolution for my client. I have Level I and Level II training and would be pleased to meet with you to review your matter.

Sandra received training in Collaborative Law in 2004 and completed her Collaborative Law Level II Training in 2010. Sandra enthusiastically supports and implements alternative methods of dispute resolution outside the Court system, with emphasis on Collaborative negotiations and goal-oriented solutions.

She has valuable experience in all areas of family law, including specialized training in Collaborative Family Law, mediation and children’s law. Your choice of lawyer is important. We understand the financial and emotional stress of your separation. We’ll review your options so you can make informed choices for your family. Call or email us for more information.

Leanne has been practicing in all areas of family law since 1998. Leanne believes that Collaborative Family Law is the best way for families to achieve mutual resolutions without the need for court. She enjoys serving on the panel for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer for over 14 years, and brings child focused experience to developing creative solutions to help spouses resolve their differences.

Debbie has always been interested in keeping families out of court. When she moved back to Southern Ontario in 2016, Debbie continued to practice family law and dedicated her practice to collaborative conflict resolution and mediation.

Having worked on numerous trials throughout her career, Debbie knew there had to be a better approach that didn’t take such a financial and emotional toll on clients and their children.

“The collaborative approach is the most effective way to resolve issues for separating spouses and their children. We work with financial and family professionals throughout the process to ensure that clients make informed decisions. Lawyers are an integral part of the team, but the clients are the ones in the driver’s seat.”

After her call to the Bar, Kirsty practiced family law litigation where she negotiated complex settlements both in and out of court. She saw firsthand the financial and emotional burden imposed on families through the traditional legal process and knew there was a better way to help clients through one of the most difficult time in their lives.

Kirsty is committed to the Collaborative Process to help clients customize a settlement that is unique to their needs and allows them control over the outcome and decisions made along the way. In addition to being more time and cost effective, Kirsty strongly believes that the Collaborative Process values and protects important relationships and assists clients to move forward with dignity and respect.

In addition to being a collaboratively trained lawyer, Kirsty is also an Accredited Family Mediator with the OAFM. Kirsty provides services in the Waterloo Region and surrounding areas and is pleased to offer a free 30-minute consultation to new clients.

Aubrey’s advanced training includes:
-Global Institute at International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
-Harvard Law School PON & Conrad Grebel University College – Mediation, Conflict Management, and Negotiation
-University of Waterloo & ADR Institute of Ontario – Dispute Resolution Levels 1 & 2
-Integrative Law & Conscious Contracts Practitioner

Aubrey welcomes all modern families in his practice, including LGBTQ2S+. He helps parents to design plans to move forward as a family in two households. He assists clients with parenting plans, separation agreements, and marriage contracts through a collaborative approach. Consultations welcomed.

David has been formally trained as both a family mediator and collaborative legal professional, is accredited as both and was one of the first in the province to receive recognition as an Advanced Collaborative Professional. His skill and experience allow him to handle all family law related matters.

Throughout his career, David has observed and analyzed our legal systems and has spoken widely about reform and change. He has acted as counsel for parents and children in the family justice system and was able to witness firsthand the impact that adversarial processes can have on families in transition. Through his training, he continues to learn new skills for conflict resolution which give the participants the ability to listen, communicate, solve their own differences, both now and in the future.

David believes in authenticity, honesty and being genuine and open with those he assists. He encourages his clients to develop a solution that is right for them and will help design a process that will help to meet an individual’s hopes and goals, while helping to recognize their worries and concerns. In his experience, this has a much greater chance of guiding families to a much brighter future.

Laura recognizes that litigation often does not set families up for success after the separation process. She is committed to providing a collaborative and creative solution for families that is tailored to their unique needs and values. Laura was born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo and received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Religious Studies and History from Queen’s University and her Juris Doctors from both the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. Please contact Laura to set up a consultation.

During her studies, Melissa discovered her affinity for studying relationship dynamics and problem resolution and decided to channel these interests into a practice that focuses mainly on family law and wills and estates. Melissa’s background in psychology frames her methodological approach to the law and the legal field in general.