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    • Practice Areas: Family Law

    Sanaz Golestani

    Sanaz Golestani joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) in 2021 as a Senior Family Lawyer in our Whitby location.

    Sanaz graduated from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Hons. B.A.). She studied law at the University of Ottawa, where she obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) with a specialization in Dispute Resolution & Professionalism. She carried on to study international Family Law by attending Gonzaga University in Florence, Italy. During law school, Sanaz was active in the University of Ottawa’s student legal aid clinic, where she volunteered as a case worker in the Family Law division.

    Prior to joining DSF, Sanaz worked for a boutique law firm in the Halton Region practicing exclusively in family law covering all areas such as property division, child support, parenting time and decision making and spousal support.

    While practicing family law, Sanaz continued with her studies and obtained her LL.M., specializing in family law in 2018 from Osgoode Hall Law School.

    Sanaz has substantial experience in court procedures as well as mediation. Sanaz applies a practical and individualized approach that reflects the unique needs and goals of each of her clients by bringing a human element to the practice of family law.

    Sanaz is fluent in Farsi and is actively involved in the community by working hand in hand with women’s shelters in North York by providing sound legal advice during times of crisis.

    During her free time, Sanaz enjoys yoga, visiting wineries, and spending time with her family and friends.

    She is a member of the Iranian Legal Professionals of Ontario, the Canadian Ontario Bar Association, the Family Law Association and the Law Society of Ontario.




    By Justin Dominic

    Zakiya Bhayat


    Zakiya Bhayat joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) in 2021 as an associate lawyer in our Family Law Group in Toronto. She earned her LL.B. at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, graduating with First Class Honours. While in law school, she worked as a student advisor with the university’s Pro Bono Group where she worked on cases relating to immigration, wills and estates, and a variety of family law matters. During her summers she interned at a boutique family law firm in Toronto. Upon returning to Canada, she obtained her LL.M. at Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar in 2020.

    Prior to joining DSF,  Zakiya advocated on behalf of clients at a boutique family law firm in Toronto where she gained extensive litigation experience in divorce and separation, custody/decision-making, parenting time/access, support, property, and child protection proceedings.

    As a family lawyer, Zakiya has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and although her practice is taking her to the courtroom often for conferences, motions, and trials, she also uses collaborative and alternative processes to reach agreements that are mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

    Outside of the office she enjoys spending her time outdoors, volunteering at community events, and catching up on her favourite Netflix series.

    Notable Cases:

    Proevski v. Roffel, 2020 ONCJ 310 (CanLII)

    Dufort v. Price, 2021 ONSC 2913 (CanLII)

     

     

     

    By Justin Dominic

    Sarah Robus

    Sarah Robus joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (‘DSF’) in 2021 as an associate lawyer in the Family Law group in Barrie. She studied at the University of Ottawa where she obtained an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with Specialization in Criminology and thereafter completed her J.D. at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2019. Prior to joining DSF, Sarah worked for a boutique firm in Mississauga gaining years of experience in family law.

    Sarah helps clients involved in litigation and mediation regarding a wide range of family law issues, including high-conflict parenting issues, child and spousal support, and property division.

    Sarah is settlement-focused and understands that negotiating the resolution of a family law matter can be an emotional and challenging experience for her clients. Her honest and approachable manner places clients at ease and contributes to her success in achieving her client’s goals.

    Outside of the office, Sarah enjoys traveling, skiing, and hanging out with her black lab, Fitz.

    By Justin Dominic
    Family Lawyer Kenna Bromley

    Kenna Bromley


    Family lawyer Kenna Bromley joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2020 as an associate in our Barrie Family Law group. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts and later received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa.

    Prior to joining DSF, Kenna advocated on behalf of clients at a law firm in Orillia where she gained extensive litigation experience in divorce and separation, custody, access, support, property, and child protection proceedings.

    As a Barrie family lawyer, Kenna has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and although her practice is taking her to the courtroom often for conferences, summaries, motions and trials, she also uses collaborative and alternative processes to reach agreements that are mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

    She serves as a panel member for the Office of Children’s Lawyer, County Simcoe, Ontario where she acts as counsel and represents children clients under both the CLRA and CFSA.

