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 DominicNovember 11, 2021July 5, 2022
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 DominicMay 27, 2020July 5, 2022 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 DominicMay 27, 2020December 7, 2021 No comments yet
