Gary is a certified specialist in family law with an LL.M. in constitutional law. He was called to the bar in Ontario in 1978 and is also a member of the Alberta bar. He has extensive trial and appellate experience at all levels of the courts in both Ontario and Alberta and has appeared as counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada.

A highly respected family law practitioner, Mr. Joseph also lectures frequently in family law, has been an instructor in family law for the Bar Admission course and has published many articles on family law. He is a founding lecturer for the Family Information Session program of the Superior Court of Justice and was recently recognized by the Chief Justice for his efforts in this regard.

Phyllis is a Specialist in Family Law and has practiced in this area since 1989. She has a strong commitment to her clients. She is an effective negotiator and works hard to find a way to resolve even the most difficult of cases. If settlement is not possible, she utilizes her extensive trial experience to bring about the best outcome. Phyllis prides herself on being "tough but fair" and will fight for her client's rights both at the negotiating table and in court. Life experience and maturity has taught her to apply her vast knowledge of family law to successfully resolve even the most complex of family matters.

Phyllis has developed a unique expertise in international child abduction cases and Hague Applications for the return of children from foreign countries. Her high level of proficiency for these often challenging cases is combined with a passion for her clients' interests that is unparalleled.

Phyllis is also at the forefront of practitioners who assist parties with the legal aspects of in vitro fertilization, gestational carriage and donor contracts.

Will completed his undergraduate degree at Bishop's University in Lennoxville Quebec in 1988, graduated from the University of Windsor Law School in 1993 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995. Will practices in all areas of family law and negotiations. His attention to detail and thorough preparation of materials used in litigation, mediation or arbitration has proven invaluable in obtaining favourable results for the firm's clients.

Georgina has practiced family law exclusively for 15 years. As an experienced practitioner, she was appointed a Dispute Resolution Officer in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, a quasi-judicial capacity in which she assists parties in resolving their disputes.  Georgina assists her own clients with often complex property, tax, estate, custody and support issues. She appears regularly in all levels of court in Ontario.   Georgina's approach to family law is solution-based. She invokes alternative dispute mechanisms to assist her clients whenever possible and attempts to resolve matters efficiently and cost-effectively. Georgina is fully trained as a collaborative lawyer and is a member of the Collaborative Family Law Association of Ontario. Georgina has acted as a panel lawyer for the Office of the Children's Lawyer, representing children in custody and access disputes as well as in child protection matters.  Georgina is a popular speaker, writer and teacher of family law. She is an executive member of the family law section of the Ontario Bar Association.

Geoffrey joined the firm in 2004 as an associate. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2003 after receiving his LL.B. from Queen's University. Geoffrey completed his B. Sc. (Hons) at Trent University in 1994 and his M.A. in Business Economics at Wilfred Laurier University in 1995. Prior to practicing law, Geoffrey worked in finance in the telecommunications industry and has adapted those skills to benefit his clients. His practice includes all aspects of matrimonial litigation. Geoffrey is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Ontario Bar Association.

Michael completed his undergraduate degree at University College, University of Toronto, where he graduated with Distinction and received several awards for academic achievement. He studied law at the University of Western Ontario and was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2005. He took part in oral advocacy competitions and worked at the Dispute Resolution Centre, where he developed his negotiation and mediation skills. Michael acquired his interest in family law while working for a prominent London area family lawyer during law school. He focuses on all aspects of family law, including custody, access, support and property issues. His strong work ethic and dedication to achieving the best possible results for clients make him a valued member of the MacDonald & Partners team.

Kim completed her undergraduate Honours degree in History at McGill University. She then obtained her law degree at at the University of Ottawa where she graduated cum laude in 2001 and was called to the Ontario Bar in October 2002. Over the years, Kim has gained invaluable experience through her work for the Washington D.C. Government Prosecution in Child Abuse and Neglect, for the Child Support Team at the Department of Justice in Ottawa, and a battered women's shelter in Montreal. These activities, along with her experience in private practice, have enabled Kim to offer strong legal skills, with an understanding of the client's unique, personal needs. Kim takes a balanced, reasonable approach to her practice, while striving to obtain success for the client. Kim's practice includes all aspects of Family Law.

Christine completed her undergraduate degree at St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, where she graduated with Distinction. She studied law at the University of Western Ontario and was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2005. She volunteered at Community Legal Services on campus, where she developed her advocacy skills. Christine first became interested in family law while working for a general practice firm during her articles. Christine further developed her advocacy skills while working at a North Toronto firm specializing in family law before joining MacDonald & Partners. She focuses on all aspects of family law, with a particular interest in custody and access issues. Christine is dedicated to client needs and takes a reasonable and practical approach to her practice. Christine is fluent in Italian.

Kristy completed her double Honours B.A. at the University of Windsor where she graduated with distinction. She studied law at Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2007. Kristy developed her interest in family law while working for a downtown Toronto litigation boutique. In this role she gained invaluable litigation experience and developed strong advocacy and negotiation skills. Kristy's achievements include successfully representing her client in an eight day precedent setting hearing before the Law Society of Upper Canada Hearing Panel, wherein the Hearing Panel accepted her argument that a licensee's medical condition acted as a complete defence to the allegations of misconduct. Kristy has argued at various levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal. Kristy now brings these skills with her to MacDonald & Partners LLP. Her practice includes all aspects of family law.

Vanessa studied psychology at the University of Toronto.  She graduated from the Faculty of Law at Queen's University in 2008.  She received numerous academic awards for her performance in the law program, including the University Medal in Law – Highest Standing.  Prior to joining MacDonald & Partners LLP, Vanessa worked as a judicial law clerk with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.  She has also worked at the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee and at the International Bureau for Children's Rights. Vanessa practices in all areas of family law and negotiations, with a special interest in children's issues.  She is dedicated to understanding her clients' needs and applying her legal skills to obtain the best possible result.

Julie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from York University in 1999, and her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2002. Julie was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2003, and subsequently worked as Legal Counsel to the Children's Aid Society of Hamilton and Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton over a cumulative period of six years. In her capacity as Legal Counsel for both agencies, she conducted numerous trials, and gained significant experience in all aspects of pre-trial litigation. In June of 2009, Julie obtained a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in Family Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. During the LL.M. program, Julie had the opportunity to explore advanced family law issues in courses taught by leading academics, practitioners, and judges in the field. As part of the LL.M. program, Julie also wrote an extensive research paper on the topic of The Legal and Ethical Duties Owed by Counsel for Children's Aid Societies. Julie joined MacDonald & Partners in 2009. Her practice includes all aspects of family law.

MacDonald & Partners' clients benefit tremendously from Ann's prodigious knowledge of the law and ability to locate the appropriate case law to support their interests. Ann is a research lawyer with 19 years of experience and contributes significantly to the highly respected books produced by the firm. Her experience and skills are also invaluable to the firm in advising its clients and in preparing materials for the courts.

James MacDonald has written the following faqs and articles:

FAQs:

• "My wife and I agreed to divorce via a collaborative process, but she and her lawyer are not cooperating fairly."
• "How can we negotiate our divorce rather than battle it out?"
• "When does my divorce become effective? And what happens after the divorce judgment has been entered?"
  

Gary Joseph and Michael Stangarone have written the following articles:

• Is parallel parenting back?
  Making joint custody work in high conflict cases -- decisions since Kaplanis v. Kaplanis