I am a partner with Brauti Thorning LLP and practice exclusively in the area of family law, with a particular focus on cases involving domestic violence and spousal abuse. Every month I send out a newsletter full of helpful tips, advice and insights that will help you navigate through family law challenges.
Leanne’s Divorcing Well podcast: follow the money
Leanne’s Divorcing Well podcast: follow the moneyThink your soon-to-be ex might be hiding money or assets ahead of your divorce?
Make sure you tune into a recent episode of my Divorcing Well podcast where I spoke with Ryan Bensen, a Forensic and Litigation Accountant. Ryan specializes in complex family law matters involving calculations of income for support and business valuations.
As managing partner of Bensen Professional Corp., Ryan often gets involved in family legal matters where trust has been broken between the parties or where one spouse lacks insight into family finances.
Tips for working smarter with your family law lawyer
Tips for working smarter with your family law lawyerFamily lawyers and their clients don’t always see eye to eye when it comes to legal strategy. In a recent case, a judge ordered a lawyer to pay his client more than $130,000 in damages after ruling he had coerced her into settling her case through mediation.
While the case is an extreme example, family law litigants have options if they feel their lawyer isn’t serving their best interests. In my new blog post, I explain how issues can often be resolved through more open communication.
If your lawyer doesn’t respond to your questions or regularly update you on the progress of your case, speak up. People are sometimes intimidated by lawyers, but it’s important to remember that we work for you. The more you understand, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions.
Say hello to my associates
Team work makes the dream work in our family law office.
Laura Brown is an associate lawyer who practices in the areas of family, criminal, administrative, regulatory and estates law.
She joined the Brauti Thorning team as a summer student in 2018 and returned as an articling student in 2019.
Laura received her Honours B.A. in Kinesiology and B.F.A. in Fine Arts from York University in 2015, where she graduated Summa Cum Lade.
She completed her Juris Doctor at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2019. During her time at Osgoode, she was the co-president of the Osgoode Peer Support Center, where she organized mental health support for the student community.
Laura was also a student caseworker with the Parkdale Community Legal Services Clinic and is an active member of the Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights.
Alyssa Warias is an associate lawyer who practices in the areas of family law and civil litigation.
Prior to joining Brauti Thorning, Alyssa completed the Law Practice Program and worked at a boutique firm, where she practiced a broad range of civil litigation.
Alyssa completed her Juris Doctor at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2019. She has volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada’s Family Law Project, providing legal information and drafting court documents for unrepresented litigants.
She also tutored and facilitated mock trials for high school students through Laws in Action Within Schools.
During her final year of law school, Alyssa worked as a student case worker at the Barbra Schlifer Clinic, assisting women experiencing gender-based violence with their family law issues.
Domestic abuse: the shadow pandemic
Domestic abuse: the shadow pandemicDomestic violence was a serious problem long before the pandemic, but since the onset of COVID-19 it’s worse. Research shows that calls to crisis shelters spiked after March 2020 when victims became trapped at home with their abusers.
Before coronavirus, there were more options for people in abusive situations, like seeking refuge at a shelter. But now, a densely populated shelter could pose a higher risk of contracting the virus, leaving many victims of abuse in dangerous situations.
In a recent Instagram Live with family law lawyer Steve Benmor, we discuss safety strategies for victims of domestic abuse and potential legal arguments that could be made in court.
Check out the replay here.
Serving clients during COVID-19
As we navigate the new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic,
the safety and well-being of clients is my top priority. Social distancing is vital right now to prevent the spread of the virus so I will continue to work with clients through virtual meetings. If you have any questions or concerns about your family law matter or would like to schedule a meeting, please reach out to me by email.
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Looking for more information on what to expect during a divorce, abusive relationships, love and money, life after divorce or other family law topics?
Check out the In the News and Blog sections of my website where there’s a wealth of great content to get you up to speed on everything you need to know.
Partner, Brauti Thorning LLP
Brookfield Place161 Bay Street,
Suite 2900,
Toronto, ON M5J 2S1