    Kenna is also actively involved as a volunteer for various causes including community outreach, charitable events, and currently serves as vice-chair and board member for the Barrie Women and Children’s shelter.

    Outside the court, she spends much of her spare time practicing yoga, exploring healthy cooking and playing golf.

    For more information regarding family law, please contact Barrie family lawyer Kenna Bromley at kenna.bromley@devrylaw.ca

     

    Kenna has acted as counsel for the following reported decisions:

    Balfour v. Balfour, 2019 ONSC 2892 (CanLII)

    Lonsdale v. Smart, 2018 ONSC 3991 (CanLII)

    Kaplan v. Kaplan, 2015 ONSC 1277 (CanLII)

    Graham v. Sherman, 2015 ONSC 1882 (CanLII)

    S.D.G. v. A.S., 2015 ONSC 752 (CanLII)

    Sine v. Bannister, 2016 ONSC 7750 (CanLII)

    By Fauzan Siddiqui No comments yet

    John P. Schuman

    John P. Schuman is certified as a specialist in family law. He is an experienced and respected family lawyer, education lawyer and children’s rights lawyer. John Schuman is the partner heading the family law group at Devry Smith Frank LLP and he has earned the respect of his clients, judges, mediators and arbitrators for his sensible approach to resolving family law issues, his concern for children, and his understanding of complex financial matters.

    John Schuman received his Honours B.A. from Queens University in 1994. He obtained his EMCA (paramedic designation) in 1995. John attended Law School at the University of Windsor, graduating in 1998. He then went on to complete his LL.M. in child and family law at Queen’s University in 1999. John’s thesis on questioning child witnesses was published that same year and remains a frequently cited authority on the proper way to obtain the evidence of children.

    John Schuman has always practised in the areas of family law and children’s rights. He articled at a prominent Toronto litigation firm. After John was called to the bar in 2001, he practised at a firm known for its work in children’s legal issues and family law. He was also counsel for a children’s aid society before joining a prominent Toronto family law litigation boutique. He joined Devry Smith & Frank in 2009.

    John P. Schuman has litigated before every level of court in Ontario, several tribunals, Family arbitration, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Several of John’s cases have been reported in law reports. John’s cases involving children’s rights have been reported in the national media. John has earned the respect of the judges, mediators and arbitrators before whom he appears. In a recent court decision, Justice Sherr wrote “Mr. Schuman’s conduct, in this case, is an example of what lawyers are supposed to do in difficult cases.”

    John has published articles in referred legal journals on the questioning of child witnesses, allegations of abuse when parents have separated, the role children should place in the court process and the rights of children to direct their own medical treatment. John P. Schuman is also the editor of the “Child in the Courtroom” chapter of Wilson on Children and the Law. He is co-author of the Child Protection Proceedings Chapter in Evidence in Family Law. John’s book “Guide to the Basics of Family Law” is available on Amazon – click here or here.

    John is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Association of Family Mediators, the ADR Institute of Ontario, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Collaborative Practice Toronto, the Ontario Paramedic Association and he is on the board of directors of York Collaborative Practice. Outside of the practice of law, he is an avid swimmer, paddler and cyclist and retains an interest in pre-hospital emergency care.

    By Justin Dominic No comments yet

    Todd E. Slonim

    Todd received his B.A. in communication studies from the University of Calgary. While there, he created a documentary film that won Best Human Interest Documentary at the North West International Film Festival in 1999. Todd then attended Cardiff Law School in Wales and completed his LL.B. He returned to Canada to attend Dalhousie Law School, before returning to Toronto to complete his articles with a family law firm.

    Todd is a partner in our family law department. He has been involved with many difficult and complex cases. In addition to appearing at all levels of courts in Ontario, Todd is a proponent of resolving family law matters through Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has achieved excellent results for his clients in mediation and arbitration while avoiding the pitfalls of court proceedings.

    Todd is an accredited family law mediator. He brings an insightful, practical and efficient approach to mediation to help guide the parties towards the resolution of their family law disputes. Todd promotes the mediation process as a positive and reliable alternative to litigation.

    Todd is a trained collaborative family lawyer. He advances the collaborative practice as a practical and alternative process to court to help families achieve settlement in a respectful, creative and cost-effective manner.

    Todd is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, Law Society of Ontario, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Ontario Association for Family Mediation, Collaborative Practice Toronto and York Collaborative Practice.

    By Justin Dominic No comments yet

    Diana L. Solomon

    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 to settle a significant number of her cases out of court. When a case is best served in court, however, Diana is also an effective advocate. She has had cases in all levels of the Ontario court system.

    Diana was an instructor at the Toronto Family Information Sessions. She has written and co-written for Matrimonial Affairs, and sessions at the Advocacy Society and the Family Law CLE sessions. Diana has her certificate in family mediation from York University and holds ADR and Advanced ADR certificates from Stitt Feld Handy.

    Diana received a B.A. from McGill University in 1993. She obtained her LL.B. from Queen’s University in 1997. While at Queen’s Law School, she was awarded the Cassels, Brock & Blackwell Centennial Award in Practice Skills. Diana also participated in Queen’s first French moot court competition in Brussels. Outside of the practice of law, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking, and tennis.

     

    TESTIMONIALS

    • “In the years that I have known Diana Solomon, she has always been knowledgeable, professional and approachable. Seeking legal advice can often be a stressful experience, yet Diana quickly put me at my ease when we met and I always felt that I had her full attention. I was always impressed by her quick grasp of complex issues and in her remarkable ability to demystify them; I always left our appointments confident that I had the full and clear picture. Diana takes time to get to know her clients; she understands the importance of building a relationship with her clients. I will continue to enlist Diana whenever I have need of her services; she is someone I trust. It is clear to me that she takes pride in her work and makes it her mission to do her best for her clients“. – Lily Sarno
    • “During a difficult time, I had the great pleasure of having Diana Solomon represent me in my separation. She guided me through the process, and along with Leisa Heath, the details of my separation were completed with strict guidelines to include my young child. She was very quick to respond with action regardless of the time of day. Diana and Leisa are both very kind, knowledgeable, and professional. I would recommend Diana Solomon to anyone who is going through a separation or divorce as you will not be treated as just a “client”, and she will do everything she can for you. Thank you again for all your help ladies“. – Sonia Ott
    • “I reached out to Diana Solomon to assist me in a family law matter in 2019. I needed to ensure the matter was dealt with on time, and be done with care. Diana was professional and responsive. She delivered on the matter on time, and took the time to answer all of my questions. I would highly recommend Diana to anyone needing legal counsel in family law matters“. – Fatima Bernando
    • “I have been very fortunate to have had the guidance, support and legal expertise of Diana Solomon help me through a very difficult divorce. Without her, my young son and I would not have been able to safely leave an unhealthy situation. Diana always made sure that our safety was her main priority. She worked diligently for countless hours to help me reach a fair agreement that kept our best interests at the forefront. I can’t thank her enough for her compassionate and reliable professionalism that she has demonstrated to help me through this process“. – N.S
    • “Diana Solomon’s years of experience paid off in the courtroom as she delivered precise oral arguments and performed strategic cross-examinations“. – Helen Nichols
    By Justin Dominic No comments yet

    Jennifer Howard

    Toronto 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, drafting and negotiation of cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts and separation agreements as well as trial and appellate advocacy cases.

    Jennifer has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and although her practice is taking her to the courtroom often, she uses collaborative and alternative processes to reach agreements that are mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

    When not busy practising law, Jennifer enjoys tennis, working out and performing arts.

    Noteworthy Cases

    • Taylor v. Boon, 2021 ONSC 5521
    • Vukicevich v. Vukicevich, 2018 ONSC 4022
    • Ruffudeen v Coutts 2016 ONSC 3359 (CanLII) – successful at trial obtaining an Order for sole custody and primary care to a mother notwithstanding a lengthy status quo of shared care.
    • Gilmore v. Gilmore [2014] O.J. No. 6111 (Ont. C.A.) – successfully defended an appeal of a spousal support award at the trial level where the Applicant obtained high range support
    • Deakin v. Deakin, [2012] O.J. No. 6068 – denial of father’s interim travel request to Cuba with child
    • Hayes v. Hanrieder, [2009] O.J. No. 421 – successful at trial obtaining spousal support for a common-law spouse
    • Hernandez v. Hernandez [2009] O.J. No. 617 – interim mobility request and analysis of the children’s best interests
    • Obtained interim Order permitting respondent mother to relocate with the children to Stratford Ontario
    • Obtained Order for child and spousal support based on imputed income to the father who was the director of a corporation
    • Obtained an order for costs of an application at a summary hearing based on the lack of disclosure and unreasonable conduct of the spouse
    • Obtained interim order for unsupervised access for father who had been seeing child on a supervised basis
    • Obtained interim order for respondent father dismissing applicant mother’s request to change the child’s residency and school resulting in the maintenance of the status quo shared parenting arrangement pending trial
    • Successful at trial obtaining indefinite spousal support for spouse following a long term marriage
    • Obtained refraining order for client suspending enforcement of child support arrears
    • Obtained order dismissing motion to sever divorce from corollary relief based on inadequate disclosure and proof of financial arrangements
    • Obtained interim order returning child to respondent mother’s primary care after unilateral removal by father
    • Obtained interim order for high end spousal support to ill spouse
    • Obtained interim order for production of police file for applicant father
    • Obtained interim order for return of child to applicant father that had been arbitrarily removed by mother
    • Obtained interim order for shared parenting for applicant whose mother had a final order for custody of the child
    • Obtained restraining order for respondent husband against wife

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    Timothy Deeth

    Joining Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2014 was very much a homecoming for Tim.

    Following his call to the bar in 1975, Tim practised with (what was then) McClintock, Devry & Pierce for 11 years before leaving to start his own firm.

    Throughout his career, Tim’s practice was focused mainly on Family, Real Estate and Wills and Estates Law and he has vast experience in all three of these areas of law. He has appeared as counsel in family law matters in all levels of courts throughout Ontario.

    Tim particularly enjoys meeting and dealing with clients on a one-on-one basis and always welcomes the opportunity to get to know new clients and help them with their problems, whether it be navigating through a difficult separation or divorce, assisting with the administration of an estate, advising clients on Estate Planning issues and preparing their Wills, or witnessing the excitement of clients in their purchase of a new home.

    As a resident of Don Mills for 40 years, Tim has also been very active in the Don Mills Civitan Club, a community and social service club which, among its numerous projects, operates the hockey programme at the Don Mills Civitan arena for over 500 participants a year ranging in age from seven to 18.

    In the past, Tim has been a panel member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (formerly the Official Guardian’s Office), has sat as a Dispute Resolution Officer (a pilot project in the Scarborough Family Court), and has provided volunteer services at the Agincourt Community Services Association. He has been a member of the Consent and Capacity panel of lawyers each of whom must be specifically designated and approved to appear before the Consent and Capacity Board.

    Tim graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1973, and after articling with (what was then) McClintock, Devry & Pierce, joined the firm upon his call to the bar in 1975 and practiced with them until 1986 when he opened his own law firm.

    He is happily married to his wife, raised four children and has two grandchildren. In December, 2013, Tim received his black belt in Karate.

    By Fauzan Siddiqui No comments yet

    Katelyn Bell

    Katelyn obtained an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from the University of Guelph in 2014 and she completed her J.D. in 2018 at the University of Ottawa. Katelyn was called to the Ontario Bar in 2019.

    Katelyn joined Devry Smith Frank LLP as a summer student in 2017, an articling student in 2018, and an associate in the Family Law Group in 2019. Her legal career has focused exclusively in family law and education law. She has experience both before the courts as well as with mediations and arbitrations.

    When it comes to family law, Katelyn’s approachable and practical mannerisms have earned her much respect and confidence amongst clients and colleagues.

    With her training and experience in family law negotiations, Katelyn is committed to helping her clients avoid conflicts or expensive court battles and reach solutions with a balanced effort.

    In education law, Katelyn takes pride in representing the legal rights of students and their families across the board – both in the private and public school sectors.  Katelyn is committed to working with her clients to determine the best strategy for their challenging educational legal issues.

    When Katelyn is outside the office, she enjoys travelling, the theatre, fictional reading, hot yoga, and spending time with her family (most notably her dog!).

    Katelyn has acted as counsel for the following reported decision:

    By Fauzan Siddiqui No comments yet